Millinocket council approves warrants, Halloween closures, weighs runway funding

The Millinocket Town Council approved three warrants totaling about $203,000 and authorized street and parking lot closures for Halloween events on October 31. The town manager reported on the airport runway project, the upcoming tax commitment, blighted property enforcement, and other department updates, and residents raised concerns about debt planning and grant deadlines.

Key points

• The council approved the FY26 town warrant of $11,563.75, the town warrant of $171,288.38, and the wastewater warrant of $20,405.08.
• The council authorized street and parking lot closures for Halloween on October 31, including parts of Massachusetts Avenue, Poplar Street, Winter Street, and the Veterans Park lot.
• Town Manager reported the airport runway project faces a November 27 funding deadline after learning Monday that the contractor hopes to start woodcutting over the winter, raising concerns about needing a bond anticipation note.
• Councilor Raymond raised concerns about blighted properties and the cemetery, and the town manager said a proposed civil penalty ordinance for junkyard and property maintenance rules is with the town attorney.
• Resident Mary Alice Cullen asked the town to lay out a debt analysis covering the school, wastewater, airport, and general obligations, and the town manager agreed.
• Resident Scott Bushard suggested the town review termination clauses in the airport grant in case funding is not awarded.
• Councilor Pelletier welcomed new Fire Chief Kevin McCadam and praised Assistant Chief Matt Farrington, and the council noted the Trail's End Festival and downtown cleanup efforts.

Next steps

• The town manager will gather more information on runway funding options and communicate with the council in the coming week.
• Property values are expected to be posted to the town website on September 28, with the assessor presenting on the tax commitment at the October 8 meeting.
• The town manager will look into the timeline for tax lien and collection processes.
• The town plans to submit a new brownfields funding application this fall.
• The $20,000 check to Frank W. Rush Sons will be voided and rewritten for the October 8 meeting.

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