[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,76,87],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6217327,"mediaKeyId","3646399-6628dcfa3bf7f20ea07df74af273d498","parentId",3646399,"title","Town Council authorizes application to extend TIF District 1, prioritizing affordable housing","audioSeconds",3132,"startMs",720000,"endMs",3852000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3646399-6628dcfa3bf7f20ea07df74af273d498&start=720&end=3852","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3646399-6628dcfa3bf7f20ea07df74af273d498/thumbnail_720000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6217327/Maine/Town-Council-authorizes-application-to-extend-TIF-District-1-prioritizing-affordable-housing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217327-d376453ca43ad5fd11c8e81f9b7afcf6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771079401&Signature=YCvkPCCmWuEaGG8RTK8jSH4LAf0sw-F1EBiSriIQoykKwtr4QWw8-GkNRqSVXSmlFB7N7JthjtBB0OE0J~o3PcAnB1WpHt~asXKOq9toZLuiwRnXQDvIYgI7rzC5z5X~LnBG~FDcdUzniny~YAXUh3oMz9gZ4kGrkqz1nMLso7qeUSGMwDCwte3T5jl226cta-ULKrmAHR6edKxQXUQ91~rxGCd5m60otNG4B2RKdczafnULmFN~VYQomBhRXLA7btX-zB7HL21errQ9K-ayRbD8ufsJRI2RKkse5PnSv6uTvWOk3nGdo36n6oQm33OS8y~H58p4USWScBleSu7E6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Cumberland, Maine","date","2025-06-04T04:19:56.047Z","article","The Cumberland Town Council voted unanimously on June 2 to authorize submission of an application to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to amend and extend Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District 1, directing 75% of captured TIF revenue toward affordable housing and leaving the remaining 25% for allocation by the town manager.

The move follows a two-hour workshop with the town attorney and a public hearing during the council’s regular meeting. Alyssa, the town attorney, provided the council with an overview of the district and the statutory framework that allows municipalities to apply to extend an expiring district for up to 20 years within a 10‑year window, provided at least 75% of captured revenue is used for affordable housing or transit. “The requirement for the extension … is that 75% of the TIF revenue captured would be used for … affordable housing or transit,” she told the council.

Why the decision matters

TIF District 1 dates to the 1990s and covers roughly 83 acres on the Route 1 corridor, capturing increased assessed value now estimated at about $43 million. That captured value shelters tax revenue generated by the district for eligible project costs rather than it being added to the town’s general valuation. Councilors and staff framed the extension as a planning tool that would keep options open for public infrastructure, economic development, affordable housing, and transit investments without obligating the town to a specific project tonight.

Key points from the workshop and hearing

- District scope and value: Alyssa said the district was originally designated in 1996 (adopted in 1997 in materials), and the captured increased assessed value is roughly $43,000,000, a large portion of which comes from two Rockwood condo parcels. She described historical uses of TIF revenue in the district—roads, sewers, traffic signals, waterline extensions, economic development, and administrative costs tied to those projects.

- Statutory requirement for extension: Under current state law, an extension request may be approved during a statutory window if at least 75% of captured TIF revenue is dedicated to affordable housing or transit. Alyssa said the statute now lists eligible public project costs that did not exist when the district was first adopted and recommended the council set a priority for the 75% now to provide clarity in the application.

- Revaluation and revenue projections: Staff explained the revaluation expected in 2027 could alter assessed values and mill rates in ways that tend to offset each other, making year‑to‑year revenue projections uncertain. For simplicity, staff modeled revenue conservatively in the application materials.

- Tax shifts and budget effects: Manager Matt Sturgis summarized the tradeoffs of retiring the district versus extending it. Sturgis said not sheltering the $43 million would increase the town’s reported valuation and could reduce state revenue sharing and state education aid while increasing county taxes. In his analysis, he estimated net fiscal effects over 20 years, noting that the near‑term payoff of folding the value into the general roll would be small compared with the cumulative avoided losses the town receives by sheltering the value in a TIF.

Council direction and vote

After discussion, the council directed that the application list the statutory eligible project categories in Exhibit J and prioritize affordable housing for the required 75%. The council left the remaining 25% available for the town manager to recommend allocations among the other authorized uses, with the understanding the council will retain annual budgetary control of the capture rate and project expenditures.

