Public Meetings - Lewiston, Maine

The Lewiston City Council held a budget workshop on Thursday, March 12, 2026, to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Director Roy presented the budget, covering personal services, fringe benefits, capital projects, and general government departments. Councilors discussed the need for further cuts, the status of frozen positions, and the proposed new public health officer position. No public testimony was heard. The meeting concluded with a directive to administration to develop a menu of additional cost-saving options. Discussion Items - Personal Services & Fringe Benefits (Pages 16–28): The overall increase is $1.6 million (4.4%). Twelve full-time positions are frozen, including six from FY26 (two police officers, three Class C highway workers, one mechanic) and six additional for FY27 (one police officer, two Class C highway workers, one Class B highway worker, one mechanic, and one senior accountant). One new position—a public health officer—was proposed. Overtime increased by $110,000, temporary wages by $91,784 (21%), and fringe benefits by $549,978 (4%). Workers' compensation increased by $488,288, with the self-insured pool unfunded liability dropping from $3.4 million to $2.9 million. Councilor Nadine requested historical data on the workers' comp deficit. Councilor Chitam questioned the impact of underfunding on the city's bond rating. - Capital (Page 29): The limited capital cap is $27 million. The sale of Main Street Fire reduced the needed funding for the new Lisbon Street fire station by $25,000 (to $7.016 million). Councilor Nadine requested a multi-year breakdown of capital requests and funding. - General Government Departments: Reviewed city council (flat), mayor (increase of $4,700 for digitizing portrait and coalition), city administration (increase of $70,609 for the new public health position), marketing (increase of $6,387 in wages), city attorney (decrease of $7,500, including a new line for non-legal investigative services), city clerk (increase of $7,088, with election costs decreasing $32,000 due to one election instead of two), finance (decrease of $57,000, with the senior accountant position frozen), MIS (increase of $13,652, mainly for software licenses), assessing (increase of $51,749, including $22,990 for personal property revaluation previously covered by fund balance), and human resources (increase of $96,473, largely due to the transfer of the workforce development specialist from city administration as a grant expired). Councilors questioned dues, miscellaneous services, overtime, and the impact of frozen positions on departmental workloads. - Public Health Officer Position: Councilor Nagine recommended removing the position from the budget given the tight fiscal year and potential layoffs. Councilor Chitam suggested leaving it in the budget but freezing it. Administrator Kanerath noted the position was included at the council's request and that grant funding may be sought. Key Outcomes - Direction to Administration: Administrator Kanerath stated the city has already made $4.1 million in cuts and will develop a "menu of options" for additional reductions to present to the council. - Public Health Officer: No final decision was made; the council will revisit the position during budget deliberations. Councilor Nagine's recommendation to remove it was noted, but Councilor Chitam's suggestion to freeze it was also considered. - Next Meetings: The school budget workshop is scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Green Ladle. The next city budget workshop will cover economic development, TIF, and CDBG on March 17, 2026. The first public hearing on the budget is April 7, 2026. - Data Requests: Councilor Nadine requested historical data on workers' compensation fund deficits and multi-year capital funding breakdowns.

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the Lewiston City Council held a workshop to review the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 municipal budget and to discuss the legal process for amending the city charter. The budget presentation highlighted significant financial pressures, while the charter discussion clarified the difference between amendments and revisions, and outlined steps to correct a clerical error in the current charter. Consent Calendar - None noted. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made during this workshop. Discussion Items FY27 Budget Presentation - City Administrator Brian Cameron and Finance Director Tracy Roy presented the FY27 proposed municipal budget of $73,757,035 (a 7.1% increase in city operating costs). The county budget increased 20.5%, and debt service increased 13.3%. - Staff already cut $4.1 million from department requests to reach the 7.1% figure, primarily to avoid layoffs of filled positions. - Reductions include freezing six additional open positions (total of 12 frozen positions), cuts to street painting ($100,000), small business grant program ($250,000), public art ($58,000), salary reserve ($240,000), and $1.7 million in capital vehicles, among others. - Major budget drivers: contractual labor increases, rising health insurance, workers' comp, retirement costs, a 20.5% county increase ($1 million), police building lease payments, a $1 million+ drop in state revenue sharing, and no use of fund balance this year (vs. $7 million used in FY26). - Enterprise funds: Water utility recommends a 10% rate increase; stormwater recommends 7%; sewer no rate increase. All require separate approval. - The citywide revaluation (first since 1980s) will increase assessed value by 90.1%, but the city stressed this is a revenue-neutral redistribution, not new revenue. The mill rate is projected to drop from 32.78 to approximately 19.68 per $1,000 of valuation. - Councilor Herman expressed confusion about a large drop in total revenue (from $100 million to $20 million) on a revenue summary page. Director Roy explained that