Lewiston City Council Meeting – September 15, 2026

The Lewiston City Council met on September 15, 2026, at 22:58 (delayed due to prior executive sessions). The mayor and Ward 4 councilor were excused. Roll call votes began with Ward 5. The meeting covered routine approvals, public comments, charter amendments, a departmental reorganization, parking enforcement changes, a mobile home rent stabilization discussion, and a failed motion to waive attorney-client privilege.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from September 1, 2026 (6-0).
• Item 1: Authorization to accept transfer of forfeiture funds – passed 6-0.
• Item 2: Order approving disposition of 159 Pine Street – passed 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Charles Soleil (Ward 2, 78 Horton St.) asked the council to move agenda item 17 (shelter review) to the top of the agenda; the request was refused.
• Sherry Wagg (Ward 2, nurse practitioner, former CMMC employee) thanked councilors for supporting CMMC nurses’ unionization and urged the city to insist that Prime Healthcare reinstate eight nurses placed on administrative leave after an informational picket. She called CMMC critical city infrastructure.
• Christopher LaRose (Ward 1, Army combat veteran) criticized the needle exchange program, citing HIV/Hep C risks from discarded needles. He raised concerns about gun violence and said the city is not doing enough. He displayed a bag of needles and crack pipes he collected near his property.
• Rick Lashrapel (Ward 4) reported that ICE arrested an individual on Lisbon Street for overstaying a visa but had to release another with an active warrant for assault on a police officer because the city refuses to cooperate with ICE. He urged the council to change the sanctuary city policy.
• Kim (Ward 2) described smashed windshields in the Tree Street area and slow investigations. She questioned the distribution of mass shooting relief funds ($65,000 average to NGOs, $29,000 to victims’ families). She proposed allowing residents to work off city fines through community service.
• Jess Parquett (Ward 2) read two poems criticizing the city’s response to drug use, homelessness, and inaction on public safety and parking garage issues.
• John Horton (Ward 2) spoke against the mobile home rent stabilization ordinance, stating it devalues properties and quoting a Swedish economist who called rent control the most efficient technique to destroy cities.
• Lisa Jones (Ward 2, business owner) criticized the school committee for spending $10,000 on a drug prevention program while voting against a second drone. She supported ICE cooperation. She read an email alleging that a Ward 3 councilor attempted to take advantage of a homeless young woman. (Public comment then closed.)

