Town manager outlines public-safety, parking and harbor updates; Bluffs interim repair open

Town Manager Amy reported several operational updates Wednesday, including progress on planning for a new public-safety building, the initial success of a DEM parking-pass program, continued work to automate harbor parking, and an interim repair at the Bluffs.

Amy said the town expects to bring a contract to the council to hire a consultant (Scott Catell) to complete a needs assessment and prepare an RFQ for design and architectural services for the public-safety building. She said chiefs from the police and fire departments are participating in monthly committee meetings to define space and technical requirements.

On parking, Amy said the DEM parking-pass program had a strong initial response and that the town had set up an online application (newshorehamri.gov under human services) for short-term placards. She gave an operational example: she had applied for a temporary permit to transport a resident off-island on a busy holiday weekend appointment.

Amy also said the Bluffs interim repair work has been completed and that the stairs remain open, but cautioned visitors to consider safety; the town is adding signage and restricting some vehicle access. On harbor operations she said staff is working to bring Old Harbor fully online with the harbor parking system to improve enforcement and finance operations.

Other items in the manager's report included highways spring mowing (short staffing noted), progress updates requested for the Thomas property and highways building agreements, police staffing news (officer Phil Trudeau graduating the academy), and that the town remains prepared to respond to a recurrence of a Styrofoam debris event that affected Old Harbor last fall.

Provenance: The manager's report and related discussion appear in the latter half of the agenda and include multiple operational items for staff follow-up.