the tax levy (real estate, personal property, homestead, BETR) would be added later once approved by council, which accounts for the difference. - Councilor Chitam requested that budget discussions use the old valuation for consistent comparison, and asked for early PUC approval on the water rate increase. - Councilor Nagene voiced strong taxpayer concerns, requesting a detailed list of all nonprofit-owned parcels to identify potential tax-exempt properties that should be taxed as businesses. He also noted that residents face multiple increases (property tax, water, stormwater) simultaneously. - Administrator Cameron noted that about one-third of the city is tax-exempt, and that the budget includes one new position (public health coordinator, $100,000). He suggested it could be delayed or grant-funded to reduce costs. Charter Amendment Process Review - City Attorney Michael Kerry explained the difference between a charter amendment (narrow, shallow change) and a charter revision (broader, potentially requiring a charter commission). Both require voter approval. - Two ways to initiate changes: council proposal or a petition by 20% of voters. A charter commission (elected and appointed) would have 12 months to produce a final report. - Councilor Chitam noted that the 2021 charter review committee changes were considered amendments, and that a clerical error (a reference to subsection D that should be E) could be corrected via a council-initiated charter amendment, but he preferred the full amendment process for transparency. He plans to submit an amendment for the November ballot. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken; the workshop was informational. - The council is scheduled to receive further detailed revenue information on Thursday, March 12, 2026. - A public health coordinator position remains in the budget but may be reconsidered for grant-funding or delay. - The council will continue budget workshops with department heads. - Councilor Chitam will formally propose a charter amendment to correct a clerical error (subsection D to E) for the November referendum. - The city will provide the council with a list of tax-exempt properties as requested by Councilor Nagene. - The presentation materials will be emailed to all councilors.

The meeting began at 6:00 PM with a workshop on solid waste collection, followed by an executive session, and then the regular council meeting. Key actions included final passage of a mobile home park rent moratorium, approval of a $1.4 million financial guarantee for the Coliseum, establishment of a public safety committee, and adoption of a permanent immigration enforcement ordinance. Public Comments & Testimony - Shooting Fund Distribution (Item 7): Multiple survivors and community members (e.g., Keith Tremblay, Jennifer Zanka, Destiny Johnson, Lisa Jones) criticized the Maine Community Foundation for distributing only $4.7 million of $6.6 million raised to victims, with $1.9 million going to nonprofits. They demanded transparency and accountability. Others (e.g., Ephraim Saeit Ase) urged unity and called for more state support. Veterans and residents spoke about long-term trauma and mental health needs. - Mobile Home Park Rent Moratorium (Item 1): Residents (e.g., John Geary, Jean Carroll, James Malkett) supported the moratorium, citing rent increases of $50–$138, poor maintenance, and fixed incomes. Opponents (e.g., Julie Ann Smith of Manufactured Housing Association, Adam Crans of park operators) argued it would harm small local owners, delay repairs, and discourage investment. One resident noted that homeowners in parks pay property taxes and lot rent, unlike apartment renters. - Coliseum Financial Guarantee (Item 6): Youth hockey supporters (e.g., Gil Rogers, Todd Hines, Megan Hearn) shared emotional stories about the building’s impact on children’s mental health and community. Others (e.g., Matthew Egrin) expressed concern about the lack of a business plan. A veteran (Brandon Pelletier) supported the guarantee, saying the current owner did not care about the community. - Immigration Enforcement Ordinance (Item 3): Speakers (e.g., Craig Saddlemyer, Zoe Lidstrom, Martin Chartrand) supported changing “authorized” to “required” to protect constitutional rights and city resources. One speaker raised concerns about Flock cameras, but the mayor ruled it off-topic. Discussion Items - Solid Waste Collection Workshop: The workshop was not a voting item. Public Works and Casella Waste presented the “cart-to-curb” program, which will replace manual collection with automated side-load trucks for most of the city. About 27,000 carts (64‑gallon and 94‑gallon) will be distributed to single-family homes, duplexes, and some multi-unit buildings. The rollout is planned for July–August 2026. Challenges include 100 problematic streets, changes to the solid waste ordinance, and the need for public education. Councilors discussed cart size, cost, and enforcement of new rules. - Post-Shooting Needs Assessment (Item 7): Councillor Longchamps proposed a resolution to assess unmet needs of victims and survivors. The city attorney’s opinion recommended partnering with a third party. The Maine Resiliency Center will present at the March 17 meeting. Councilors agreed to hear from the Center before deciding on a specific path. - Mobile Home Park Rent Moratorium (Item 1): Councillor Chitam noted that the moratorium allows 180 days to craft a permanent ordinance. Councillor Nagin suggested sending the work to the housing committee. The moratorium applies only to lot rent increases, not maintenance. Councillor Martell supported rapid action. - Coliseum Financial Guarantee (Item 6): Milltown Sports and Entertainment requested a $1.4 million city guarantee to secure a $4.9 million purchase of the Coliseum. The financing includes a $3.5 million loan from TM Investments and a seller-held note. Director Blay explained that the guarantee would be backed by a lien on the property and