Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Piscataquis Area Community Center topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Piscataquis Area Community Center seeks county support; commissioners ask for more detail
Summary
The newly reconstituted Piscataquis Area Community Center requested ongoing Penobscot County support of $92,000 a year. Commissioners expressed interest but said the county budget process and lack of firm commitments from other towns mean they cannot approve ongoing funding now.
The commission heard a request on Feb. 4 from Amanda (Anna) Stewart, executive director of the newly reconstituted Piscataquis Area Community Center (formerly the Piscataquis Regional YMCA), for Penobscot County support.
Stewart said the organization has reopened a facility it took control of and is seeking broader annual support to sustain programs and operations. "I am the executive director for the Piscatapiquis Area Community Center," Stewart said, describing recent volunteer and contractor activity to reopen the building and the group’s intent to restore the pool, fitness center and courts. She asked the county to consider an annual contribution of $92,000 and said the organization is seeking $500,000 in annual support across multiple sources, with plans to raise private contributions and fundraising ($100,000 each targeted for those streams).
Stewart told the commission the nonprofit is awaiting formal 501(c)(3) status from the IRS, and that she has been working with federal and municipal partners to mobilize support. She said initial fundraising had secured roughly $100,000 and that the group is negotiating an interest‑only mortgage arrangement until the 501(c)(3) is finalized.
County officials said they are sympathetic but constrained. Commissioners noted the county’s budget is largely set for the current year and that requests for ongoing funding generally should be submitted during the county’s budget cycle. The commission asked Stewart to return with more details about membership by town, final commitments from nearby municipalities (Dover‑Foxcroft and others) and firm documentation of other funding sources. The county finance staff outlined typical calendar timing for new budget requests and told Stewart the county could consider a request during its next budget cycle rather than provide immediate ongoing support.
Ending: The commission requested additional information and encouraged Stewart to follow the county’s budget submission process; no county vote or funding commitment was made at the meeting.
