[{"_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",[32,75,87],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6193239,"mediaKeyId","3868075-e13e0843cefffc2acd442bd6c972dcbf","parentId",3868075,"title","Cadence Kitchen seeks funding assurance as Maine Housing sets Aug. 1 deadline for shelter operations funding","audioSeconds",1078,"startMs",13961000,"endMs",15039000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868075-e13e0843cefffc2acd442bd6c972dcbf&start=13961&end=15039","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868075-e13e0843cefffc2acd442bd6c972dcbf/thumbnail_13961000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6193239/Lewiston/Androscoggin-County/Maine/Cadence-Kitchen-seeks-funding-assurance-as-Maine-Housing-sets-Aug-1-deadline-for-shelter-operations-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193239-8bb635488a81e5df75bd268c2313760e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099035&Signature=b5FUXgvSbqM-1yH6oPHntXWu4IQ1-V2b0bvlQLbWbbOtThypbxMVXEPc-mOfkxF~E15PHMV4wHAA9YShWuu8sDUG7c8DDgJorY5YQDf56p4tiKBSMZRfcE2wIhkP9NspG7Xnl~pi5hGqKatjUTodQq8f8czfzuu68~4FL1My4HQrQJT41n4ubS2V~kQ5LyxCHeBEln~yA0eGpldcoSA~Op6M8UcayPU-yp6lKPtgsE8BPJIrErD6cYZ2GFiSgTsj-uYGVuFm2uRgSeGnq-GNIEOwbRP4JVfVtIbQOudmo2ZV-~H6Rl-n5dGMB5KmyWAXxiktGLMaKVfifBf1p7R0xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lewiston","date","2025-06-18T03:50:26Z","article","Lewiston — Cadence Kitchen, the nonprofit selected to develop a new emergency shelter in Lewiston, has received a conditional state award but must show secured operating funding for the program’s first two years by Aug. 1, 2025, officials said at the Lewiston City Council meeting.

Key points
- Maine Housing awarded Cadence Kitchen $2,500,000 for a long‑term shelter project, but the grant’s disbursement requires evidence that the shelter’s first‑ and second‑year operating budgets are committed.
- Cadence and council advisors told the council the two‑year operating estimate on paper ran to about $3,000,000. Cadence plans to waive some administrative fees to lower the required committed operating total to about $2,600,000; that figure is the funding target Cadence says it must demonstrate to preserve the Maine Housing award.
- Lewiston has budgeted $400,000 toward the shelter in FY2026; the City of Auburn has indicated a potential $200,000 contribution for FY2026 contingent on an operational plan and shelter opening. Cadence reported a projected carryover of about $655,000 from the state award that would help fund operations at startup.

Why it matters: without the operating funds, Maine Housing may rescind the $2.5 million award. Councilors and shelter committee members stressed urgency: Cadence said it expects to have a building under contract within weeks but cannot close or proceed without evidence of operational funding.

What officials said
- Kevin Bollier of Cadence Kitchen summarized the funding picture and said Maine Housing set the Aug. 1 deadline to prove funding for the first two years. \"Two years of operational costs on paper is approximately $3,000,000,\" Bollier said; Cadence has offered to waive administrative fees to bring the required committed total down to roughly $2,600,000.
- Shelter Committee co‑chairs and council members urged focus on immediate next steps: identify gaps, contact potential funders quickly and explore whether Maine Housing would extend or clarify the deadline.
- City administration and council members asked Cadence and the shelter committee to circulate the draft operational budgets and a short list of likely funding sources so the council and partners can act fast.

Numbers (as presented at the meeting)
- Maine Housing conditional award: $2,500,000
- Lewiston FY2026 budgeted contribution (pending formal agreement): $400,000
- Auburn FY2026 budgeted contribution (contingent): $200,000
- Cadence‑reported projected carryover from Maine Housing development award: $655,000 (estimated)
- Cadence‑calculated two‑year operating requirement (after proposed admin fee waiver): $2,600,000

Next steps requested at the meeting
- Shelter committee and Cadence to provide the council and administration the detailed two‑year operating budgets and a list of pending funding requests.
- City staff to prepare a partnership agreement template so the city and Cadence can formalize commitments if councilors want to allocate additional funds.
- Shelter committee to continue outreach to Androscoggin County and federal congressional offices (Cadence said its congressional direct‑spend request was increased in response to state funding shortfalls) and to seek other philanthropic and public sources.

Quote
- \"If such commitments are not made, the $2,500,000 will be rescinded,\" a shelter committee update warned. Kevin Bollier said Cadence is willing to waive certain fees but needs funding commitments to move forward with property acquisition and operations.

