Council approves FY2025 CDBG action plan; Beck objects to paving allocation

Bangor City Council on June 9 approved the city’s FY2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan and authorized filing the plan with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, despite objections from a councilor who said the plan obscures a $200,000 paving allocation.

The action authorizes the city to seek $833,082 in federal CDBG entitlement funds and an estimated $250,000 in program income, primarily from repayments of rehabilitation loans, for projects including property rehabilitation, ownership assistance, neighborhood and downtown public improvements, parks, social‑service and nonprofit funding, acquisition, demolition and activities to aid creation and retention of affordable housing units. Councilor Fournier opened the public hearing before the council voted to close it and consider the order.

Why it matters: CDBG funds are federal dollars that cities must allocate according to HUD rules. How Bangor chooses to spend the money affects housing, neighborhood infrastructure and downtown improvements and was the focus of public comment and internal dissent during the meeting.

Public comment and a funding request. During the public comment period, Francisca Smith, introduced as “president of Bangor for the last 13 years,” asked the council to “explore the possibility of using the fundings for the community development block grant” to support evening or weekend English classes for working immigrants. Smith proposed a one‑year pilot of free beginner and intermediate classes and requested $5,000 to pay teachers; she also said she had a venue already secured and invited council support for a Multicultural Fair planned for Sept. 27 at the Bangor Public Library.

Council objection on disclosure. Councilor Beck voted against the action and asked that the action plan explicitly note a $200,000 paving allocation that she said does not appear in the attached action plan. “What I’m really concerned about is we’re supplementing our budget with CDBG funds,” Beck said. She said the plan lists a $233,000 playground allocation but omits the $200,000 paving line and argued that the allocations do not match public meetings and priorities.

Vote. The council approved Order 25‑209 on a 5‑3 roll‑call vote. Voting yes: Councilors Dean, Fish, Fortier, Trumbo and Pelletier. Voting no: Councilors Beck, Leonard and Mallard.

Process and next steps. The adopted action plan will be filed with HUD under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974; the city expects to use the funds for the categories listed in the plan. Councilor Beck requested that the paving amount be added explicitly to the action plan; the record shows her objection but the council approved the order as presented.

Authorities and program notes. The program is the federal Community Development Block Grant under Title I, Housing and Community Development Act of 1974; the city noted anticipated program income from loan repayments. The council identified a number of eligible project types in the materials and during the hearing.

Provenance: The public comment from Francisca Smith appears in the transcript beginning with her remarks to the council and concluding with her request for $5,000 and details of a pilot program; Councilor Fournier introduced the public hearing for Order 25‑209 and Councilor Beck delivered the objection recorded during the roll call and discussion.