Waterville City Council approves $750,000 for housing, nonprofit agencies

WATERVILLE — The City Council has earmarked hundreds of thousands of dollars in remaining American Rescue Plan Act funding to go toward a housing initiative and nonprofit agencies.

The council’s final vote Wednesday approved spending the $750,205, with $550,205 for housing and $200,000 for nonprofit organizations.

The money was what remained of the $1.6 million the city has received in ARPA money. About $800,000 has been used for diversion efforts to help people avoid homelessness; Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter operations; renovations to the City Hall Annex at 46 Front St., where the council meets; bonuses for city staff members; outside agency funding; and city positions.

The council took the first of two votes March 21 needed to fund a housing initiative and more outside agencies. The vote came after Councilor Rien Finch, D-Ward 6, proposed giving $175,000 to Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Waterville Historical Society, Maine Children’s Home, Starfish Village, Greater Waterville Area Food Bank, Winslow Community Cupboard and Waterville Community Land Trust/Kennebec Messalonskee Trails/South End Neighborhood Association. The Central Maine Recovery Group was also added to the list, and $25,000 was designated for each organization.

Finch proposed an amendment to the final vote Wednesday that would require all applicants for the funds to report back to the council no later than April 1, 2025, with how the money was used or allocated. His amendment was approved 7-0.

The city’s Housing Committee has been exploring long-term housing initiatives, including a possible land fund and a revolving loan fund. Over the past few years, the council and city’s ARPA Advisory Committee have identified more housing as a top priority for Waterville.

SOLAR VOTE, FIRE CHIEF AWARD

The City Council took the first of two votes Wednesday needed to rezone property on Webb Road for a solar farm proposed by Leo St. Peter. The Planning Board recommended the zone change March 27 from general industrial to solar farm district.

In other matters, Ken Gagnon, a Democrat, joined the council Wednesday after being elected Tuesday to the Ward 5 seat that Mike Morris vacated when he became mayor. Gagnon, who was sworn into office by City Clerk Patti Dubois, is a former city councilor and state representative.

City Manager Bryan Kaenrath announced that fire Chief Shawn Esler was named Fire Chief of the Year last week by the Maine Fire Chief’s Association. Kaenrath described the recognition, presented at Sunday River in Newry, as a “big deal.”

“Thank you, Shawn — a well-deserved award,” he said.

Anna Holdener of the South End Neighborhood Association announced several annual events lined up for the month of April, including a bicycle repair event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday and Saturday, April 20, which is seeking volunteers who know how to repair the bikes. The bicycles will be given to South End youths and others throughout the Waterville area in May. Holdener said lunch will be provided.

The bicycle swap is scheduled for May 4, with bikes to be given to South End residents from 10 to 11 a.m., and to others from 11 a.m. to noon, according to Holdener.

She said a South End cleanup is planned for 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 27. Volunteers are expected to clean parks, trails and streets, and then be treated to a pizza lunch.