personal guarantees. Councilors debated the lack of a business plan, the risk of default, and the need for more details. An amendment was proposed (and passed 4‑3) to require final council approval of the agreement. The main motion then passed 7‑0, subject to that condition. - Public Safety Committee (Item 2): The council adopted an ordinance establishing a permanent public safety committee, effective April 2, 2026. The committee will replace the current ad hoc committee. Councillor Chitam moved to set the effective date as April 2, which passed 7‑0. - Immigration Enforcement Ordinance (Item 3): The council debated whether city employees should be “authorized” or “required” to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Councillor Harriman moved to change “authorized” to “required” in three places, arguing that “authorized” is too vague. The amendment passed 5‑2, and the main motion passed 5‑2, making the permanent ordinance consistent with the emergency ordinance. - 59 Park Street TIF (Item 4): Peter Lavoy proposed converting a vacant building into 12 studio apartments. The project will increase assessed value from $227,000 to $1.3 million. The city will provide a 20‑year TIF returning 65% of the incremental tax revenue ($12,000/year) to the developer. The council voted 7‑0 to approve the TIF district and development program. - Lowell Street Omnibus TIF Amendment (Item 5): Due to a publication error, a second public hearing was held for the Lowell Street TIF amendment. No changes were made. The council voted 7‑0 to adopt the order. Key Outcomes - Mobile Home Park Rent Moratorium: Passed 6‑1 on final reading. The moratorium halts rent increases for 180 days, effective immediately. The matter will be referred to the housing committee to develop a permanent ordinance. - Coliseum Financial Guarantee: Approved 7‑0, with the condition that the final guarantee agreement must come back to the council for approval. The city will guarantee up to $1.4 million, subject to underwriting by TM Investments. - Public Safety Committee: Established as a standing committee, effective April 2, 2026. The ordinance passed 7‑0. - Immigration Enforcement Ordinance: Passed 5‑2 on first reading, with the words “authorized” changed to “required.” The public hearing will continue to the next meeting (March 17) for second reading and final passage. - 59 Park Street TIF: Approved 7‑0, authorizing a 20‑year TIF with 65% of incremental revenue to the developer. - Lowell Street Omnibus TIF Amendment: Approved 7‑0, with no changes to the original amendment. - Next Steps: The city will host a workshop on March 17 with the Maine Resiliency Center to discuss needs of shooting survivors. The budget presentation is scheduled for the next meeting. Councillor Nagin raised several items for future discussion, including expanding the rental registry, business licensing in residential areas, and removing duplicate utility poles.

The Lewiston City Council convened for a joint workshop and regular meeting to address police fleet enhancement, fill a vacant Ward 5 City Council seat, appoint a school committee member, and review multiple zoning and administrative amendments. The session featured significant public testimony regarding the Ward 5 vacancy, a contentious discussion on the City Council's process for filling the seat versus holding a special election, and routine business regarding city ordinances and board appointments. Consent Calendar - The minutes of the January 5th and January 8th meetings were reviewed and passed unanimously by a roll call vote of 7 to 0. Public Comments & Testimony - Transparency and Ethics: A speaker expressed strong opposition to the council's lack of transparency, citing instances of unethical conduct by members, including unauthorized communications via apps and unrecorded meetings, and demanded an investigation into the distribution of victim's fund money. - Immigrant Community Concerns: Multiple public commenters, predominantly from Ward 5, expressed fear regarding immigration enforcement and ICE scrutiny. They urged the council to appoint a representative who would protect the immigrant community and advocate for their safety. Several speakers criticized former Ward 5 Counselor Rini Sowell for social media posts they felt were divisive and hostile toward the immigrant population. - Support for Kiernan Majaris-Collins: Overwhelming public testimony from Ward 5 residents supported the appointment of Kiernan Majaris-Collins, citing his consistent allyship to the immigrant community, his work as an attorney protecting vulnerable individuals, and his commitment to unity. - Support for Rini Sowell: A smaller number of public commenters and some business owners advocated for re-appointing Rini Sowell. They cited her prior service, experience, and her election performance (receiving over 230 votes) as reasons to return her to the seat. - Election Integrity: Several speakers argued that the city council should hold a special election to fill the vacancy rather than an appointment, claiming that an appointment would disenfranchise voters who rejected the previous incumbent's re-election bid. Others noted that a clerical error in the charter review process should not override the will of the voters. - Safety and Representation: A speaker requested an investigation into the misuse of funds designated for gun victims, noting that over $1.9 million had allegedly gone to NGOs. Another speaker requested a special election for the Ward 5 seat, arguing it is the only democratic solution. Discussion Items - Police Fleet Enhancement (Take-Home Vehicles): - Proposal: Chief Carly Conley and Administrator Kenrath presented a proposal to transition the Lewiston Police Department from a pool vehicle system to a take-home vehicle model. The proposal includes purchasing 65 patrol vehicles at $65,000 each and admin/CID vehicles. - Arguments for Support: Chief Conley stated the primary goal is to address critical recruitment