8747-R2_ML&P_Hollis_2022-2023_AnnualReport_Web

Town of Hollis Select Board Annual Report July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023

During the FY of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, the Town of Hollis Select Board continued to work closely with all aspects of the proposal for a New Town Hall. This included finalizing plans for the construction to include landscaping, location, core sampling, and other aspects of development. We also continued to explore additional resources for funding to include a Congressional Grant for $2,000,000, placing APRA funds in a protected account, selling additional excess Town property, and working with the Maine State Legislature to change the specific rules of how Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds can be spent. The overall goal of the Select Board is to be able to construct a new Town Hall building without obtaining any long-term bonds or increasing the taxes to the residents of the Town of Hollis. With the assistance of knowledgeable concerned citizens, the Select Board drafted a point paper concerning the Bar Mills Dam Decommissioning Plan with specific expectations of the citizens’ of Hollis. This project included a tour, a town sponsored meeting with Brookfield Renewable and ongoing monitoring of what is being done. The date for the submission of reports that were agreed upon have been delayed due to the high waters over the spring and summer months. The Select Board has been attending meetings with the Maine Department of Transportation concerning the update of the Route 202-4 corridor; installation of a traffic light at intersection of Routes 35 and 202; and the replacement proposals of the Salmon Falls Bridge; as well as the improved corridor from Portland to the western towns. We’ve also worked closely with the Road Commissioner to maintain the Town roads during the winter months with a “magic solution” applied to prevent icing; determining which roads need to be updated; and necessary clean-ups required from the increased power of storms. The Select Board continues to support the Fire Rescue Department, Parks and Recreation Department and Town Hall staff with voiced concerns of pay, retirement plans and benefits, as well as additional staffing needs throughout the Town. Despite significant increases in both school and town budgets, the Select Board was able to minimize the impact on residents by implementing the LD 290 tax break for eligible senior citizens in the 23/24 property tax season. The General Assistance program has expanded to provide services to asylum seekers as well as residents who are unable to make timely utility and rent payments. The overall goal is to help provide housing, heat, electricity, and food to those who are unable to do so. A key concern remains the lack of housing within the Southern Maine region.

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