Bucksport council adopts 6 p.m. meeting schedule, approves routine resolutions

The Bucksport Town Council voted on a package of routine measures and scheduling changes at its most recent meeting, moving the town's regular meetings to a 6:00 p.m. start and approving grants, license renewals and account transfers.

The council adopted Resolve 2026-150 to set the council meeting schedule at 6:00 p.m. for the remainder of 2026, with specific dates noted for July through December. Town Manager said the administration will roll committee meetings into the regular 6:00 start when appropriate so the public will know the consistent start time.

In separate votes the council approved a modest safety grant, license renewals and other administrative actions. Deputy Chief Winchester described plans for equipment purchased with the Edward Donald safety grant and said the $2,907 award will buy flashlights for police and fire staff. The council approved acceptance of the grant (Resolve 2026-151).

The council also approved an amendment to the 2025 tax anticipation borrowing (Resolve 2026-152) to extend the borrowing period to help balance the current fiscal year budget, rescinded legacy special-revenue accounts and transferred remaining positive balances ahead of fiscal-year close (Resolve 2026-156), and approved transfers among capital improvement program reserve funds (Resolve 2026-157). Finance and committee representatives told the council these moves were intended to tidy up accounts and provide flexibility in closing the books for the year.

Council approved license renewals for the Bucksport Club (food service and liquor; Resolve 2026-153) despite staff noting an outstanding personal-property tax balance associated with the business. Officials said the town’s ordinances do not currently permit denial of a license solely for past-due property taxes; councilmembers asked staff to place potential ordinance language changes on a future agenda. The council also approved a renewal application to sell and dispense alcoholic beverages aboard vessels for American Cruise Lines (Resolve 2026-154).

The council awarded a bid for demolition and site cleanup of a tax-acquired property at 883 River Road, where an abandoned trailer will be removed before the property is listed for sale. Staff explained that, by statute, the town may deduct cleanup costs from sale proceeds so the cleanup imposes no net cost on the town budget (Resolve 2026-155).

All the listed measures were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote during the meeting; specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript.

Votes at a glance (actions reported to council):

- Resolve 2026-150 (set 2026 meeting schedule to 6:00 p.m.): approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

- Resolve 2026-151 (accept Edward Donald safety grant, $2,907): approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

- Resolve 2026-152 (amend 2025 tax anticipation borrowing): approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

- Resolve 2026-153 (renew food service and liquor licenses for Bucksport Club): approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

- Resolve 2026-154 (renewal to sell/dispense alcoholic beverages aboard vessels for American Cruise Lines): approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

- Resolve 2026-155 (award demolition/site cleanup bid for 883 River Road): approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

- Resolve 2026-156 (rescind legacy special revenue accounts and transfer balances): approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

- Resolve 2026-157 (transfer CIP reserve funds across accounts): approved (voice vote; tally not specified).

Council closed the meeting after setting its next regular meeting for July 16 and noting committee meetings will typically precede the 6:00 p.m. start when needed.