[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6278098,"mediaKeyId","2643027-aff33bb2516f40dd0fb87b7d540295ed","parentId",2643027,"title","Council questions 85 Park Street 911 center costs; staff say utilities will be billed and invoiced to partner","audioSeconds",211,"startMs",1762000,"endMs",1973000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643027-aff33bb2516f40dd0fb87b7d540295ed&start=1762&end=1973","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643027-aff33bb2516f40dd0fb87b7d540295ed/thumbnail_1762000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6278098/Lewiston/Androscoggin-County/Maine/Council-questions-85-Park-Street-911-center-costs-staff-say-utilities-will-be-billed-and-invoiced-to-partner","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278098-92b49943e91fc14d4b371d1b060d7fb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773611349&Signature=gQOU6Vt2b97Eo-0sE7GcTq4pqLOlZ379R63lyUli8k~jMKACQv4ZlOzCcCNbD9-DRDCX2C1zZDREJeDy-iNHyG75RIJQzZdC7eebhjWZAq1FwGtp-X4eeAkrxTcbpq4yR~GpSVK4A~FgqWWQ1c99J5NEUVzaGseXRjrszkPExybWaGLX4MB1CltjYdzHyNJSVtMGXTEbwjONoKJFY5wSlTaH9K2JWOilgvS6jveIwOXsENuuEvXmKw3k598hkM6YMM60-7Q4Tzsf5sUXmTpoibfrHQVhOh~wp4RreypHlYM~fS2yIfKajm5d~M3gehGWXbYIYyguTR4CBlZnekiXhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lewiston","date","2025-03-14T00:35:30Z","article","Councilors pressed staff for clarity about operating costs for the new 85 Park Street site planned to house the regional 911 center.

When Councilor Chittum asked whether utilities and other operating expenses would be shared between Lewiston and Auburn once 911 moves in, staff said Lewiston will maintain the building and pay utilities upfront and then invoice 911 for its portion. Public Works staff also said routine operating costs beyond utilities (cleaning, some maintenance) will be the city’s obligations until formal agreements are executed. \"We will be paying the entire utilities for the building,\" a city representative said, adding that invoices would be sent to 911/Auburn for repayment.

Councilors asked whether the presence of the building off the tax roll creates a hidden cost; staff agreed to raise that question with the 911 committee and to work out lease or cost‑sharing details as move-in approaches. Staff also said significant renovations to outfit the space for 911 operations are being funded through the LCIP/bond requests noted elsewhere in the budget and that the two cities will coordinate on those capital decisions.

Ending: Staff said they will follow up with the 911 committee on formal lease terms and cost-allocation language before the facility is occupied.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Workshop 03/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors asked who would pay utilities and operating costs after 911 moves into 85 Park Street; Public Works staff said Lewiston will initially maintain utilities and invoice 911 for its share, and that renovation costs are being split between the two cities.","taxTitle","Lewiston, Androscoggin County, Maine","taxId",2584,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6278103,"Maine paid family and medical leave: Lewiston budgets employer share as payroll contributions begin",527,560000,1087000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643027-aff33bb2516f40dd0fb87b7d540295ed&start=560&end=1087","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643027-aff33bb2516f40dd0fb87b7d540295ed/thumbnail_560000.jpg","/articles/6278103/Lewiston/Androscoggin-County/Maine/Maine-paid-family-and-medical-leave-Lewiston-budgets-employer-share-as-payroll-contributions-begin","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278103-369d48cbda055ae0faf2ee8123f8aa92/orig.mp4?Expires=1773611349&Signature=juaRWOYTujmADlIaJlksqjB01ePSxmhPOFkHjnBSfTLXBe5AOkcmgfyQ5sWINz0Qyw6u0Ijezu8ZnqGMBzU~rMAepDSRM2nUQTlhr0UwMqk7yM9JLUeN17G-oTBW~LShLKocEEGZinspT5~hzLqYfVQCZKpToaABZfhqJz7l-hbjriEvLuKkO-x6hoXesbRU5xdOW5X5NKH~dvCfQp5SVmxMtHVeKoYRSZfCNVNxYH9QAf0BE6iaBllhYxs4xo7Ov3tV5CqFg2jKaw~zczHcCWH0ZzVqCFyetd10wxDLP65L40WZu-vcDymAMgJvdBzkuf5rsWywTEIprcO21joxqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors asked how the state’s new paid family and medical leave program will affect the city’s budget. Administrator O'Malley explained that payroll contributions began Jan. 1, 2025, and described how the city budgeted the employer portion for the coming fiscal year.

