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Since many people who use the airport own property outside Greenville in unorganized territories in both counties, town officials said it's only fair that the maintenance costs be shared. Selectmen on Wednesday signed letters asking for support from both the Piscataquis and Somerset county commissions. Town Manager John Simko said Thursday that the town is the hub for governmental and commercial services for the entire Moosehead Lake region, yet Greenville is the only party contributing local tax dollars for its upkeep. And that upkeep isn't enough, he said. Simko said the airport is in "relatively poor condition." It has not been funded sufficiently for years, something that was unavoidable because of other pressing town needs. According to the town's updated airport master plan, the lack of adequate funding by the town has resulted in limited maintenance and repair of the facility. "This lack of maintenance has brought us to the need for capital improvement projects somewhat sooner than we might have otherwise," Simko said. Town officials are in the process of designing a maintenance program for the airport's upkeep, and are also prioritizing capital improvement projects that are outlined in the master plan, the town manager said. "We need some help to make it work," Simko said. No financial amount was requested for the two counties, but Simko said, "We're not looking for a huge amount of money." In the meantime, Simko said town officials are looking for some alternative funding in-house. He noted that the town receives about $8,000 a year for airport leases, money that is applied to the general fund. These funds, he suggested, could be earmarked for the airport. "If we are to have an airport, it needs to be maintained at an adequate level," Simko said. In other business, selectmen voted Wednesday to solicit bids for an architectural drawing for a wooden public works garage and recycling center. Selectmen had negotiated with Allan Morrill, the only person who submitted a bid for the construction of the building, and had asked him for a design plan. But since Morrill could not provide it, selectmen voted to solicit the design work. If Morrill can build the design at his bid price, the work will be awarded to him, Simko said. If he cannot, then bids will be solicited again for its construction.
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