FARMINGTON – Selectmen met briefly Tuesday night to award two bids and determine a source of funding for Greater Franklin Development Council after an article at last month’s town meeting approved them to do so.
In an ongoing project on Front Street, the board authorized an expenditure of $28,011 to install decorative street lights. The project was awarded to the low bidder, Collins and Collins Electric. The funding will be taken out of the Downtown Businesses Tax Increment Financing account, which was determined as the source of funding at the beginning of the project. An additional $44,955 has already been spent on lighting, bringing the total to $72,966. The remaining $27,034 could be put toward more sidewalk work, according to Town Manager Richard Davis.
An additional bid for street striping was awarded to Lucas Striping, LLC out of Readfield. Lucas Striping was the only company to put in a bid for the work, and the town has used them in the past, said Davis. The total authorized cost came to $21,905.
Finally, selectmen voted to fund GFDC using the Franklin Printing TIF account, which funds several other smaller fees such as the Chamber of Commerce membership and the Androscoggin Valley Council of Government fee. Town members voted to fund the non-profit at last month’s town meeting in the amount of $7,200.
I hope these new decorative lights on front street have the light pointed toward the ground so as to minimize ground clutter pollution, a subject so dear to the late Tom Eastler’s heart. His views changed the lighting for the new Emery Arts Center project.
Take a drive through Wilton on a foggy or snowy night and you will see why they should be pointed downward. Not to mention the apartment dwellers with a light right out side their windows or how many have failed since they were installed.
I agree totally with Cheryl. We need street lighting that is practIcal and less decorative. Also the roadway on Front Street is a mess.
I hope Low bidder does not turn out like low bidder on the road work turned out to be like.
Ground clutter pollution? Isn’t that a term that refers to the demonstrators that clog the sidewalk in front of the post office?
Captain Planet, there are still plenty of countries where you could live and not be bothered by the eyesore of people peacefully asserting their First Amendment rights.
Hey, Captain Planet,
Be very glad you live in a country where you have the right to demonstrate. You could go to the Phillipiines if you are unhappy here in America. Or just stay away from downtown when there is a demonstration so that you won’t be offended. Or you could return to whatever other planet from which you came.
So Qtip, I’m supposed to leave my home for peacefully exercising my first amendment right? Too bad your type isn’t more ‘fair and balanced’…
If it was a pro gun rally,Planet would find something else to gripe about. I can’t imagine being that unhappy. He is probably the guy who shouts insults at the group,then speeds off.
@Captain Planet…Ha, Ha, like it!!
Peanut, you got me. Watching your liberal agenda ruin this country does cause sadness. However don’t assume(you know what that makes you) that you understand my emotional state. Pointing out how foolish people can be brings me immense happiness:-)