Ending: Cadence Kitchen and the shelter committee said they expect to have a site under contract in coming weeks and asked the council and community partners to prioritize closing the remaining funding gap before the Aug. 1 Maine Housing deadline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 06/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Cadence Kitchen says it must show two years of operating funding by Aug. 1, 2025 to keep a conditional $2.5 million Maine Housing award and move a new emergency shelter project forward.","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},6193242,"Lewiston council approves festivals, parking changes, cameras and several other items; list of votes",282,1627000,1909000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868075-e13e0843cefffc2acd442bd6c972dcbf&start=1627&end=1909","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868075-e13e0843cefffc2acd442bd6c972dcbf/thumbnail_1627000.jpg","/articles/6193242/Lewiston/Androscoggin-County/Maine/Lewiston-council-approves-festivals-parking-changes-cameras-and-several-other-items-list-of-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193242-e1e952cde7a3f5e48bdeefc084c07a80/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099035&Signature=a6exRwDaNAOhtgC0TDhD90Rttu9VHtT3UP2zsg6-fmMogtrWekvOcmuFh8wrQKzjWb716Nbi8cdjufitrGwGl5nZM-0rIj5NgEC6kFsuu8fPzhRENDK9C1bXegpf7yTArdWK5EGx4o-UBJ5eU9u80YXTPGe2JeovLqCeuT2MCU6DFPhHjFE7xRyPKDck94Y3uP9JY3Jp6H0yi2toO01H22n~Iw~XELQE6pkLFhpjoPF7n1nx0HKx~pb4MPB~zsKbO1tJKrVTcQb9S7MH-IhgPWgE7RfrrfCFso1rq5asGstWsAjN3iqH~C491H0Nuwh45NorTompBEP-Z8z6vZnVFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lewiston — The City Council handled a large package of routine and policy items at its meeting, approving outdoor event permits, parking rule changes, personnel policy clarifications, public‑art projects and a new body‑worn‑camera contract.

Votes at a glance (key motions and outcomes)
- Liberty Festival outdoor entertainment permit (Item 1): Approved; roll‑call vote 7–0. Motion moved by Councilor Chittum; second by Councilor Gallant. Permit contingent on departmental approvals.
- Pine Street Block Party permit (Item 2): Approved; roll‑call vote 7–0. Mover: Councilor Chittum; second: Councilor Harriman.
- Syringe service program ordinance (Item 3): Council voted to continue the public hearing and require a workshop; motion passed 6–1. (See separate coverage.)
- Rezoning, 277 & 287 River Road (Item 4): First passage approved; roll‑call vote 7–0. Final passage continued to next regular meeting.
- Personnel policy — professionalism language (Item 5): Approved; roll‑call vote 7–0.
- Personnel policy — clarification to health‑insurance waiver (Item 6): Approved; roll‑call vote 7–0.
- Traffic schedule (remove parking meters; adopt timed parking zones) (Item 7): Approved; roll‑call vote 7–0. Council approved a broad reworking of on‑street time limits downtown, adding 30‑minute and 2‑hour spaces as described in the traffic schedule.
- Parking fees policy — municipal parking garages (Item 8): Approved; roll‑call vote 7–0. Policy now allows non‑monthly users first 2 hours free and no fees after 5 p.m. on weekdays.
- Byrne discretionary community grant (Item 10): Acceptance and appropriation of $70,000; approved 7–0.
- Public art projects (Item 11): Council accepted the Public Art Committee’s recommendations for four projects and added a Canal Street parklet/paint pilot; approved 7–0.
- Acceptance of Captain Bassinet Way as a public street (Item 13): Approved 7–0; engineering and survey monument set‑out to be completed by contractor.
- Body‑worn and in‑car cameras — award to Axon (Item 9): Council approved entering a five‑year contract with Axon and applied $159,999 in budgeted funds for year one; roll‑call vote 7–0. The package includes Axon Justice cloud access, AI transcription and translation features and in‑car systems; councilors cited time‑savings and improved evidence sharing as primary benefits.

Context and fiscal notes
- Several measures were described by staff as budget‑neutral for FY2025 because the city had already budgeted for equipment or appropriations. The Axon contract and parking policy changes will affect multi‑year operating costs; staff outlined year‑one funding already budgeted and higher contract costs in years two‑through‑five.
- In several items (rezoning and public art) the council approved first passage or conditional approvals; final actions will return for final passage or are contingent on administrative actions such as environmental or historic reviews.

Representative quotes
- \"We're only 1 part of the equation... we're looking to improve our parking,\" Director Nate Libby said about downtown parking changes.
- \"This is a possibility to use as a recruiting tool\" — a councilor on the Axon camera package, noting improved officer efficiency and retention potential.

