HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-19 Infrastructure Committee Minutes INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Monday, May 19, 2025 @ 6:15 PM
Penobscot Room, Lower Floor of Penquis CAP
MEETING MINUTES
City Councilors Present: Beck, Dean, Fish, Fournier, Leonard, Pelletier,
Tremble.
City Staff Present: Davis, Huotari.
Chair Dean called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
1. UPDATE: HAMPDEN WASTE FACILITY & MUNICIPAL WASTEHUB
Public Works Director Aaron Huotari and Michael Carroll, Executive Director of
Municipal WasteHub, presented to the Committee and provided an update on the
Hampden waste facility and Municipal WasteHub.
Chair Dean asked why the anaerobic digester cannot be utilized until 2026— Public
Works Director Huotari responded that this is due to the extensive lead time for
production.
Councilor Leonard commented on the need to educate the public regarding the
new facility and what kinds of waste are acceptable. WasteHub Executive Director
Carroll responded and detailed education efforts.
Councilor Fournier asked how much money is being spent on the new facility —
WasteHub Executive Director Carroll responded and detailed the costs.
Councilor Tremble asked about disposal of small propane tanks — WasteHub
Executive Director Carroll responded and clarified efforts to create disposal
mechanisms for these. Tremble also asked what would happen with Public Works
Director Huotari's seat on the WasteHub board when he leaves his position with
the City — Huotari responded and clarified.
2. PRESENTATION: PROPOSED EMERALD ASH BORER PLAN
Public Works Director Aaron Huotari presented the agenda item.
Sophie Cameron, University of Maine student gave a presentation on the proposed
plan for addressing emerald ash borers.
Councilor Fournier asked to clarify how frequently treatments are to be
administered — Cameron responded and clarified.
Councilor Beck asked how tree values are calculated — Cameron responded and
clarified.
Chair Dean expressed support for the plan and discussed at length with Cameron
and Public Works Director Huotari.
Councilor Leonard asked if there are potential negative effects caused by
surrounding communities not taking similar measures to address emerald ash
borer infestations— Cameron responded and clarified how the proposed treatment
plan will continuously protect the City's ash trees.
Councilor Tremble asked what attracts emerald ash borers to ash trees specifically
— Cameron responded and clarified that they are a species-specific insect and
have co-evolved with the trees they feed on.
3. UPDATE: MAINEDOT BROADWAY BRIDGE
City Engineer Jefferson Davis presented to the Committee and provided an update
on the Broadway bridge replacement project.
Councilor Tremble asked if the project is on schedule — City Engineer Davis
responded that they expect to have it completed by the originally anticipated date.
Discussed traffic safety issues with Tremble.
City Engineer Davis thanked Public Works Director Aaron Huotari for his work for
the City.
Councilor Fish provided additional comments on traffic safety issues with the
Broadway bridge project.
Meeting adjourned at 6:50 P.M.
Meeting minutes respectfully submitted,
Sarah Maquillan
Admin. Asst.
C&ED