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Commissioners approve most matching-grant requests; business grant proposals draw pushback
Summary
At its June 4 meeting, the Somerset County Commissioners approved a broad slate of matching grants (many at $15,000) for towns, nonprofits and regional initiatives, while rejecting several grants to private businesses after objections about use of public funds.
The commissioners considered a long list of Matching Grant applications and approved the majority. Approved items included Norridgewock's gazebo replacement ($15,000, 4-1), Canaan Fire & Rescue air tanks ($15,000, 5-0), Jackman's pilot Paramedic Health Program ($15,000, 5-0), establishment of a regional code enforcement officer through the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments ($15,000, 5-0), and multiple community projects such as ADA access at the Madison Public Library and boat docks for St. Albans.
Several applications that proposed using county funds to support private-business building repairs failed after pushback. Commissioner Alsop voiced that, "public funds should not be used for building repairs," and his position contributed to the defeat of a $15,000 roof grant for Maine Grains (25-85 failed 1-4) and a $15,000 relocation/expansion request for Crooked Face Creamery (25-92 failed 1-4). Other community-focused grants and club projects carried by various margins; votes were recorded individually for each resolution as shown in the minutes.
