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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> JANUARY 23,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> CITY ADMINISTRATORJENGINEER REPORT <br /> Edwards said he had just a couple updates. Since our last meeting,we've held two open houses, one on <br /> golf course improvements through the Parks Commission, and the other on the Fox street resurfacing <br /> project. Those were on the 10th and 11th,respectively.And then just as an announcement,there'll be a <br /> repeat,it's just the same open house again,for those who weren't able to make the first one. There'll be a <br /> golf course, improvements open house tomorrow here in the council chambers from 6 to 8 pm. <br /> Seals said it was her understanding the council will get an update on the golf course improvements after <br /> Parks looks at it. When will we get an update from the Fox Street Open House?How did the open house <br /> go? <br /> Edwards said the open house was fine. We had a handful of residents show up to express opinions about <br /> the project. Pretty much everybody was in support of what we were proposing to do so there was really <br /> nothing controversial. We didn't really learn any new. Sometimes on the road open houses we'll learn <br /> about a drainage issue that's particular to a certain part of the corridor or something like that. We didn't <br /> really get any of that kind of feedback. So right now,we're looking at just continuing to move the project <br /> forward. <br /> RECESS AND RECONVENE <br /> Mayor Walsh recessed the meeting at 6:28 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 6:34 p.m. Council <br /> Member Crosby was no longer present at the meeting. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENTS <br /> James Elder, 195 South Brown Road, Orono. I want to add my voice to the requests for an open and <br /> public discussion of the costs and benefits of establishing a go-it-alone Orono fire department. I'm a <br /> retired firefighter like Councilman Crosby.But I'm agnostic regarding the name that goes on the truck. I <br /> don't care what it is.But what I do care about is the cost and quality of fire service. Based on costs <br /> already incurred to date,but absent any information from Orono, I've estimated that the incremental costs <br /> from both operating costs and capital outlays could reach or exceed$4 million.As citizens and taxpayers <br /> of Orono we have a right and you the obligation to present to us a good faith estimate of the costs and to <br /> justify how this major expenditure improves our current and future fire protection. I think we need a <br /> public examination of this endeavor as Long Lake did two months ago. It may well be that after full <br /> disclosure of the costs of a go-it-alone Orono fire department,the best solution would be to return to the <br /> bargaining table with Long Lake and come to a mutually beneficial agreement. That is my hope. <br /> Brad Erickson, 2485 Independence Road. It's very unfortunate that Mr. Crosby for the third time in a row <br /> found it necessary to run out of the meeting before I had a chance to speak to him. <br /> Walsh asked, and you live in Independence?Where do you live? <br /> Mr. Erickson said I live in Independence. My business is in Orono and has been. So don't act like this. <br /> You know where this is going.Let me share something with you, smart ass. This is the protest that your <br /> boy was attending down there at the governor's mansion. See this here?(holds up photo board)I don't <br /> Page 7 of 12 <br />