City resubmits grant application

By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Lincolnville City Council hired Leonard Meyer of rural Lincolnville to trap skunks that are running rampant in town.

“There is an abundance of skunks in Lincolnville,” Mayor Barb Kaiser said Monday.

The animals, sometimes complete families of them, come out at dusk and wander through the neighborhood. City maintenance worker Troy Peterson placed much of the blame on brush piles, patches of tall weeds, and shoddy or vacant buildings that provide habitat for the pests.

Meyer agreed to trap the animals at a cost of $25 per animal. The city will pay $5 for each trip to town. The city will be responsible for the safety of the traps, which Meyer values at $60 each.

Residents are asked to call the mayor if they spot skunks in their area. Kaiser will then contact Peterson, who is the contact person for Meyer. He will report back to the council at its next meeting, which will be Sept. 10 because the Labor Day holiday falls on the first Monday of the month.

Grant facilitator Rose Mary Saunders presented paperwork for council members’ signatures, to go along with an application for a grant to renovate the sewer system. This is the second year the application is being submitted.

The council approved the 2012 budget, which is virtually unchanged from the previous year.

Key Convenience store was granted a renewal of its liquor license.

Celebrations and events chairman Kristen Ebaben reported receipts of more than $700 from the concession stand at the ball park. The council approved a donation of $1,500 in city funds to the Octoberfest fund.

Community center chairman Cristina Peterson reported that several public entities which use the community building free of charge on a regular basis are not cleaning up after they meet as required. She noted they use supplies such as paper towels and bath tissue, as well as kitchen towels, without offering to cover the cost. She was instructed to send letters reminding the groups to do the required cleanup after use.

Streets chairman Mark Pagenkopf will order cold mix for fixing potholes in city streets.