The council then moved the formal order as included in meeting materials and voted to adopt it; the mayor’s call for a vote produced a unanimous result. The adopted order authorizes the town to submit the application materials to DECD for review and approval, which, if approved by DECD, would amend and extend TIF District 1 for the period requested in the application.

What the extension would and would not do

The extension itself does not obligate the town to approve or fund any particular project. Instead, staff described the extension as a framework that would allow the council to allocate captured revenue on a year‑to‑year basis (including throttling the capture rate up or down) and to use TIF revenues for capital projects inside or outside the district so long as they meet statutory eligibility and are described in the development program. The council also heard that issuing bonds for eligible public projects or creating loan/revolving programs for development or affordable housing are among the options permitted under the statutory framework.

Next steps

Staff will finalize the application with the council’s direction and submit it to DECD. The statute requires public notice and DECD review; if DECD approves the application, the amendment will become effective under the terms approved by DECD. Councilors said they plan annual reviews during the budget process to decide how much of the district’s value to capture each fiscal year.

Ending

The council framed the vote as a planning‑level decision to preserve options: an extension would keep the town positioned to support affordable housing, transit, and other public investments in the Route 1 corridor while retaining annual budgetary oversight and the ability to change capture rates in future years.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town Council & TIF Workshop - June 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Cumberland Town Council voted unanimously June 2 to authorize an application to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development to amend and extend Tax Increment Financing District 1, directing 75% of captured TIF revenue toward affordable housing and delegating the remaining 25% for manager recommendation.","taxTitle","Town Council , Cumberland Center, Cumberland County, Maine","taxId",69260,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":46,"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6217317,"Council votes and permits: TIF extension authorized; liquor license renewed; tournament permit approved",252,3600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3646399-6628dcfa3bf7f20ea07df74af273d498&start=3600&end=3852","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3646399-6628dcfa3bf7f20ea07df74af273d498/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6217317/Maine/Council-votes-and-permits-TIF-extension-authorized-liquor-license-renewed-tournament-permit-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217317-6823f9bb25eb4fa7b92fdfa206ac05f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771079401&Signature=W-5VxThzEdHGCYCaUodomqs3saVSfxwVIKVPxemcGhZw~HJeXCdkmNxZCdZ7je~lA1hzUiF6extunW29d82ULe3m-z0KK5mWrr6~nX4CCgCAXp5QKnPIouRanUegTf3j-W9EO~kQ5b213B9rUY5Nyr8N0CIN5h4QwlsPvJQpq~acznC3dWURnfXTFOsoOGAeVI~KWF6ERrHY2aIFr56Nv69JUYwe8h5Kco9eK2Reo7VPnHiu79GMEpb9pqF3imqOK8tr6Yxng8ZAaeNQ0~ly9Ys0KgPkttZ4cUd3NL2ocXyCaDr2a7ASkX28FnyzP9I78w9t4RKbeqK2bCSy8UMKmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cumberland Town Council took several formal votes during its June 2 meeting. Highlights and outcomes are listed below.

Votes and formal actions

1) Adopt order to submit Fourth Amendment/application for TIF District 1 extension (agenda item 25-058)
- Motion: Adopt the order included in the meeting packet to submit the amendment/application to DECD, allocating 75% of captured revenue to affordable housing and delegating the remaining 25% allocation to the town manager for recommendation.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously; tally recorded as unanimous by the chair.

2) Approve liquor license renewal — Cumberland House of Pizza (agenda item 25-059)
- Motion: Approve renewal of the liquor license.
- Outcome: Approved; recorded tally 6 yes, 1 abstention (one councilor recorded an abstention).

3) Approve mass gathering application — Cumberland Soccer Club, “Just for Fun” tournament (agenda item 25-060)
- Motion: Approve mass gathering application for the tournament at Twinbrook Recreation Area in August.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously. Police and recreation staff noted planned coverage and coordination with emergency services.

4) Table action on delinquent tax payment acceptance (agenda item 25-061)
- Motion: Table consideration of accepting a $500 delinquent tax payment for tax year 2023 on map R02 lot 10 pending further discussion and executive session.
- Outcome: Motion to table approved unanimously; staff will place the item on the June 16 agenda (scheduled executive session).

