Skowhegan EDC votes to split costs for 24/7 elevator access at Renaissance Center

The Skowhegan Economic Development Corporation voted to split the ongoing costs of 24/7 elevator access at the Renaissance Center, assigning 34% to the corporation and 33% each to Patric Moore and Emily French.

The decision came after Bryan Belliveau, Director of Economic & Community Development, told the board that Tonja Lary had sent cost estimates for elevator access including monitoring and inspections and said the project’s fee structure depends on utility charges. "Bryan explained the need to understand utility costs before finalizing the fee structure," the board record states.

Board members raised operational and accounting details. Matt DuBois, the meeting chair, asked how costs would be split among the Renaissance Building and adjacent properties if easements expand access. Participants discussed yearly licensing, testing and repair costs and the possibility of tracking usage to allocate expenses. Billy Finley urged consideration of a feasible methodology for tracking use and cost allocation.

Reid Gibson moved that elevator costs be split 34% to the SEDC, 33% to Patric Moore and 33% to Emily French; Donna McGorty seconded and the motion passed. The record does not show individual roll-call votes or dollar totals for the annual costs.

The board did not finalize a rate schedule at the meeting; members asked staff to clarify utility and operational cost estimates before setting a fee. Next steps include confirming the annual utility and maintenance figures and determining whether additional properties will be added by easements that would change the allocation.