shortages (down 8-12 officers) and improve retention, citing take-home vehicles as a major benefit for officers in other jurisdictions. She argued the program would improve operational readiness (officers responding in equipped personal vehicles during critical incidents) and reduce long-term operating costs due to increased vehicle longevity (7-10 years vs. 1.7 years) and lower mileage costs ($0.40/mile vs. $0.49/mile). Administrator Kenrath confirmed recruitment is the top priority. - Objections and Concerns: Councilor Roy and Councilor Nagyen questioned the upfront capital cost ($2.7 million net capital increase over 7 years after savings calculations) and the inability to phase the implementation over multiple years without negating cost efficiencies. Councilor Nagyen raised concerns about the radius for assignment and operational readiness issues if cars are unavailable due to details. - Clarification: Chief Conley explained that phasing the program would extend the wear-and-tear on the current system and delay the recruitment benefits, characterizing it as "kicking the can down the road." - Ward 5 City Council Vacancy: - Dispute on Process: Councilors debated the process for filling the vacancy. While some suggested a special election, City Council advised that a legal opinion determined a special election was not permissible under the current charter due to a clerical error during the review process. Consequently, the council proceeded to nominate and appoint a replacement. - Applicants: Five applicants presented: Adam Buckley, Nicole Johnson, Kiernan Majaris-Collins, Chrissy Noble, and Rini Sowell. - Candidate Positions and Support: - Kiernan Majaris-Collins: A lawyer and school committee member who expressed support for protecting the immigrant community and prioritizing public safety. He was the subject of controversy regarding alleged past harassment of a fellow candidate, which he denied. Public testimony heavily favored him from Ward 5 residents. - Rini Sowell: The former incumbent who was defeated in the November election. She expressed support for representing the whole city and not just one ward. She faced significant opposition from Ward 5 residents and public commenters who felt her social media activity was divisive. - Chrissy Noble: A youth worker and mediator who emphasized conflict resolution and harm reduction strategies for substance abuse. She was nominated for her experience with underserved populations. - Adam Buckley: A veteran and fitness manager who spoke on core values and recruitment support. - Nicole Johnson: A resident and solar contractor who spoke on civic duty and the need for change. - Nomination and Vote: After public comment where Ward 5 residents overwhelmingly supported Kiernan Majaris-Collins (approx. 15 speakers) compared to one speaker for Rini Sowell, and receiving additional letters of support for Sowell, the council moved to nomination. Councilor Chitham nominated Chrissy Noble, and Councilor Martell nominated Rini Sowell. Following a vote for the nominee, Chrissy Noble received 5 votes to Rini Sowell's 2. A final nomination vote passed Chrissy Noble as the nominee for appointment. - School Committee Vacancy: - Appointment: The council discussed the Mayor's nomination of Linnea Hawkins to fill the Ward 5 School Committee seat. Councilor Martell moved to table the appointment until the newly appointed Councilor (Noble) could participate in an upcoming retreat; this motion failed 2-5. The council proceeded to vote on the appointment itself. - Ordinances and Zoning: - Tobacco Ordinance: An ordinance to expand prohibited tobacco use areas for Oak Park was introduced. Councilor Martell opposed it as an overreach, while proponents (including Councilor Longchamps and the Senior Advisory Council) supported it to protect residents from secondhand smoke. Passed 6-1. - Zoning Amendments: Six zoning amendments were voted on, including changes to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), daycares, mobile homes, and fences. A primary concern raised was a proposed 20-foot minimum height for NCB (Neighborhood Conservation) zoning, which Councilor Najene noted might exclude smaller existing structures. Councilor Chittam suggested an alternative based on surrounding setbacks. All items passed unanimously (7-0) with continued public hearings. - Budget and Administration: - Library Carpet: An order to transfer funds from the 2023 Library HVAC bond account to cover carpet replacement costs due to water damage was approved unanimously. - Special Election: Approval of actions for the special state candidate election on February 24, 2026, passed unanimously. Key Outcomes - Police Fleet: The council received a presentation on the Take-Home Vehicle program; no final vote was taken on this proposal during the workshop session, with discussions deferred to future deliberation due to cost and phasing concerns. - City Council Appointment: Chrissy Noble was appointed to the Ward 5 City Council position effective January 20, 2026, to serve until January 3, 2028, by a vote of 5 to 2. - School Committee Appointment: Linnea Hawkins was appointed to the Ward 5 School Committee to fill the vacancy, effective January 20, 2026, with a term ending January 4, 2027, by a vote of 5 to 2. - Ordinances Passed: - First passage of the tobacco use prohibition expansion in the downtown area (Oak Park vicinity) passed 6-1. - First passage of six zoning and land use code amendments (ADUs, daycares, mobile homes, fences, etc.) passed unanimously (7-0) each. - Order approving the transfer of Library bond funds for carpet replacement passed unanimously (7-0). - Order approving actions for the February 24, 2026 special state candidate election passed unanimously (7-0). - Future Actions: The council plans to hold a workshop with the City Attorney regarding the charter and consider a resolve to change the special election vs. appointment threshold from one year to 18 months in the February meeting.