Administrator O'Malley said that both employer and employee pay a 0.5% payroll contribution and that the state-run program will administer benefit payments. \"The employer and the employee pay a half percent,\" O'Malley said. Beginning in 2026 eligible workers will be able to take up to 12 weeks of covered leave; staff said the city is budgeting the employer half-percent for the full fiscal year at approximately $138,636.

Staff noted that employees may not be able to \"double dip\" with city-provided sick or vacation pay and that the state will offset benefits accordingly. The city’s budgeting covers the employer contribution whether or not an employee chooses to use the state benefit; the council asked follow-up questions about administration and payroll contribution timing.

Ending: Staff said they will monitor program implementation and return with any administrative clarifications as employees begin to access the state program.","City staff explained how the new Maine paid family and medical leave program affects the budget: payroll contributions began Jan. 1, 2025, and Lewiston is budgeting its employer share for the full fiscal year.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6278107,"Lewiston budget includes higher contract costs for automated collection; public rollout planned for spring 2026",235,6188000,6423000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643027-aff33bb2516f40dd0fb87b7d540295ed&start=6188&end=6423","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643027-aff33bb2516f40dd0fb87b7d540295ed/thumbnail_6188000.jpg","/articles/6278107/Lewiston/Androscoggin-County/Maine/Lewiston-budget-includes-higher-contract-costs-for-automated-collection-public-rollout-planned-for-spring-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278107-8dd6ca2115528b1d73ebe4953c351c5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773611349&Signature=gBqwZtpwU8tE~O0mnGd14vvpU3kRaDH3~JsiYmOIjTPNccN9aCupJ55fX6YiwrfD9aAWrQdt3hxPknOG~lyqdUyd1NcrDODVgCNZN-dx1Ap-6i6H7WTfOg36Yr6uoBGZJU5d4Mjjnucbxafn2jpcl-A9wSL9VhCh95D27lrGzqTXVwBLNhRcBEXwpJIn2wvGI2mStoJtu6zEtAxizm7Qr5yAuvUq3JMOM4KB0ulO9bBtVxw~3dl7xitQtwhNMzCVLTF0WXrEJC5QRnVY9XrYBXMg3c1fxPvfYeKTIZSxmEK6VrKCLTiKPlx62A9cE7vYsGzldtMAgf39ka-bTes~dw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lewiston staff told council that contracted waste-collection services will cost more under a new automated curbside program, and staff outlined plans for a community outreach rollout next spring.

Public Works staff said the waste and recycling division’s operating budget shows a significant increase in contracted services tied to a new automated collection contract. Staff said the contractor (Casella, the low bidder on the procurement) will supply and replace the collection bins and is contractually responsible for bin maintenance and replacement. \"The city has no responsibility for the trash containers at all,\" staff said.

John Kaczynski, Environmental Services Superintendent, described spring cleanup and brush-collection programs as separate from curbside collection. Staff said the education and marketing campaign for the automated system (branded internally as cart-to-curb rollout) will occur in spring 2026; the waste-disposal tab contains a printing allocation for outreach materials.

Staff noted the contract’s cost increases are amortized across the contract term and that trucks and equipment deliveries will phase in over the procurement timeline; the visible service changes and public-education campaign will begin in spring 2026 when equipment and bins are in place.

