City News / Weather
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CITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
The City Clerk's Office is accepting applications for volunteer positions on various Boards, Commissions, and Committees including: the Special Committee on Comprehensive Planning, Board of Ethics, Board of Assessment Review, Historic Preservation Commission, and Bangor Housing Authority. Application forms can be downloaded at www.bangormaine.gov/cg_cclerk_volunteer.php and should be submitted prior to the end of May.
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CITY OF BANGOR SEEKS COMMENT ON DRAFT PENJAJAWOC WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
A Public Meeting was held on March 20, 2008 to review and discuss the recommendations included in a draft watershed management plan for the Penjajawoc Stream and Meadow Brook. This plan responds to a Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) draft report (the TMDL report) that will be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) documenting the impact of development and non-point source pollution on the water quality in these streams. The Draft Penjajawoc Watershed Management Plan can be found on the City’s website at http://www.bangormaine.gov/cs_financerisk_penjajawoc.php (click on Draft -Penjajawoc Stream Watershed Management Plan). Written comments from those unable to attend the meeting may be submitted until March 28, 2008 and should be addressed to Environmental Coordinator, City of Bangor, 73 Harlow Street, Bangor, Maine 04401. Questions concerning the plan may be directed to Wendy Warren, Environmental Coordinator, at (207) 992-4255.
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COUNCIL TO REVIEW HOWARD STREET NO LEFT TURN
Last fall, the City Council voted to make permanent a prohibition against left turns at the Howard and State Street intersection. The Council will be reviewing this decision and has referred the question to its Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. That Committee will discuss this at its meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13th. The public is invited to attend. The meeting will be in the Council Chambers on the third floor of Bangor City Hall. The left turn prohibition was recommended as the result of a traffic study performed by a consultant hired by the City to review resident concerns regarding traffic speed and volume on Howard Street. To view a copy of the traffic study, Click Here.
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OVERSIZED GARBAGE CONTAINERS WILL NOT BE COLLECTED
Due to concerns over employee injuries, Pine Tree, the City's garbage collection contractor, will no longer empty garbage cans that exceed 32 gallons in capacity and 30 pounds in weight. To avoid problems, please be sure that your container is not larger than 32 gallons and, when placed for collection, does not exceed 30 pounds. Other items that will not be collected include: cardboard boxes used to contain other waste; containers jammed with waste that cannot be easily emptied; and garbage bags weighing over 30 pounds.
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CITY ADOPTS SUSTAINABLE BUILDING DESIGN STANDARDS
In pursuit of our goal to be the most environmentally friendly city in Maine, the Bangor City Council recently approved a new standard for City owned building construction and renovation projects. This standard, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), requires the City and its architects, designers, and construction firms to integrate environmental design and energy efficiency into projects from their very beginning. The result will be reduced energy use and operating costs through longer lived, environmentally friendly structures that are healthier places to work and visit. Buildings consume: 70% of electricity and 12% of water; are responsible for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions; and produce 65% of all waste in the U.S. Such environmental impacts can only be reduced by integrating energy conservation and low impact environmental design into construction standards. A copy of the City’s LEEDS policy can be found at: http://www.bangormaine.gov/cs_finance_env.php.
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ESSEX STREET I-95 BRIDGE CLOSED FOR REPLACEMENT
The Essex Street Bridge over I-95 is being replaced by the State Department of Transportation. During the project, traffic in-bound on Essex Street will be rerouted to Broadway via Burleigh Road. Motorists are urged to use alternate routes and allow additional travel time during this closure
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LOW COST AIR SERVICE TO ORLANDO
Allegiant Air has begun non-stop low cost air service between Bangor and Orlando. Flights will be offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays on 150 seat MD-80 jets, and additional service is available during peak vacation times. Normal fares will be as low as $99. Tickets may be purchased through your travel agent or directly from Allegiant Air's web site at www.allegiantair.com
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CITY BAN ON SMOKING IN VEHICLES IN THE PRESENCE OF CHILDREN NOW IN EFFECT
The ordinance prohibiting smoking in vehicles in the presence of children under the age of 18 is now in effect. This ordinance was prompted by concerns over the negative effect of second hand smoke on children and was supported by representatives of the medical community and the Chamber of Commerce. Violations of the ordinance are subject to a $50 fine. For their health, protect your children from second hand smoke. Click Here
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CITY COUNCIL URGES MORATORIUM ON CHANGES TO STATE LAWS REGULATING SLOT MACHINES
The Bangor City Council is requesting that the three-year moratorium be adopted on any significant changes to Maine statutes governering slot machines. In addition, the Council has asked the citizens of Maine to oppose any efforts to modify these laws through the citizen initiative and referendum process. The moratorium is intended to sufficiently study the effects of slot machine gambling in Maine before any modifications to state law are made that would either eliminate or further expand the operation of slot machines. Penn National Gaming is scheduled to open the first slot machine operation in Bangor later this month.
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DEP ISSUES DRAFT BIRCH STREAM WATER QUALITY REPORT
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has issued a draft Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Report documenting recent studies of the water quality in Birch Stream and the areas surrounding the stream, commonly referred to as the watershed. The City has cooperated with DEP in this effort and has provided much of the necessary information needed by DEP to complete the report.
More Info, Click Here
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DID YOU KNOW NEWSLETTER-MAY, 2008
DID YOU KNOW NEWSLETTER-APRIL, 2008
DID YOU KNOW NEWSLETTER-MARCH, 2008