On January 8, 2026, the Lewiston City Council convened a special meeting to address the resignation of City Councillor Iman Osman from Ward 5. The agenda focused on discontinuing the residency investigation into former Councillor Osman and determining the process to fill the resulting vacancy under Section 2.06 of the City Charter. After extensive testimony and public comment, the Council voted to proceed with an appointment process rather than a special election. Consent Calendar - Discontinued the investigation into the residency of former City Councillor Iman Osman by a vote of 7-0. - Made the City Attorney's memo regarding the vacancy process public following a correction of a typo from "less" to "more" in the document text. Public Comments & Testimony - Support for Appointing Rin Sewell: Multiple speakers, including Marcella Claire, Lisa Jones, Andrew Jones, Matthew Egwin, Kimberly Craig (via Lisa Jones), Janet Bowden, and Beth Matthews, strongly urged the Council to immediately appoint Rin Sewell, the candidate who received the second-highest vote count in the November election. They argued that Sewell had campaigned, earned voter support (230 votes), and was more qualified than starting a new search. They characterized the current situation as a "clown show" and a failure of the charter that disenfranchised Ward 5 voters. - Support for Procedural Compliance: Beth Matthews (Ward 3) and Marcella Claire emphasized adherence to the letter of the municipal charter, stating that the Council must follow the charter as written unless amended by voters or struck down in court. They argued that interpreting the charter to allow a special election would violate their oaths. Others, including Larry Pease and Steve Robinson, raised concerns about the integrity of the previous election and noted that the charter mandates the appointment process for vacancies occurring less than one year before the next regular election. - Concerns about Transparency and Process: Matthew Egwin and Beth Matthews pointed out the lack of public notice and the short timeline. Others expressed concern about the lack of a formal application process or public hearing before making an appointment, arguing that appointing Sewell without a public process would be undemocratic. - Criticism of Administration: Janet Bowden and Matt Roy criticized the Mayor and Council for prioritizing political ideology over governance, citing legal scandals and a breakdown of public trust. - Journalist Safety: Steve Robinson reported that his reporter faced threats and intimidation, prompting plans to file a report with the Lewiston Police Department. Discussion Items - Charter Interpretation: City Attorney Marty Eisenstein clarified that under Section 2.06D of the Charter, because the vacancy occurred less than one year prior to the next regular municipal election (November 2026), a special election is not authorized. The Charter mandates that the City Council appoint an eligible individual within 30 days, or the Mayor appoints within 10 days if the Council fails to act. Eisenstein stated that holding a special election would likely be invalid and open the city to legal liability. - Textualism vs. Intent: Councillor Chitam and others argued that the Charter contains an error or oversights regarding staggered terms and yearly elections, effectively forcing the Council to appoint someone for a full term without a Ward 5 vote. They advocated for a special election despite the Charter's language to uphold the "spirit" of democracy. Councillor Harriman and others countered that the Council must follow the text of the law as it stands, noting that the Charter Review Commission and voters chose not to adopt specific amendments that would have altered this outcome. - Appointment of Rin Sewell: Councillor Martell and Councillor Longchamps made multiple motions and expressed strong personal support for appointing Rin Sewell, arguing she was the rightful winner of the election. However, they initially lacked a majority for a direct vote on her name at this specific meeting due to procedural concerns and the desire for a transparent application process. - Procedural Motion: Councillor Chitam moved to direct staff to accept applications for the Ward 5 seat immediately, with the Council reviewing candidates and acting on the January 20th agenda. This was to balance the Council's desire to reseat Sewell with the need for a public process. Key Outcomes - Vote 1: Approved the discontinuation of the residency investigation into Councillor Iman Osman (7-0). - Vote 2: Adopted a motion to follow the appointment process under Section 2.06D of the City Charter (7-0). A prior motion to schedule a special election failed to gain a second. - Vote 3: Failed a motion to direct staff to place the appointment of Rin Sewell on the January 20th agenda (2-5 against: Councillors Chitam, Martell, Longchamps; Councillor Harriman voted yes for Sewell, but the Mayor and others voted no). The vote failed mainly due to objections regarding the lack of public process and the timing of the meeting. - Vote 4: Approved a motion to direct staff to make a public announcement accepting applications for the Ward 5 seat effective immediately, with applications due by Wednesday, January 14th, at 4:00 PM for review on the January 20th agenda (7-0). - Next Steps: The City Council will review applications (or nominations) on January 20, 2026, and make a final appointment decision by February 7, 2026, to remain within the 30-day charter requirement.

