The pending closure of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) office in Calais was the primary topic discussed at a city council meeting held on August 11. The decision to close the office was announced on July 29, giving workers and clients 90 days to adjust to the change.
      "It's a critical location," Mayor Marianne Moore said. "There were 5,000 clients served there in 2015 C more than Machias and Ellsworth." Moore said that Mary Mayhew, the commissioner of DHHS, had agreed to speak with the county legislative delegation regarding the issue and that she intended to be there.
      A petition opposing the closure was presented to the councillors for their signatures. The vote to sign the document was unanimous except for Councillor Billy Howard, who said he did not yet know enough about the issue beyond the fact that the building cost $100,000 a year to lease.       Councillor Artie Mingo pointed out that there are other buildings available locally that DHHS could use, a point City Manager Jim Porter seconded. "I have several places in mind, and they're ready now."
      "At least they didn't lose their jobs altogether," Howard said, though Mayor Moore pointed out that those without transportation would lose their job by default.
      With the majority of the council in favor, the document was officially signed before being distributed to audience members for their signatures.
      The council reviewed the bids for diesel and unleaded gas, which are renegotiated on a yearly basis. Bids from both Dead River and V.L. Tammaro were received. Financial Director Crystal Gallina said that current fixed prices were $1.649 for unleaded and $1.793 for diesel, while $2.50 and $2.65, respectively, were budgeted based on previous years. As Dead River did not provide a fixed price option, the council opted to select V.L. Tammaro's offer of unleaded at $1.606 and diesel at $1.669.
      The council praised the recently held International Festival with specific acclaim for the cemetery tour and the Chair Affair events. The Chair Affair raised approximately $4,580. The highest‑bid chair C selling for $500 C was a nature scene produced by artist Martha Beckett for the Urban Moose. Mayor Moore praised the efforts of the organizing committee as well as the police department and public works in managing the crowds and the cleanup.
      City Clerk Theresa Porter said that the city had recently acquired five properties because of unpaid taxes and/or sewer bills. One of the properties, located on Lafayette Street, had experienced a burst pipe in its mud cellar. The sewer bill following the damage was approximately $7,200 and the water bill was $1,800. Porter said that the sewer bill for the property was typically the minimum amount. The council agreed that the amount to be abated would be determined at a future property committee meeting.
     The cemetery monuments will soon be repaired thanks to the official approval of the transfer of funds from revenue for crematory services. The total amount transferred is just over $8,000, representing revenue from 2013‑2016.