HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-12-10 02-50 RESOLVECOUNCIL AMON
Ilam No.p1=5B
Date: 12-10-01
Item/Subject Resolve, Calling Upon State and Federal Officials to Work Diligently to Insure the
Preservation of an Active Bangor and Aroostook Rail System.
Responsible Department: City Coundl
Commentary:
As you are aware, the Bangor and Aroostook Rail System is cvoently experiencing significant
financial difficulties. Negotiations are also underway for the potential sale of the system to a new
operator.
Stable and efficient rail service is essential to the economy of Northam and Eastern Maine. In
addition, effort should be devoted to preserve the system in its current fonn to Insure that all areas
of Northern and Eastern Maine continue to be seared and that the system can continue to
interchange with rail networks both to the South and Me East and West.
The attachetl resolve, which has been requested! by Coundl Chair Crowley, calls upon our federal
and state officials to assist in the preservation of this system and, where possible, to devote
available resources to insuring Mat the existing ail system Is maintained In such a manner as to
Insure stable, efficient, and economically viable service to Northern and Eastern Maine.
The City has been in communication with both federal and state officials on Mis subject, and this
resolve will formalize our concerns.
Budget Approval
Finance Director
Legal Approval:
So d or
IntroducedPassage
First
[ Pasage
_ First Reading page_of
Referral
Department Head
Managers Comments:
Recommend approval.
Ory Man ¢r
Associated Information: Resolve
Budget Approval
Finance Director
Legal Approval:
So d or
IntroducedPassage
First
[ Pasage
_ First Reading page_of
Referral
r. i Netted to Caouciloc tlealley
CITY OF BANGOR
oc=.ober ta, zool
(TIRE.) Resolve, Calling Upon State and Federal Officials to Work Diligently to insure the
Preservation of an Active Bangor and Aroostook Rail System.
WHEREAS, the Bangor and Aroostook rail system is currently experiencing financial difficulties
which may result in bankruptcy; and
WHEREAS, the potential also exists for the system to be sold to a new operator; and
WHEREAS, the economic vitality of Maine based industries that ship commodities depends
upon competition within and between a variety of modes of transportation; and
WHEREAS, the economic strength of Maine's ports requires multiple options for accessing the
North American rail system; and
WHEREAS, future economic development opportunities in Northern and Eastern Maine depend
upon an active and efficient rail network; and
WHEREAS, all Maine citimns and businesses have access to lower cost energy supplies when
the State has a healthy and efficient rail network; and
WHEREAS, loss of any part of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad System will result in lost jobs
in the railroad Industry and may result in more job reductions in industries
dependent on rail as a transportation option; and
WHEREAS, the State has available W it certain resources which may be important in improving
the Bangor and Aroostook Rail System in a manner which will encourage the
growth of freight traffic and assist in developing stable and economically viable rail
service in Northern and Eastern Maine.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR THAT
we urge state and federal officials to assist in the effort to preserve an active Bangor and
Aroostook rail system in its current form with continued connections to the Port of Searsport,
Canadian Pacific in Montreal, Canadian National in Van Buren, Eastern Maine Railway in
Brownville, and the Guilford Rail System in Hermon. To this end, we further urge state and
federal officials to carefully monitor current bankruptcy proceedings, sale negotiations, and to
identify strategies which can be implemented by government to insure that Northern and
Eastern Maine is provided with both stable and efficient rail transportation.
IN CITY MUNCIL
Deceeher 10, 2001
Notion Made and Seconded
far Passage
Passe
CLE6H
# 02-50
Ne30L4H
(MILE ,) Caning Upon State and Federal
Offic' s to vbrk Diligently to Insure
the Preservation of an Active Burger and
Assigned to Councilor W4