Discussion Items

• Administrator’s Report (Deputy Administrator): Announced new business loans and grants (up to $50k loans, $40k grants), free application sessions on Sept 29 and Oct 13. Thanked attendees at the 9/11 ceremony. Updated on Wiseman Bridge lighting project (original white globes restored, bridge’s 100th anniversary in 2027), wayfinding signage (approx. 50 signs, installation spring/summer), Elmet Technologies’ $450M federal contract (30-40 new jobs in Lewiston), new ownership of COLSA arena (Recovery Real Estate Holdings), Great Falls Forum season opener Sept 17, Rally for Recovery Sept 26, and new staff hires in police, clerk’s office, and social services.
• Item 3 – Special amusement permit for live entertainment at Gridiron (1567 Lisbon St.). The city attorney clarified that new permits come to council, but renewals are delegated. Council discussed possibly delegating new permits to the clerk’s office in the future. The permit was granted (6-0).
• Items 4–7 – Four junkyard/automobile graveyard permits (Grimms Industries, Resource Waste Services, St. Laurent Properties, Lewiston Public Works). All approved 6-0 with standard conditions. For Grimms, staff clarified that trees cut by Maine Turnpike Authority revealed screening issues not the fault of the permit holder.
• Item 8 – Public hearing and order to put charter amendments on the ballot (filling city council vacancies and school budget action). The amendments were previously approved by council; the public hearing satisfied state statute. The order passed 5-0 (Ward 7 absent).
• Item 9 – First passage of an amendment to the administrative code to create the Department of Community Development and Strategic Initiatives. The administrator explained the reorganization after the elimination of the economic development director position: economic development moves under administration; community development becomes a standalone department (no new staff, no salary increases). Councilor Chittham praised the effort; public comment criticized the structure as illogical (Matt Roy) and raised concerns about fiscal oversight (Robert Glassby) and the placement of public health (Matthew Agrin). The motion passed 6-0.
• Item 10 – First passage of an amendment to the traffic ordinance regarding unregistered/uninspected vehicles parked on a public way for more than 30 days. The new violation carries a $50 fee. Police Chief Conley explained it provides an enforcement tool. Councilor Harriman noted lost excise tax revenue. Public comment included a resident calling the 24-hour towing rule excessive. The motion passed 6-0.
• Item 11 – Order authorizing application and acceptance of $46,600 from the Edward Byrne JAG grant (annual). Passed 6-0.
• Item 12 – Amendment to parking fees policy to establish fees for abandoned vehicles. Passed 6-0.
• Item 13 – Amendment to council rules to allow non-residents to speak during public comment periods. Councilor Chittham proposed it because the current rule was routinely violated. Councilor Harriman offered a friendly amendment to prioritize Lewiston residents/taxpayers. The motion failed 2-4 (Ward 5 and Ward 3 yes; Ward 6, 7, 1, 2 no).
• Item 14 – Discussion on proposed mobile home lot rent stabilization ordinance (no action). Council President reviewed the history: a moratorium was passed, the housing committee was tasked (without a formal written charge) to draft an ordinance. Committee chairs Craig Saddlemyer and Katie Lozy presented recommendations: Option 1 (simplified inflation-based limit with exemption for small parks under 100 lots and net worth under $75M) or Option 2 (copy Auburn’s ordinance). They acknowledged data limitations and process lessons. Councilors debated: Councilor Chittham favored Option 2; Councilor Martell opposed the ordinance entirely, calling it socialist and arguing no exploitation was proven; Council President noted the state’s lack of effective enforcement. Public comment: Jamie Alley asked Councilor Martell to recuse due to campaign contributions from park owners (over $2,000 from Boa Vita-related entities). Sean Geary (Fox Run) argued park owners are making profits and do not need guaranteed increases. Eugene Perole (Country Lane Estates, fixed income) said rent nearly tripled and he fears homelessness. Julie Smith (Manufactured Housing Association) argued the city lacks lawful authority and faces constitutional risks. Diane Gendron (Fox Run) disputed that Boa Vita parks are well-maintained, citing broken porches and safety issues. Councilors indicated positions: Noble and Harriman supported continuing with a more defined process; Longchamps said she cannot support it at this time. No vote was taken.
• Item 15 – Order to waive attorney-client privilege from the August 18 executive session regarding a potential lawsuit over the rent ordinance. The motion failed 1-5 (Ward 7 yes; others no). Councilor Martell argued the public deserves transparency; others (including Deputy Administrator) warned that waiving privilege would harm future legal advice.
• Item 16 – Moot after Item 15 failed.
• Item 17 – Resolution to conduct a review of the master services agreement with Alter LA Transitional Shelter (Cadence Kitchen). Councilor Martell moved to discuss, then withdrew the motion after no representative from the shelter came forward to answer questions. The administrator noted that financial reports required monthly were not being submitted, but promised improved compliance. Councilor Longchamps criticized the mess and admitted staff dropped the ball. The item died.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and routine agenda items (1-12) passed unanimously (6-0 or 5-0).
• Item 13 (non-resident public comment) failed 2-4.
• Item 14 (rent stabilization discussion) yielded no action; council divided on whether to proceed with a more defined process.
• Item 15 (waiver of attorney-client privilege) failed 1-5.
• Item 17 (shelter review) was withdrawn after the mover’s motion was withdrawn.
• Executive session (legal matter) approved 5-1.
• The council will continue to explore mobile home rent stabilization with a clearer process; the housing committee requested formal written charges for future assignments.
• The city will ensure monthly financial reporting from the shelter provider is enforced.
• Council President Noble will send a letter to OPEGA urging investigation into the management of mass shooting relief funds.