Eastport council approves $435,596 sidewalk contract, sewer commitment and cemetery lot sales; schedules mobile vending workshop

The Eastport City Council on March 25 approved a package of routine and project-specific actions, including awarding a $435,596 contract for a sidewalk project and approving a $176,094.75 sewer commitment for the third quarter of fiscal 2026.

Council President William Boone opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and the council moved through a packed consent and new-business agenda. Councilor Rhonda Stevens moved the majority of the motions at the meeting; Councilor Colleen Dana-Cummings and Councilor Morang seconded several motions as noted in the minutes.

The council voted 4-0 to accept a bid from EMX Corporation for $435,596 to complete the Sidewalk Project. The vote followed the bid-opening report and was recorded as passed unanimously.

Councilors also approved a sewer commitment for the 3rd quarter of FY2026 totaling $176,094.75. The council accepted a $410 donation from Deputy Shellfish Warden Loring Small (described in the minutes as volunteer hours, certification costs, two conservation badges and two shellfish measuring rings).

The council approved three perpetual-care lot purchases in municipal cemeteries: Bayside West, Section E, Lot #23 for Victoria Ganz ($550); Hillside West, Gracie Lane, Lots #31 & #32 for David Mitchell ($550); and Bayside West, Section E, Lot C7 for Gale O’Hara ($150). Those three approvals were recorded together and carried by a single motion.

The council also approved the Shead High School Senior Device Program as proposed by the Digital Equity Committee and accepted the minutes from the February 11, 2026 meeting.

On property matters, the council directed the City Manager to notify former owners of four foreclosed properties—35–37 Key Street (Tax Map I7-0C2-21), 20 Boynton Street (Tax Map I7-0C4-07), 1A Redoubt Hill (F4-0D5-09), and 9 Snyder Road (E2-0A4-05)—of the city’s intent to sell. That directive was approved 4-0.

Several items were carried to the April meeting or produced no action: the Realtor Bid Policy and proposed amendments to committee rules and procedures were carried to April; discussion of a cell tower lease produced no formal action but City Manager Brian Schuth will work with Council President Boone on next steps; the appointment of a council liaison to the Energy Committee produced no action; and the appointment of Rachel Williams to the Digital Equity Committee was tabled for further information.

The council voted 4-0 to hold a workshop on the proposed Mobile Vending Unit Ordinance on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

The council went into executive session at 7:32 p.m. to discuss personnel matters and to consult with legal counsel under Title 1 MRSA §405(6)(A) and §405(6)(E). The council returned at 8:05 p.m. and recorded no action following the executive session. The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.

Votes at a glance: To accept bid from EMX Corporation for the Sidewalk Project — moved by Councilor Rhonda Stevens, seconded by Councilor Morang; outcome: approved 4-0. To approve Sewer Commitment (3rd QTR FY2026) for $176,094.75 — moved by Councilor Rhonda Stevens, seconded by Councilor Colleen Dana-Cummings; outcome: approved 4-0. To accept perpetual-care lots for Victoria Ganz ($550), David Mitchell ($550) and Gale O’Hara ($150) — mover: Councilor Dana-Cummings; outcome: approved 4-0. To hold Mobile Vending Unit Ordinance workshop April 1, 2026 at 6 p.m. — moved by Councilor Rhonda Stevens, seconded by Councilor Colleen Dana-Cummings; outcome: approved 4-0.

The minutes list Deputy Clerk Sarah Mutter as preparing the official minutes.