In a recent city council meeting, members discussed the renewal of a business license for the only methadone clinic in Lewiston, which passed with a vote of 7 to 3. The council clarified that this was a routine renewal, not the establishment of a new facility.

The meeting also addressed proposed amendments to the city's personnel policies, specifically regarding the social media policy. The updates, initiated by the director of marketing and communications, aimed to modernize the policy, which previously referenced outdated platforms like MySpace. The revised policy emphasizes the First Amendment rights of city employees while advising them to \"avoid\" certain types of posts that could reflect poorly on the city.

Councilors raised concerns about the ambiguity of the language in the policy, particularly the use of \"should avoid\" rather than more definitive terms. Some members expressed that the policy could be perceived as a \"social media gag order,\" potentially discouraging employees from expressing their opinions. Public comments echoed these sentiments, with residents questioning the enforceability of the policy and the potential chilling effect it could have on free speech.

After extensive discussion, the council ultimately voted to table the proposed amendments indefinitely, allowing for further review and consideration of employee feedback before any changes are enacted. This decision reflects a desire to ensure that the policy is clear, fair, and respects the rights of city employees while maintaining the integrity of the city's operations.