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Main Street Skowhegan to manage proposed river feature; board says MOU will clarify taxpayer liabilities
Summary
Public commenters raised concerns about long-term maintenance costs for a proposed river wave feature; Main Street Skowhegan and the town said an MOU will assign operational and maintenance responsibilities and Main Street will fundraise and operate the amenity.
At the Aug. 12 meeting of the Skowhegan Select Board, public commenters and board members discussed a proposed river amenity led by Main Street Skowhegan, who said it will finalize a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to clarify who will fund construction, operations and maintenance.
Several residents asked whether taxpayers would cover future repairs or liability if the feature required reconstruction after storm damage. Richard Vigner, a long-time resident, asked for a written guarantee that the project would not cost taxpayers "one nickel." He said existing experience elsewhere showed that memorial or recreation river features sometimes later require repair funded by local governments.
Christina (last name not specified), speaking for Main Street Skowhegan, said the organization is developing an MOU that will specify responsibilities. "Main Street is going to foot the bill and the burden, including not only fundraising for this effort, but also operating and maintaining the park afterward," Christina said. She added the project team is training local kayakers through an existing program (Skowhegan Outdoors) and expects to run the park and host events to produce economic activity for the downtown.
Board members and staff said the town is part of the planning process and will review the MOU before final approval. Town staff said the MOU will spell out operations and maintenance roles so the town's taxpayers are not left responsible for routine upkeep. Town Manager Nick (last name not specified) said the MOU will "solidify what the town's responsible and what Main Street's responsible for." He also noted the town may host a project-management committee composed of town staff and Main Street representatives to oversee construction and post-construction responsibilities.
Speakers noted the project could increase demands on public safety resources; board members said Main Street acknowledged those possibilities and has discussed fundraising to support any additional costs. The board's public-record discussion did not include a formal vote on the river feature itself; the item was presented as an update and the MOU remained in development.
Public-comment speakers also referenced potential erosion and long-term maintenance costs observed at other river wave installations and the importance of planning for operations and insurance.
The Select Board said it will review the finalized MOU and present details to the public when available.
