Waterville community organizations get funding approvals, but resident spars with council over transparency centralmaine.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from centralmaine.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Funding outside organizations triggers debate on Waterville’s budget priorities
Some councilors on Tuesday questioned whether the city should commit to funding certain organizations in the proposed budget, while others said the city has the money to do so.
WATERVILLE Should the city donate money toward community service groups?
That controversial question is prompting city councilors to debate other key budget priorities whether to fund a new economic development position at the Central Maine Growth Council, or cut the tax rate as they examine tens of thousands of dollars in municipal funding.
The debate started Tuesday night as the council considered funding the Alfond Youth & Community Center with $10,000 each year for three years; $15,000 for Kennebec Valley Community Action program; and $43,500 for the growth council. Councilors also discussed another $100,000 for a three-year period to hire a person who would be dedicated to economic development
Waterville and a local land trust awarded $50,000 grant for South End housing
The grant from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Wells Fargo for the city and Waterville Community Land Trust was one of only eight awarded to cities around the country that are working to create safe, affordable housing.
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One of Waterville Community Land Trust’s houses on 181 Water St. in the South End on Sept. 24, 2018. Waterville and the land trust were awarded a $50,000 grant to develop housing in the South End.
Morning Sentinel file
WATERVILLE The city and Waterville Community Land Trust have been awarded $50,000 from the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Wells Fargo CommunityWINS Program to be used by the land trust to help create access to safe, affordable housing in a South End neighborhood.