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ORONO COUNCIL MEETING HELD JANUARY 28, 1991 <br />COUNCIL INTERVIEWS CONTINUED <br />and spends time reconsidering all of the issues first considered <br />by the Planning Commission. I believe this to be a waste of the <br />Planning Commission's talents." <br />Callahan asked Mr. Minkema to give nis opinion regarding the <br />Stubbs Bay sewer problem. <br />Mr. Minkema replied, "I reside in the Stubbs Bay sewer area, <br />and appeared before the Council two years ago asking about that <br />very problem. I have had e.xperience auditing and working with <br />other municipalities and school districts. Ten years ago, a <br />sewer project such as this would have qualified for federal <br />financing and state-matching grants. That funding is no longer <br />available. It is obvious, from walking in the area, that there <br />is a problem with the existing septic systems. However, I <br />believe that a $16,000 assessment is a little high just to be <br />able i;o flush a toilet. That does not include connection <br />charges. The value of the homes in that area average $38,000, <br />some are less than that. The City may have to decide whether the <br />houses should continue to exist, and if so, then the City may <br />have to absorb some of the cost of this project." <br />Mayor Peterson's question partained to Mr. Minkema's <br />involvement with the City Facilities Committee. She asked, "Do <br />you feel there is something in particular thfit you did not get <br />from that Committee. Is there any information you would hope to <br />see when the group reconvenes?" <br />Mr. Minkema replied, "In opinion, it seems that all of <br />the Committae members did not feel we were done. There were no <br />further notices or information as to whether the project was <br />being put on hold or would proceed. The papers reported that the <br />price tag had been inflated, yet a site had not been selected and <br />building sire and specifications h-id not been determined. I <br />think we were putting the cart before the horse. Tie estimate is <br />3.6 million dollars, but we have not seen a plan. How can <br />materials be chosen to equal that amount when the building <br />location is unknown? I wou .d assu.me that everyone on the <br />Cobunittee is anxious to reconvene and continue the planning <br />process." <br />Council had no further questions for Mr. M..nkema. Mayor <br />Peterson thanked him for his presentation and asked Charles <br />Kelley to present his information next. <br />Mr. Kelley stated that he and his wife had moved into Orono <br />in 1978. He said, "I became an Ovono Planning Commission member <br />in 1931 and have served as a member and more recently. Chairman, <br />since that time. The reason I became I involved was because of <br />the rural residential acreage. I wanted to live in a community <br />with my children where we could have outdoor recreation and see <br />- 10 - <br />M'.-.