With concerns over the economic consequences of COVID-19 and the cautions and restrictions that have come with it, Council Chairman Dale Hamilton said the pandemic “will certainly play a factor as we budget for this year and potentially into future years’ budgets.”
Council tables emergency services contract
ELLSWORTH Citing “no progress” in negotiations with Northern Light Medical Transport prior to a scheduled Jan. 21 Emergency Medical Services Committee meeting, interim City Manager Glenn Moshier told the City Council on Jan. 11 that he was “hopeful we can bring it back to the next council meeting.”
The EMS Committee last met on Dec. 15, when Moshier recommended a three-year contract that met with reluctant approval from its members. The issue was tabled at the Dec. 21 council meeting because of a lengthy agenda.
The Northern Light-operated ambulance service surprised the city with a request for a service contract last year, as an existing agreement to house NLMT personnel in the Fire Department has provided Ellsworth with ambulance service at no cost since 2018. That agreement ends in August.
City manager hire finalized
ELLSWORTH With the full approval of the City Council, Police Chief Glenn Moshier was named city manager on Jan. 11.
Moshier joined the Police Department 17 years ago and has served as police chief since 2017. He was named interim city manager in September 2020 following former City Manager David Cole’s retirement. Moshier will retain some of his duties as police chief and the title. His new merged position starts Jan. 17.
“I look forward to bringing the community together, opening lines of communication and working with the groups to address the needs of the city,” Moshier said following the council’s unanimous vote.
Council backs off on limiting street vendorsÂ
ELLSWORTH â Council members approved amendments to three city ordinances and tabled changes to street vendor permit rules at their Dec. 21 meeting.
The changes proposed to the License and Permits Ordinance would raise the permit fee for street vendors selling food and other merchandise on public property from a $10 flat fee to $110 for 30 consecutive or non-consecutive days, but the discussion raised concerns among councilors.
âThat could cover Girl Scout cookie [sales],â Councilor Michelle Kaplan said, along with door-to-door sales. âWhat about the Snap-on Tool guy? The Schwanâs [Home Delivery] guy?â
And Chairman Dale Hamilton pointed out, âThis doesnât distinguish between when someone sold for one Saturday versus the entire summer. One day is less impactful than somebody whoâs going to do it every single weekday.â
Northern Light updates council on vaccine rolloutÂ
ELLSWORTH â Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Centerâs director of clinical education, Dr. Jim Jarvis, presented COVID-19 vaccine information to the City Council on Dec. 21. He was joined by Senior Physician Executive at Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital Dr. Mike Murnik and Director of Communications Kelley Columber.
The information session followed Councilor Robert Millerâs COVID-19 Education slideshow he said would be made available on the city of Ellsworthâs website. Miller has been a pharmacist for 25 years and a disaster pharmacist since 2002.
The Northern Light team attended the meeting virtually to âlet the community know what to expectâ with vaccine distribution, potential allergic reactions and other questions arising out of the emergence of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.