March 29, 2024
Archive

County officials willing to work on town requests

DOVER-FOXCROFT – Piscataquis County commissioners advised Greenville officials in a recent letter that they are willing to contribute to some projects in the community, such as the municipal airport.

Greenville Town Manager John Simko had asked the commissioners to help fund certain projects that benefit residents in both Greenville and the unorganized territories.

He said Greenville pays the highest per capita county tax of any Piscataquis town, yet receives little service from the county because of its geographic location.

To improve the disparity, Greenville selectmen recommended that the county:

. Contribute to the local share for capital improvements at the Greenville Municipal Airport.

. Contribute to airport mowing costs.

. Fund portions of the Greenville Junction revitalization plan that fall within Moosehead Junction Township.

. Help the town pursue grants.

. Support the town’s efforts to secure permanent snowmobile trail routes in the unorganized territories.

. Provide more law enforcement patrol coverage.

. Support the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council and future county bond efforts.

. Contribute financially to the town’s recreation program.

In his reply on behalf of the commissioners, County Manager Michael Henderson said the commissioners do not support a donation for the mowing of grass, but have increased the county’s contribution toward capital improvements at the airport.

Although the county has donated money for mowing at the airport on one occasion in the recent past, the commissioners believe that continuing the practice would lead to other communities requesting similar services from the county, he noted.

Henderson advised Greenville officials that the commissioners agreed that improvements in Moosehead Junction should be financed through the unorganized territories budget. He also noted that he was willing to work with the town to secure Department of Transportation funds for the project and agreed to assist in securing permanent snowmobile trail routes.

As for the extra law enforcement patrol coverage, the commissioners offered to facilitate a discussion between all municipal officials in the county and representatives of all law enforcement agencies.

The commissioners were not supportive of a donation to the town’s recreation program. Henderson said the commissioners believed this move would be politically unpopular with other area service center communities that provide similar services to neighboring communities, whether unorganized territories or municipalities.

Henderson also noted that county officials have and will continue to strongly support the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council.


Have feedback? Want to know more? Send us ideas for follow-up stories.

comments for this post are closed

You may also like