Bangor infrastructure panel backs downtown snow zones, tree donations, street renamings

Bangor's Infrastructure Committee met Sept. 21 and reviewed a new downtown snow removal plan that splits the area into east and west parking zones, along with forest management plans for Prentiss Woods and Brown Woods. The committee also accepted several tree donations and advanced proposals on fire pond maintenance and two street name changes.

Key points

• Public Works presented a downtown snow removal plan dividing the area into east and west zones so parking is banned in only one zone at a time; about 60 to 80 signs will be posted once the committee gives its approval.
• Staff said 18,000 mailers went out asking residents to sign up for alerts, but only about 500 people have signed up so far.
• The committee accepted a donation of 25 trees from Maine Audubon and Bangor Beautiful, valued at $3,140; 10 of them are set for Abbott Square medians, which lack funding, so all 25 will be held at the city nursery.
• The committee accepted a separate donation of three Maine Audubon trees valued at $790, and a proposal from Retree US for 10 fruit-bearing trees at Fruit Street School with a yearly maintenance stipend.
• The committee moved forward a proposal making it city policy to maintain fire ponds in subdivisions with public roads, similar to how the city handles hydrants and stormwater.
• The committee advanced renaming Pleasant View Street to Pleasant View Avenue and changing Lilac Avenue to an extension of Virginia Lane; both go to the full council.

Next steps

• Public Works will order and install the east and west zone signs once the committee approves the snow plan.
• Staff will bring the fire pond maintenance policy and both street name changes to the full City Council.
• The city will hold donated trees at its nursery until funding is found for the Abbott Square median project.

Read the full transcript