The City Council of Lewiston conducted its regular meeting on January 5, 2026, marking the installation of new council members and the kickoff of the FY27 budget process. The evening included a workshop on the Local Capital Improvement Plan (LCIP), the swearing-in of new officials, election of council leadership, and extensive public testimony regarding the residency of Councilor Iman Osman, leading to a vote authorizing an independent investigation into his qualifications. Consent Calendar - The council unanimously approved (7-0) ten items, including authorizations for the city clerk and administrator to sign various municipal documents (bingo games, liquor licenses, utility permits, liens, banners, deeds) and orders regarding electronic notification of special meetings. Public Comments & Testimony - Privacy and Surveillance: Beth Ames (Ward 3) expressed serious concern and opposition to the installation of Flock automated license plate readers, citing potential Fourth Amendment violations, data security risks, and lack of police policy oversight. - Disaster Fund Allegations: David Jones (non-resident) expressed strong opposition to the handling of shooting relief funds, stating he believed millions of dollars donated to victims' families were misappropriated by non-governmental organizations with no connection to the incident, and called for a full investigation. - Somali Community Support: Ephrah Sait Esse (Ward 2) spoke to correct misinformation, stating that Somali residents are hardworking citizens who contribute to the city through taxes and employment, and are not recipients of government-given cars or benefits. Mahidin Libar (Ward 5) expressed full support for Councilor Osman, emphasizing his deep local ties and role as a community coach and leader. - Support for Councilor Osman: Multiple speakers, including Martin Chartrand (Ward 5) and Jay Zimmerman (Ward 5), expressed support for Councilor Osman despite allegations, citing his knowledge of Ward 5 issues and the condemnation of his home as a reason for his residence status. - Opposition to Councilor Osman: David Jones and Lisa Jones expressed opposition to Osman's eligibility, arguing that living in a condemned building without a certificate of occupancy constitutes a violation of charter requirements and that investigating his residency is a necessary step for accountability. - Gun Violence and Safety: A speaker identified youth gun violence by rival gangs as the greatest threat to the community, contrasting it with comments made about other demographics. - Public Health Officer Request: Matthew Eggwern (Ward 4) expressed support for the creation of a dedicated public health officer with a health sciences background to better coordinate community health responses. Discussion Items - FY27 Budget and LCIP Presentation: City Administrator Brian Camrouth and Finance Director Tracy Roy presented the Local Capital Improvement Plan (LCIP). They noted a total of $239 million in five-year projects, with $42.5 million proposed for FY27. Camrouth highlighted critical projects including the Police Department's $5.2 million take-home vehicle initiative (to be detailed at the next meeting), Library HVAC upgrades ($48,000+), and various infrastructure repairs. Roy clarified that while Water, Sewer, and Stormwater projects are funded by enterprise funds, they still count toward the city's 80% debt authorization limit, placing the current plan $28 million over the limit. - Election of Council President: Councilor Chitam was nominated and unanimously elected (7-0) as City Council President for the term ending January 4, 2027. Councilor Najene expressed support while calling for increased transparency and accessibility. - School Committee Appointment: Councilor Harriman was nominated to serve on the School Committee through January 2027. Councilor Martell and several public commenters expressed opposition and expressed a lack of confidence due to Harriman's previous censure regarding the use of the Signal app to hide messages. Councilor Roy expressed concern regarding the time commitment. The motion passed by a vote of 4-3. - Board and Committee Appointments: The council appointed representatives to the 911 Committee, Airport Board, and various other boards with a unanimous 7-0 vote. However, public comment and internal debate were intense regarding the Lewiston Area Public Health Committee: - Megan Parks: Appointed (6-1) despite opposition from Andrew Jones who cited her blocking constituent emails. Melissa Dunn argued context matters regarding safety. - Joseph Philippon: Appointed (4-3) despite opposition from Andrew Jones, Councilor Longchamps, and others regarding his past separation from the Police Department and use of Signal. Supporters argued his qualifications and community service outweigh his mistakes. - Lisa Jones (Voter Registration Appeals Board): Appointed (5-2) despite opposition from Councilors Harriman and Osman regarding her past disruption of meetings. Legal debate ensued regarding whether the state statute requirement to "shall appoint" was binding, with officials noting the council is not legally compelled but it would be bad practice to reject a party's nominee. Key Outcomes - Debt Authorization: The FY27 LCIP is approved in principle as part of the budget process, though it exceeds the 80% debt authorization limit by $28 million, requiring specific council attention. - Independent Investigation: The council voted 6-1 to authorize the City Attorney to retain an independent investigator to prepare a report on facts relating to Councilor Osman's qualification to represent Ward 5 following a resolution passed in December. The investigation is limited to residency/qualification issues, not the pending criminal indictments. Councilor Longchamps explicitly suggested Osman resign until cleared, while Councilor Najene emphasized the investigation is necessary for transparency. - Public Safety: The council authorized a second executive session to discuss real estate acquisition/disposition and economic development issues. - Future Agenda: Councilor Nagy proposed future discussions on clarifying conflict of interest policies for RFPs, MOUs, and contracts. - New Business: Councilor Harriman proposed amending downtown no-smoking ordinances to include areas adjacent to Oak Park residences based on resident complaints.

