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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> Monday,January 24,2022 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENTS <br /> There were no public comments. <br /> Mayor Walsh took a moment to speak about the most recent Planning Commission meeting,noting many <br /> people came and spoke, some very graciously and others throwing out some aspersions and things that <br /> were not true.He clarified the City posts all notices 10 days ahead of time in the paper,people can sign <br /> up on ListServe for notifications,and the final agenda comes out 3-4 days in advance.Mayor Walsh <br /> appreciates the enthusiasm of the people but stated when a person says no one else gets to talk because <br /> they are not in communist Russia it diminishes things that person would say after that. When one aligns <br /> themselves with people who cast aspersions and make things up,such as a person who spoke about Big <br /> Woods and Bederwood...he said they all know that Bederwood was not big woods 50 years ago but was <br /> a field,although it is not as good of a story without piping it up and creating a Go Fund Me page.Mayor <br /> Walsh quoted a saying,"Idle hands are the devil's workshop."He would say that idle lands are the same <br /> problem,noting Lurton Park was idle land several years ago and the City went to the family who <br /> graciously donated the land and asked if they could create a dog park.The family wanted to see the land <br /> used and gave permission,the City built fences, structures,worked with the neighbors and now it is <br /> probably one of the best dog parks in the suburbs.Mayor Walsh stated that if any Council in the future <br /> wanted to sell land and raise money and revenue,they can sell any of the land the City owns and there is <br /> nothing the current Council can put in place that couldn't be changed with a vote.He thinks the best park <br /> land that the City has will not be the idle park land.Philosophically,this Council has been very consistent <br /> over the last 7-8 years and they have reconstituted the Park Commission who have done a fabulous job <br /> and have gone through many of the City's parks to add to them and make them better.Mayor Walsh <br /> explained they just went through a$500,000 renovation at Bederwood Park,redoing fields,adding <br /> lacrosse fields,and noted by definition of those who were here before [at the Planning Commission <br /> meeting] it benefits only a small number of people and the City should not do that.He stated again that <br /> idle lands do not do anyone good and they have always wanted all parks to have as much going on as <br /> possible,with all of the sports,and they would love to have those sports happen within the City rather <br /> than driving to practice in other cities.Mayor Walsh shared that when he and Mr.Printup were on a <br /> previous Council,the late Mr.Dayton had land he was selling to a developer which had a beautiful, open <br /> field area.Mr.Dayton put in his will that he wanted to preserve all the grasslands and Mayor McMillan <br /> wanted to preserve the big woods but not the fields so she allowed a house to be built into the fields. <br /> Mayor Walsh noted the only people who were fighting for the Dayton family at that point were Mayor <br /> Walsh and Mr.Printup and that was because it was in Mr.Dayton's will.Mayor Walsh asked where was <br /> everyone then?They were nowhere to be found.He noted this was eventually passed and they haven't <br /> heard a word since.Mayor Walsh clarified the City Council is about taking care of the parks and making <br /> them as useful to as many people as possible.He reiterated that no one is giving away a park and that <br /> everyone deserves to be heard without being disparaged because no one deserves to be told that they do <br /> not have a say.He stated the City Council will always hear everyone and will continue to do so,which is <br /> why all of the people were allowed to be heard at the Planning Commission meeting.He noted they also <br /> received many letters in support of the project and the City Council's job is to sort it out and do what they <br /> believe is the best thing for the City, especially upon lands that have no restrictions. <br /> Seals noted it was very apparent the previous week that the conversation was being held on social media <br /> and said that is frustrating because many residents were upset by misinformation. She would like to form <br /> Page 2 of 5 <br />