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Somerset County approves most matching grants, denies several private-business requests
Summary
At its June 3 meeting, the Somerset County Commission approved multiple $1,696–$15,000 matching grants for towns, nonprofits, schools and emergency services while denying or reducing several private-business and cultural requests after debate about fund use and eligibility.
Somerset County Commissioners on June 3 approved a broad set of matching grants for towns, schools and nonprofit projects while rejecting a handful of applications from private businesses and one public-art request.
“Commissioners discussed whether requests represented routine maintenance or eligible community benefit,” said Commissioner John Alsop during debate on several items. The board approved grants including $15,000 for the Canaan Fire Department SCBA units (Res. 26-78), $10,000 to the Mercer Historical Society (Res. 26-79), $15,000 for Forest Hills High School security upgrades (Res. 26-86), and $12,500 for Skowhegan Outdoors improvements to the Skowhegan Gorge area (Res. 26-96). The commission also approved smaller awards such as $5,500 to the Palmyra Park Boosters (Res. 26-93) and $1,696 for firefighter training tablets in Smithfield (Res. 26-92).
Several applications failed after discussion about the appropriate use of county matching funds. Resolution 26-90 (Merrill, Hyde, Fortier & Youney, $6,500) failed 0-5 after commissioners said private businesses should seek other funding. Resolution 26-94 (Holland Drug, $10,000) similarly failed 0-5; Commissioner Don Skillings supported serving vulnerable residents but suggested a nonprofit route. Resolution 26-91, a $15,000 request for repairs to the Skowhegan Indian sculpture (Watching Point), failed 2-3 with Commissioners Seekins, Stetkis and Skillings opposed. For East Pond Association’s data buoy project (Res. 26-88), Administrator Tim Curtis said total project cost was $22,000, which by county rule limited the maximum match to $11,000; commissioners amended the motion and approved up to $11,000.
The commission’s votes were recorded as part of each resolution. Several votes were unanimous; a few split 3-2 or 4-1 where members questioned mission fit or whether the work constituted routine maintenance rather than a community benefit. The commission’s actions will be reflected in the county’s grant accounting and community-benefit payouts.