The City Council convened for its final meeting of the term, marked by the departure of Councilors Aaron Sole and Timothy Gallant, while reviewing major development proposals, addressing housing condemnation, and managing ongoing community controversies. The meeting included presentations on the homeless shelter committee, the acceptance of council minutes, and a comprehensive update from the Lewiston Housing Authority. Significant deliberation surrounded the rejection of a proposed AI data center and the approval of a revised Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement for a new housing development. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: Accepted the minutes from the December 2, 2025, meeting (7-0 vote). - Funding Transfers: Authorized transfers of funds from the 2025, 2023, and 2026 Lewiston Capital Improvement Plan (LCIP) bond accounts for water main replacement, library carpet replacement, and the Armory Emergency Generator Project, respectively. - Property Disposition: Authorized the disposition of properties located at 23 Sand Hill Road, 23 Howe Street, and 32 Horton Street (7-0 vote). Public Comments & Testimony - Mass Shooting Fund Dissatisfaction: Lisa Jones (Lewiston resident) expressed strong opposition to the distribution of mass shooting donations to unrelated agencies, specifically naming the Lewiston Auburn Youth Network, and cited a lack of transparency regarding fund usage and a discrepancy between gun violence statistics and community safety outcomes. - Harm Reduction Support: Catherine Ryder (Spurwink) expressed gratitude for the Council's work on the syringe service ordinance and announced a rescheduled community cleanup event. - Public Safety & Data Privacy: Melissa Dunn (Community Organizer) urged the Council to implement a disclaimer on public comment submissions warning of potential life safety risks, including stalking and harassment by white nationalists, noting that personal information submitted publicly could be weaponized against speakers. - AI Data Center Opposition: - Matt Roy: Criticized the public process as flawed, noting the lack of community buy-in and the developer's lack of track record. He opposed the proposal due to the absence of a main address for Mill Compute LLC and comparisons to other cities where big tech retreated. - Kyle Matear (Software Engineer): Argued that the project offers minimal local revenue compared to tax breaks, citing that comparable projects in other cities had tighter conditions and shorter durations. He stated the business plan relied on a "GoFundMe" model rather than a viable financial strategy. - Hunter Bouchard (High School Student): Represented the student body's concerns regarding environmental impacts, specifically high water consumption during droughts, fossil fuel-based energy usage, and the detrimental effect on the local arts community. - Stephen Elwell (Software Engineer): Expressed concern over increased electricity rates and the installation of a natural gas combined heat and power (CHP) plant, which would pollute the local air. - Jay Zimmerman: Argued the data center would make downtown less livable, offering no community benefit compared to other uses like senior centers or schools, and would contradict the Riverfront Island Master Plan. - Zoe Lidstrom: Reiterated support for finding alternative, community-aligned uses for Bates Mill 3. - Sean O'Connell: Highlighted the excessive water usage (projected 125 million gallons in 20 years) and the risk to the Androscoggin River's water quality improvements. - Unnamed Speaker (African immigrant): Spoke passionately about the need to address homelessness first, criticizing the Council for prioritizing a data center over housing for the unhoused. - Kiran Maduris Collins: Called for a permanent moratorium on AI data centers in Lewiston. - Catherine S. Cressy: Expressed concern over potential respiratory illnesses and water pollution, referencing the "Dirty Lou" nickname and the loss of Lake Auburn's pristine water status. - Abby Roman: Opposed the CHP plant due to air pollution risks (respiratory and cardiovascular) and advocated for zero-emission energy instead. - Luke Jensen (Ward 2): Criticized the lack of transparency regarding the developer's identity and financial structures, noting the absence of a public input meeting comparable to the police chief search, and threatened a petition if the project passed. - Counselor Elect Controversy: - Catherine Truitt & Shukri Abdrahman: Spoke in support of Councilor Elect Iman Osman, framing the review of his qualifications as a targeted harassment campaign with xenophobic and racist undertones intended to intimidate minority voters. - Dylan Newell: Called for a due diligence investigation into theft charges and residency validity, citing concerns for high-gun-violence areas in Ward 5. - Bob McCarthy: Asserted that the address claimed by Osman is not a legal apartment and questioned the validity of his residency. - Marcella Clerk: Echoed calls for a full, transparent investigation. - Melissa Dunn & Jay Zimmerman: Argued the investigation was a manufactured public lynching and that the Council should not be assessing guilt or innocence before due process is completed, respectively. Discussion Items - Homestead Shelter Committee Recognition: Mayor Schalene and Councilors presented proclamations to the ad hoc committee on establishing a homeless shelter, particularly acknowledging