York selectmen ink deal for Comprehensive and Climate Action plans
YORK, Maine –– The Board of Selectmen signed off Monday on a service agreement with independent contractor CivicMoxie to complete a Comprehensive Plan and Climate Action Plan for a contract fee of $336,430.
Planning Director Dylan Smith referred to the Massachusetts-based firm as the cream of the crop during. Smith will serve as the project manager, and CivicMoxie will facilitate the planning process.
The Planning Board chose and recommended CivicMoxie to the Board of Selectmen last April, but the project was delayed due to a request for proposal review process and because the board asked CivicMoxie to add the CAP alongside the Comp Plan update.
YORK, Maine Although the Long Sands Beach seawall took a beating during last week’s storm, Town Manager Steve Burns said the new barrier held up well.
“You could really see the difference,” Burns said, describing how the storm surge beat down on the new construction, with little or no ill effect.
That was the good news.
How the repair project will be paid for continues to cause concern.
Triggered by massive storms in 2017 and 2018, the seawall repairs are expected to cost several million dollars. As previously reported, Director of Public Works Dean Lessard had anticipated most of the cost would be reimbursed by state and federal funds; however, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has still not authorized payments.
KITTERY, Maine With a stern letter in late 2019, Town Council Chairperson Judith Spiller vowed that Kittery will vigorously protect and defend her borders against any claims raised by the town of York.
Unfazed by the warning, the York Board of Selectmen authorized the filing of a border dispute lawsuit against Kittery, arguing the meandering town line that appears on current maps doesn t match the straight-line border that was legally established in 1653.
But that threat of legal action is still nothing more than a threat.
More than a year after York s selectmen gave their town manager and town attorney the go-ahead to file suit against Kittery in York County Superior Court, no such lawsuit has been filed.
The hospital had hoped to hold a vaccination clinic this week for Mainers 70 and older.
By Dan Bancroft and Steven Porter
yorkweekly@seacoastonline.com
YORK, Maine After state officials loosened the eligibility criteria for COVID-19 vaccinations last week, York Hospital held its first vaccination clinic Saturday that included members of the public 70 or older.
York Hospital spokesperson Jean Kolak said the clinic went well, with nearly 300 people receiving vaccines. That included 135 health care providers and first responders under Phase 1a and 161 residents age 70 or older under Phase 1b, she said.
People are clearly eager to receive the vaccine, and the hospital looks forward to meeting the need, Kolak said.
York s new Mt. Agamenticus lease includes bathroom, parking upgrades
By Dan Bancroft
YORK, Maine Representatives from the town and York Water District gathered Monday at the summit of Mt. Agamenticus to ceremonially lock in the terms of a new lease agreement at the site.
The amendment extends the term of the present lease through 2050, and it provides for two 20-year renewal terms. The goal is to guarantee long-term public access to the town-owned land atop the mountain while protecting the water district’s interests regarding water quality.
In addition to the extension, the amendment allows for the widening of the access road, if needed, formalizes existing parking areas and provides for composting toilets and the bathroom buildings to house them to be built at the base and the summit.