Residents to decide on two Bangor ballot questions

For immediate release: Oct. 10, 2024

Contact: David Warren
Administrative and Communications Manager
Telephone: 207-992-4204
Email: [email protected]

Residents to decide on two Bangor ballot questions

BANGOR, Maine -Residents who head to the polls this fall will be presented with two ballot questions, one that proposes improvements to the City's public safety training facility and another asking if voters will approve an amendment to the City Charter.

Referendum Question A asks if residents will authorize the issuance of $2.4 million in bonds for the training facility. A treasurer's statement accompanying the referendum question explains that in addition to the bond principal, the estimated interest cost is approximately $1 million, bringing the total estimated principal and interest to about $3.4 million.

The Fire Department has a small training facility on Odlin Road near Bangor International Airport and plans call for a building to be constructed nearby that would have an open concept design large enough to store safety apparatus and equipment. It would also allow for an indoor space for training and equipment maintenance.

The second ballot question - Referendum Question B - would amend the portion of the Charter titled, "Nominations for Elective Officers to be Made by Petition."

Candidates for City Council or School Committee must collect signatures from registered voters in order to appear on the ballot. They must present a petition that's signed by at least 100 voters but no more than 150. But the Charter currently says that the number of petitions that any voter signs cannot exceed the number of candidates for office. "This change will eliminate this provision, allowing voters to sign any number of candidate petitions," the referendum question explains.

The way the Charter is currently worded raises concerns about infringing on the rights of voters to sign on behalf of candidates they may support.

City Council Chair Cara Pelletier said the Council has voted in support of both referendum questions going before voters, in recognition of the need for an improved training center for fire operations and for a Charter revision that removes restrictions on voter support for a candidate.

"The Council hopes that residents, whether they support the questions or not, will vote this election season so that their voice is heard," Pelletier said. "And registered voters don't have to wait until Election Day on Nov. 5 to cast their ballot. Early voting began Oct. 7 and is being held at City Hall until Oct. 31."

Early voting also will be held at the Cross Insurance Center from Oct. 28 to Oct. 31 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 31 is the last day for early voting. City Hall is located for the time being at 262 Harlow St., at the rear of the Penquis building, and the Cross Insurance Center is at 515 Main St.

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The City of Bangor, Maine, is a service center community of 31,753 residents and is the county seat of Penobscot County. Bangor is the major commercial and cultural center for much of northern and eastern Maine. The City is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. For information on City projects and news, see www.bangormaine.gov.

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