Other routine business

- Meeting minutes from May 27, 2025 were approved unanimously earlier in the meeting.
- Manager’s reports and departmental updates (paving, RFPs, Valhalla updates) were delivered; no formal votes required during those reports.

Ending

Council chair confirmed next steps: staff will finalize and submit the TIF application to DECD and will bring the tabled tax payment item to executive session on the next council meeting agenda.","The council took a string of routine actions on June 2: it authorized the TIF District 1 extension application (75% housing priority), approved a liquor license renewal for Cumberland House of Pizza, granted a mass gathering permit for a soccer tournament, and tabled a request concerning a delinquent tax payment.",{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6217322,"Valhalla reports full memberships and expanded junior programs; club details course and capital work",93,852000,945000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3646399-6628dcfa3bf7f20ea07df74af273d498&start=852&end=945","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3646399-6628dcfa3bf7f20ea07df74af273d498/thumbnail_852000.jpg","/articles/6217322/Maine/Valhalla-reports-full-memberships-and-expanded-junior-programs-club-details-course-and-capital-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217322-8ab6ef12521b5301a51fdb3ba94f088a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771079401&Signature=IIyObVBPl39Qvr9i~~hv-Ea8pBxF6nCKZngNz7Rd~99C-EitPAyFvW6UVDcOKagwtZwSt1eJoGqFru9T61E0pw8bFjrXak3CP1yZWRNHC-CYwJAbPQJcswg8txupLQd4uie4jKpmWhTEjWQSJv325KtO6L-rghwa6ilpJICqRrpeNUaXXa8kwogU29slZfhG9Aio8Jz7ESnB0lOX9YT9z1MXHNZdOhFHvy0m3Y5-fe0MIgYFDyxIAUL1okjh9lZ1jAJ53nHLXgjHrXTlVGRmrszOeag4V~W21yhw1A4gu9cw5PkXU3v4wfRnD~63BhOHgKEBNcE9eaTxo5EWpYxSsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Valhalla Golf Course managers gave the Cumberland Town Council a midseason update on June 2, reporting healthy revenues, full membership, expanded junior programs and course maintenance projects completed ahead of summer play.

Nick Plummer, Valhalla’s general manager, told the council, “Memberships are full as they've been the last 4 years. We currently have 403 members, of which 48 of those are Cumberland residents, about 36%.” He said the course capped membership at 375 in prior seasons and that a wait list remains, but junior membership and day programming have increased overall participation.

Why the update matters

The council heard that Valhalla is hosting multiple large outings this season, including several fundraising tournaments and state qualifiers, and that the course’s junior golf programming is serving area youths. Those activities generate revenue while also connecting the course with local families; staff said summer camps (9 a.m.–4 p.m.) are sold out and that a large majority of campers are Cumberland or North Yarmouth students.

Course operations and capital work

Toby Young, superintendent, described maintenance and capital items completed before the season: tree and understory clearing on the front nine, successful winter protection for irrigation components (including head insulation), the delivery of new golf carts and installation of GPS screens, and near‑completion of a new restroom at the sixth hole. Young said a recently installed automated lightning‑safety system (PERI) successfully activated during a recent storm and that the course will continue to monitor irrigation mainline condition and equipment replacement timing.

Junior and community programs

Nick outlined Valhalla’s junior offerings: programs for ages 5–14, after‑school sessions, early‑release activities for elementary students and seven weeks of summer camp beginning June 23. He said the summer camp roster accounts for roughly 252 total camper spots (99 half‑day and about 153 full‑day slots across sessions) and that 82% of full‑day campers are Cumberland or North Yarmouth residents.

Manager and council comments

Councilors thanked staff for course upkeep and for the community programming, noting the course’s value as a municipal amenity. Several councilors singled out good stewardship of resources and praised staff for balancing capital needs with operational efficiency.

Ending

Valhalla managers said they expect a strong finish to the fiscal year and will continue to report significant maintenance needs (irrigation audits, equipment replacement planning) in future budget cycles.","Valhalla Golf Course managers told the council the facility’s membership and summer programs are full, junior-camp enrollment is high and course maintenance work—irrigation checks, tree clearing and a new restroom—has prepared the course for summer play.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Town Council authorizes application to extend TIF District 1, prioritizing affordable housing

Council votes and permits: TIF extension authorized; liquor license renewed; tournament permit approved

Valhalla reports full memberships and expanded junior programs; club details course and capital work