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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD <br />JULY 25, 1994 <br />BID AWARD NORTH BROWN ROAD RECONSTRUCTION (CONTINUED) <br />City Administrator Moorse explained that if there were to be assessments considered on this <br />project, a public hearing would have to be held before the bid could be awarded. <br />Dennis Kirby, 1020 Nonh Brown Road, did not feel there was opposition to the road but there <br />was a problem with assessments. <br />Armand Brachman. 1990 West Farm Road, commented that he moved to Orono because of the <br />rural residential character of the area. He felt that two issues to be considered were the degree <br />to which the road needs to be improved and who will pay for the road. He felt that a uniform <br />process needs to be established to address the current and fumre road improvement needs. Who <br />should be responsible for assessments should also be considered. <br />Mayor Callahan reiterated that if the bid were accepted at this meeting, there would be no <br />assessments. He continued that comments made about this being a collector road were <br />compelling arguments to consider. The gap of $25,000 is not a major amount for the City and <br />felt, in this case, the bid should be awarded with no assessments to the residents. <br />It was moved by Hurr, seconded by Jabbour, to award the bid for the Brown Road North <br />reconstruction project and the Watertown Road culvert replacement project to the low bidder <br />Buffalo Bituminous, contingent upon MSA approval, in the amount of $473,614 for Brown Road <br />and $92,892.50 for the Watertown Road culvert with no special assessments to the residents. <br />Ayes 5, nays 0. <br />George Johnson asked about the 8’ bike path. Cook explained that the 8’ width was a <br />recommendation from the Park Commission and was not a requirement of MSA funds. <br />Kelley asked how difficult it was to get variances for MSA funds. Cook explained there was <br />an application and then a panel review. He added it would be difficult to get a variance <br />approved. <br />Gerhardson stated that the road is failing because of bad soils. Reconstruction of the road would <br />be necessary even if it were maintained at the current width which would be costly and then <br />MSA funds could not be used. <br />Tom Lane, 915 North Brown Road, e.xpressed his concern with the bike path being within 25’ <br />of his front door. He asked if the bike path were necessap^ to use MSA funds. Mayor Callahan <br />responded that the path would not b necessary but the City Council and Park Commission have <br />a policy for the location of bike paths throughout Orono. This is one of the recommended areas <br />and it is more economical to construct it at tlie same time as the road is upgraded. <br />Schroeder agreed that plans for the road are the minimum that can be achieved and still receive <br />MSA funds. He thought the bike path would be located closer to the road by the Lane <br />residence. <br />Carol Parrish, 1995 West Farm Road, had no problem with the road but was not excited about <br />the addition of the bike path. Mayor Callahan explained that the bike path will eventually <br />connect to other paths within the City connecting the Luce Line, schools and Baker Park.