Aragon meeting called off due to bad weather

The Aragon City Council usually gathers once a month for a combined night of work session and their regular meeting, and January would have been no different but for winter weather.

Mayor Garry Baldwin decided the city’s business before the council could wait until February before votes were required and decided to call off their Jan. 18 session.

Baldwin said leftover icy patches following last week’s winter storm weren’t the only reason for the meeting needing to be called off. Some of the council members were also sick and wouldn’t have been able to attend.

The council will thus have to take up several items come their February 15 session, which include a vote on giving the council pay raises for their service as elected officials. Their pay is small compared to the rest of the city employees, but Baldwin said in 2017 that raises hadn’t been approved in a number of years.

Another issue that will need to come before the board are a second reading of the rules for local basketball courts that have recently been installed in the city as part of recreation improvements.

The city council heard a first reading of those rules during the December meeting, which also included penalties for violations.

Rules currently stand as follows:

Inspect the court before surface before you begin to play.

No skateboards or bikes allowed on the court.

Alcoholic beverages and drugs are prohibited.

Spectators and pets not allowed on the court during games.

No hanging from basketball backboard, rim, or net. Tagging or graffiti found on the playing surface or backboard may result in closure.

Court available for use during daylight hours only.

Use at your own risk. Violations of those rules are what will be new for city residents.

Should the ordinance be passed, breaking the court rules could have punishments such as a fine of not less than $100 but no more than $500, and a potential ban on using the facility.

Parents will be held accountable for those age 16 and under.

A public hearing and vote weren’t on the agenda for this month’s meeting.

Additionally, the city sought to approve funds to install gutters for the Public Works shed to be paid for via the special assets account, and for spending for a new police video backup system,

Costs for those items weren’t i mmediately available at press time.

The city council will also get to vote on new planning board member Mary Pope.