Ending: Staff said they will present a public-education plan and timeline ahead of the rollout and that households with damaged or missing bins should contact the contractor for replacement under the contract terms.","City staff told council the new automated curbside collection contract increases operating costs in the near term; the contractor will own and maintain bins and the city plans a public education rollout in spring 2026.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6278112,"Public Works budget shows higher costs for garages, winter operations and capital requests",422,1638000,2060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643027-aff33bb2516f40dd0fb87b7d540295ed&start=1638&end=2060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643027-aff33bb2516f40dd0fb87b7d540295ed/thumbnail_1638000.jpg","/articles/6278112/Lewiston/Androscoggin-County/Maine/Public-Works-budget-shows-higher-costs-for-garages-winter-operations-and-capital-requests","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278112-9bbbf40de4c196237459cde9139f8da8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773611349&Signature=eivhRQ53ToDG8hZgqLTOuhKPWd-OeSNtnUf7DJ6~mRh~DtnOLs2JQArLirQWG3EPkUb2JucNQofgkTdU23Lnjb0pbwhNegOOecy~~9~874u59SEx37m4ojNE~4b8Nv6uuxXk9syPpgto4Fe0NIMJd5pTwc~FBpiNRRzcAIU~X3Y2vcCcnvOD00-tLzYnPjM1BjnQsAm82VJadCfZo2oj0JbdZsPaKxrzoepyMzmmHn12AbfIQ0eq6gpm1s7l--GrQKTwd1dh0t2Q1Kih3j7qb3DaZWERPJs1avQOzxDVUOvbY5~3DUICxgQ7EfsvaXy4yZ56uko2BVlpf9d9m0Z4Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public Works staff reviewed a department-level recommended budget that includes higher contractual costs for parking-garage systems, increased winter-operations spending and capital requests that were reduced from initial asks.

Kevin Gagne, Director (Public Works), and Facilities Manager Louis Turcotte described increases across the five city garages tied to a new gate system and a plan to move telephone service off landlines to the city's fiber. Oak Street parking, for example, showed an \"overall increase of $8,955 or 12.4%,\" staff said, with much of the change tied to utilities, stormwater fee increases and a garage gate contract split among the city’s facilities.

Councilors pressed staff on the revenue assumptions behind monthly permit income. Staff noted TD Bank vacating a downtown building reduced projected revenue and that monthly parking and permit revenues are reported elsewhere in the budget under the revenue tab (monthly parking pages 14–15).

Winter operations and snow removal were a recurring subject. Public Works staff said temporary increases in outside rentals and salt pricing were budget drivers; they recommend continuing to rent a grader rather than purchase one now because of high acquisition and parts costs and an uncertain long-term need as roads are paved. \"To purchase a new grader, it would cost $450,000 to $500,000,\" staff said; instead, the budget includes rental lines for occasional grader use.

Sidewalks and capital: staff noted a $605,000 remaining sidewalk account and said a requested $40,000 sidewalk allotment in the operating budget was removed from the recommended budget (not funded by fund balance) because carry-forward money remains.

Bonds and LCIP questions returned several times. Councilors asked how raising bonded amounts would interact with the city's 80% target for coverage of capital projects (LCIP rules). Staff said decisions to add bond-funded projects are council choices; debt-service effects would appear in subsequent years when bonds are sold.