Ending: Most agenda items passed on unanimous votes; the syringe‑service ordinance drew the only split vote and will return after a council‑sponsored workshop and further staff work.","At its meeting councilors approved outdoor entertainment permits, parking schedule changes, a municipal parking‑garage policy, a five‑year Axon body‑camera contract, public‑art projects, a rezoning first passage and other items. A proposed syringe‑service ordinance was continued to a workshop (6–1).",{"_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},6193247,"Lewiston council pauses syringe‑service ordinance after hours of public testimony and council debate",8697,2088000,10785000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868075-e13e0843cefffc2acd442bd6c972dcbf&start=2088&end=10785","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868075-e13e0843cefffc2acd442bd6c972dcbf/thumbnail_2088000.jpg","/articles/6193247/Lewiston/Androscoggin-County/Maine/Lewiston-council-pauses-syringeservice-ordinance-after-hours-of-public-testimony-and-council-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193247-5f0952acf43eab1ab4ec6671353fcf53/orig.mp4?Expires=1771099035&Signature=XGHi8TZ3asQhM1hN3~7kD8N9QzmTQsJJkBwbUJn-fJEdM9UPLVwMwvhqadQ8JwUUspK06V3Ke5mg1~dseVSXa3ZPLxpDxu7UECACaAeVNktTdGgigg5GAhHuHdqD07RzekHamq1yTO5QblINJ1UD4aGRqi~YyMdFixW6fpk9h8l-KvVU8lfWckgNDF8Bkg-Ea8HrRDjUJp5tjC7D6K42ETp0xSU9HUMBLh3xq8diW9W2eC0ud5qaNQbAbk7W5WjnS7nxllFaEd7xCaHVquvYjnpU~iRPi-LR8mOYZ-tlVMfSAI1Pt~EbRk6O4qonjCiakFrCZ~XqffqTSj56BhDmhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lewiston — After more than two hours of discussion and public testimony, the Lewiston City Council voted to continue the public hearing on a proposed ordinance to license syringe service programs and send the draft back for more work.

Planning Co‑Director John Connor told the council the draft \"is not ready to be voted on\" and urged more workshops and legal review. The council then heard more than two dozen public comments, including health‑care providers, people in recovery, harm‑reduction advocates and downtown business owners.

Why it matters: The ordinance would change Chapter 22 (business licenses) — article 18 — and could affect where and how syringe service programs operate in Lewiston. Supporters said current programs reduce disease and connect people to treatment; critics said some downtown locations have created nuisance behavior and public‑safety concerns. Councilors repeatedly asked for clearer zoning, stronger \"good neighbor\" requirements and more input from state public‑health officials.

What the council discussed and decided
- Director John Connor told the council he had expected additional workshops before a first reading and recommended the council provide staff with direction on key issues including exchange policy, zoning setbacks and program limits. \"I do not feel that in its current version this ordinance is ready to be voted on,\" Connor said during his remarks.
- Councilor Chris Chittum (Ward 1) identified three central questions: whether to require a 1‑for‑1 needle exchange, how to set zoning and setbacks and whether to limit the number of SSPs in Lewiston. He and others said they wanted a focused workshop rather than protracted discussion during a regular meeting.
- Several councilors — including Nagy, Herriman and Gallant — said the draft as written would effectively prohibit SSPs from operating in Lewiston because of extensive buffer zones and limits on mobile services.
- Maine CDC Infectious Disease Prevention Director Anne Sites told the council that restricting SSP access has been linked to worse public‑health outcomes and described alternatives other cities have used to reduce syringe litter while keeping programs accessible.
- Multiple people in recovery and clinical staff from Spurwink and other providers gave personal testimony and data: a Spurwink physician said a patient who used SSPs avoided HIV and hepatitis C and later achieved sustained recovery. Supporters emphasized that SSPs provide wound care, testing and recovery coaching in addition to sterile supplies.
- Opponents and some downtown business owners said syringe litter and visible drug use in the downtown area had increased and asked for tighter site controls and predictable hours.

Council action: Councilor Chittum moved — and the council voted 6–1 — to continue the public hearing and require a workshop and additional staff coordination with public‑health professionals before the ordinance returns for first reading. The mayor announced the workshop process and staff follow‑up.

What remains unresolved
- The largest open questions are whether the city will require a strict 1‑for‑1 exchange, how far setback buffers from schools, residences and downtown businesses should extend, whether mobile exchange units will be permitted and whether a numerical cap on SSPs is appropriate.
- Maine Housing and state public‑health officials were asked to participate in future sessions; councilors requested a clear list of policy choices and their likely public‑health impacts before drafting final ordinance language.

Quotes
- \"I do not feel that in its current version, this ordinance is ready to be voted on,\" Director John Connor said during his presentation.
- \"We need this program for our community to survive,\" recovery peer Dani Shiflett told the council, describing how SSP outreach led to a referral into treatment.
- \"Restricting syringe access has been linked to poor community health outcomes,\" Anne Sites of Maine CDC said, urging the council to consider alternatives used in other cities.

What's next: City staff will schedule a workshop, invite Maine CDC and local SSP operators to brief the council, and return the ordinance after revisions. The council set a procedural continuance and asked staff to supply clearer cost, operations and zoning options.

Ending: The topic drew strong, sustained public participation and divided views among councilors. The council’s next step is a focused workshop that staff and public‑health partners will use to produce a revised draft for a future public hearing and vote.","City councilors and dozens of residents and public‑health experts debated a proposed ordinance to license syringe service programs (SSPs). Planning director John Connor and multiple councilors said the draft needs more work; council voted 6–1 to continue the public hearing and schedule a workshop.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cadence Kitchen seeks funding assurance as Maine Housing sets Aug. 1 deadline for shelter operations funding

Lewiston council approves festivals, parking changes, cameras and several other items; list of votes

Lewiston council pauses syringe‑service ordinance after hours of public testimony and council debate