Lincoln County has a few more dollars to spend on affordable housing projects. Commissioners previously granted funds to Damariscotta and Wiscasset for federal American Rescue Plan Act projects, but both communities returned their funding. Damariscotta is returning $96,000 for its Ledgewood Court project. Wiscasset is returning about $240,000 because its project changed and the town couldn't meet spending deadlines, according to County Administrator Carrie Kipfer. 

March 3, Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Emily Rabbe presented three options on how commissioners should re-allocate the money. Commissioners approved all three of Rabbe's proposals: Two Waldoboro projects and one Newcastle one, which previously received an ARPA allocation, will receive additional funding. 

Waldoboro will receive another $150,000 in ARPA funds for its water "boosterization" extension project. In 2024, the town received S50,000 in ARPA grants. Rabbe reported Waldoboro is a "prime development spot" and could accommodate 153 more housing units. Waldoboro received a $1 million grant from the Northern Borders Regional Commission for the booster project. The overall project cost is over $3 million, according to Rabbe. "The town used the original grant to seek more grants, and this additional $150,000 would assist with pre-engineering costs connected to a Northern Borders award," she said. 

The Waldoboro water project also benefits another in-town project. Volunteers of America of Northern New England is working on an "older adult" affordable housing project in the former A.D. Gray School. An additional $150,000 is slated for a combined Waldoboro and Volunteers of America NNE project for a three-phase power project. These two are located next each other. This award is conditional on Central Maine Power approving a 650-700-foot wire extension.

For this, CMP still needs right-of-way agreements. Another potential hurdle is who pays for transformers and service connections? "The lead time for transformers is between 30-40 weeks. So, what CMP recommended is Lincoln County utilize ARPA funds to pay for the poles and wires, and get those installed," she said. "The town and VOA can pay for transformers and service connections when they are ready."

Rabbe said the project is awaiting CMP's confirmation the land  can be subdivided for three-phase power. Commissioners conditionally approved an $150,000 award, until May 1, to see if the timeline could be met. If it can't be, those funds could be shifted to another ARPA project in Newcastle.

The third project is in Newcastle, and commissioners approved an additional $36,000. The town previously received $120,000 in ARPA funds for acquiring an affordable housing site on Mills Road. 

The previous ARPA award purchased site concept drawings. Rabbe reported Newcastle is now hosting a series of six listening sessions geared toward how residents want to cultivate a "community feel" for the project. 

Rabbe said Newcastle needs additional funds to move a hydrant which sits in the middle of a proposed access road. Additional engineering costs are needed for utilities, road and stormwater work.

In other action, commissioners approved an out-of-state travel request for a trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Rabbe expressed interest in attending the National Association of Regional Councils annual conference in June. She requested travel approval to the June 7-9 conference.

Rabbe is also hoping to present at the conference. "Lincoln County has done significant work, and I think what we are doing is impressive, and a model for other regional councils to see," she said. Commissioners approved up to $2,300 for travel expenses. If Rabbe is selected as a conference presenter, she said the registration fee may be included. A past conference focused on regionalization and ways to better share services between counties.

Commissioners meet next at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 17 in the courthouse.