Ending: Staff said they will provide more detail on garage revenue by location, the carry-forward amounts held in fund balance, and the three-year averages used for forecasting operational lines such as snow removal.","Public Works presented a recommended budget with increases in garage contractual services, winter operations and capital outlay; councilors questioned stormwater fee assumptions, parking revenue forecasts and the proposed use of bonds.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6278116,"Lewiston staff outline personnel and fringe-benefit increases; council freezes several positions",654,133000,787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2643027-aff33bb2516f40dd0fb87b7d540295ed&start=133&end=787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2643027-aff33bb2516f40dd0fb87b7d540295ed/thumbnail_133000.jpg","/articles/6278116/Lewiston/Androscoggin-County/Maine/Lewiston-staff-outline-personnel-and-fringe-benefit-increases-council-freezes-several-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278116-5ac8e7360d4de3043a71002d10099c51/orig.mp4?Expires=1773611349&Signature=oJyeVMpW4fXueqJ247y8r4MuPydYl2oe8eOiK0U0AQDrQe27SMF6U8qYFpGcM-ukIXQEhK59ekGvP9-~XYf4qB0KYlCMsrvuSK6Z4pjPfxJuPiDTRidJUcmnR~cP-9~6s8ukuzth~NIDIBCOrbHrv1QEvm0O3aYQvwcPsQZaqero4k7rqdCtUEX-bYeZH8wB0~aJ-YHIZVT-VMacyaH2D999Pr0BxGkxKv8iBcIYCNH~xHlCl2CIJbzstLyHmnPGbeT4kNmL~nVcDjDAPD4NidsDJK9BgCNc5SiyjLoRXmm3d-NVxzZOJ0RwsVuMNXqQIjlRUgUYM8Oi40ARt~lDAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Lewiston budget workshop, city staff presented projected increases in personnel services and fringe benefits, saying overall salary costs rose modestly and identifying several positions proposed to be frozen.

The discussion centered on the proposed fiscal-year personnel budget, with Director Roy noting, \"The overall increase on salaries is $864,000 or 3.7%.\" Staff said there are no new positions in the recommended budget and recommended freezing six full-time positions and two part-time positions.

Why it matters: personnel and fringe-benefit lines make up a large share of the general fund. Changes to COLA, retirement contributions and state-mandated benefits affect the city’s long-term operating cost and the mill rate.

City staff described specific cost drivers: contractual step increases in union agreements, overtime in public safety driven by collective-bargaining obligations, and a set of employees rehired in retirement \"drop\" programs whose wages are reduced by 5%–15% under their contracts. Director Roy also told councilors the city recorded aggregate benefits paid of roughly $1.3 million in calendar 2024, up about $197,904 from 2023.

Staff also described several line-item shifts and technical accounting changes. For example, a consolidation of certain utility charge offsets moved some costs into salary reserve credits in departmental pages. The city said there are no new services proposed and that severance and some retirement-cost-line items changed year to year.

Council questions probed several details. Councilor Gallant asked about the state's new paid family and medical leave program and who funds it; Administrator O'Malley explained the program’s payroll contributions began Jan. 1, 2025, and the city is budgeting its employer share (see separate article on the state program). Councilor Chittum asked about union vs. nonunion coverage among the city’s roughly 364 general-fund full-time employees; staff said they would provide a breakdown.

Councilors also discussed the degree of flexibility the council has for nonunion COLA decisions and the possibility of a 0% increase for nonunion employees, which staff confirmed is within the council’s authority. Staff emphasized that COLA and step provisions built into union contracts are not unilateral decisions of the council and that nonunion adjustments are discretionary.

Ending: Staff said they will provide requested clarifications — including the count of union and nonunion employees and more precise carry-forward figures — at future budget workshops as the council reviews the proposed operating and capital budgets.","City staff told the Lewiston council that salaries and fringe benefits are rising modestly in the proposed fiscal budget, with several positions proposed to be frozen; officials flagged overtime, state-mandated programs and retirement costs as drivers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council questions 85 Park Street 911 center costs; staff say utilities will be billed and invoiced to partner

Maine paid family and medical leave: Lewiston budgets employer share as payroll contributions begin

Lewiston budget includes higher contract costs for automated collection; public rollout planned for spring 2026

Public Works budget shows higher costs for garages, winter operations and capital requests

Lewiston staff outline personnel and fringe-benefit increases; council freezes several positions