Co-Chairs Michael Roy and Craig Sackmeyer. Committee members expressed that their work was rooted in compassion and community needs. - AI Data Center Proposal (Mill Compute LLC): - Council Positions: All seven Councilors (Sole, Gallant, Chitam, Harriman, Roy, Nagin, Longchamps) voted No on the Joint Development Agreement. Councilor Sole and Councilor Gallant cited constituent dissatisfaction and lack of satisfaction with answers. Councilor Chitum expressed that concerns regarding water use were resolved but other issues remained unsatisfied. Councilor Harriman noted 110 emails representing constituent opposition. Councilor Roy emphasized the need to listen to the public voice. Councilor Nagin cited a flawed public process. Councilor Longchamps noted insufficient knowledge to vote yes. Councilor Gallant later elaborated that while some water concerns were mitigated by new technology, the lack of community buy-in was a deciding factor. - Outcome: The motion to approve the agreement failed unanimously (0-7). - Lowell Street TIF Amendment: - Proposal: Director Nate Libby and developer Jason Levesque presented a revised Tax Increment Financing (TIF) amendment for a 152-unit "missing middle" housing development. The revision included a reduction in city-funded public projects from $1.5 million to $850,000 and a fixed $400,000 annual tax reduction for 20 years to secure HUD financing. - Council Positions: Councilor Chitam stated the developer's flexibility on design details and the project's viability convinced him to support the motion. Councilor Nagin highlighted the significant benefit of adding housing to the "missing middle" demographic and the knock-on revenue benefits. Councilor Harriman expressed general support for replacing parking lots with housing. - Outcome: The motion to amend the TIF district passed unanimously (7-0). - 102 Pierce Street Dangerous Building Hearing: - Presentation: Code Enforcement presented findings that the building is a fire hazard with electrical issues, exposed wiring, and lead hazards due to previous improper demolition. The owner, Black Ridge Group LLC (representing investors), proposed a $250k-$300k renovation with a five-month timeline. - Deliberation: Councilor Chitam requested a verbal report back from the Code Enforcement Director before any final demolition order is issued, expressing faith in the Director's judgment but wanting oversight. Councilor Gallant initially argued against the burden of reporting back but agreed to a simple email update. Councilor Nagin suggested a bi-annual report on all such projects rather than per-instance reviews. Councilor Harriman expressed concern that demolition would result in fewer housing units than reconstruction could provide, noting the motion's lack of explicit demolition language was confusing. - Outcome: The Council voted to adopt the findings and order (6-1), authorizing the administrator to take corrective action if the owner fails to act, with the understanding that demolition is a potential outcome if rehabilitation plans fail. - Lewiston-Auburn Community Market: Director Libby requested a six-month extension to the purchase and sale agreement due to Phase 2 environmental due diligence (underground storage tanks) on the former police station site. - Outcome: The extension was approved unanimously (7-0). - Review of Councilor Elect Qualifications (Iman Osman): - Context: Councilor Chitam moved to request the incoming Council review the residency qualifications of Councilor Elect Iman Osman, citing public concern and the current Council's lack of authority to act. - Council Positions: Councilor Sole voted Yes to ensure Ward 5 has a representative who actually lives there. Councilor Nagin called xenophobic language "vile" and "disgusting" but supported the move to show diligence and address the charter's lack of recall ability. Councilor Gallant argued the move was necessary to prevent the issue from being "squashed" by a future council president and to get facts out into the open. - Outcome: The resolve to request the review was passed unanimously (7-0). Key Outcomes - AI Data Center Rejected: The Council unanimously rejected the Joint Development Agreement with Mill Compute LLC (0-7), citing lack of public process, water/energy concerns, and economic disparity. - Lowell Street TIF Approved: The Council unanimously approved the first amendment to the Lowell Street Omnibus TIF district, authorizing a fixed $400,000 annual tax reduction for 20 years to incentivize the 152-unit housing project (7-0). - 102 Pierce Street Condemnation: The Council unanimously approved the findings of fact (6-1) for 102 Pierce Street as a dangerous building, authorizing the path to demolition if the owner fails to present a viable rehabilitation plan. - Market Extension: The Lewiston-Auburn Community Market received a six-month extension on their purchase agreement (7-0). - Qualification Review Request: The Council unanimously asked the incoming January 2026 Council to investigate the residency qualifications of Councilor Elect Iman Osman (7-0). - Syngue Service License Fee: The city business license fee for the syringe service program was approved at $100 (7-0). - Personnel Recognition: Councilors Sole and Gallant received plaques for dedicated service; the ad hoc homeless shelter committee received a proclamation; and a vote of confidence was expressed in City Administrator Brian Kenrath and Police Chief Connolly.