The Haines Borough Assembly on a 4-2 vote Tuesday endorsed an integrated licensing process for the proposed Connelly Lake hydroelectric project. The assembly also rejected a proposal to charge harbor slip renters an additional $45 per year garbage surcharge to offset increased costs, and sent to committee an ordinance to raise water and sewer rates. Connelly Lake project developer […]

Facilities issues dominated Tuesday’s Haines Borough Assembly meeting, where members voted to explore purchase of the Elks property, seek proposals for a temporary metal roof on the Chilkat Center and pay $39,000 for the first phase of the community facility master plan. The goal of the plan is “to develop a specific capital improvement plan for how […]

Haines We the People, a local citizens’ advocacy group, has proposed a program aimed at intercepting an estimated $800,000 that leaves the community annually in credit card fees. At the June 12 Haines Borough Assembly meeting, resident Nancy Berland outlined the group’s thinking behind a potential “cash back for cash” program involving local merchants and consumers. The […]

Wood-pellet heat wouldn’t be cheaper than oil for Haines Borough buildings and it’s not clear it pencils out at public buildings elsewhere in Southeast where such systems are in place, Jim Rehfeldt of Alaska Energy Engineering told borough leaders Friday. Heating the school and pool with pellets comes closest to breaking even, with life-cycle cost comparison of […]

The Haines Borough Assembly voted 4-1 Tuesday to retain manager Mark Earnest, reactivating a contract that gives him the borough’s top job for another 13 months. Member Norm Smith voted in opposition. Assemblywoman Debra Schnabel, a candidate for the vacant manager’s position, had asked to be excused from the matter that was scheduled on the assembly meeting agenda as “interim borough […]

The Haines Borough Assembly last week reconsidered plans to proceed with the sale of lots formerly occupied by the primary school on Main Street. Assembly members will discuss the old school property at their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 26, following a public hearing. “The closeness of the vote, both with the planning commission and with the […]

The Haines Borough Assembly last week sunk a proposal to double annual and daily launch ramp fees. “I have no problem seeing an increase in the launch ramp fees,” said assemblywoman Joanne Waterman. “I’d like to see it spread over a little bit more time.” The assembly on May 29 discussed an ordinance with a revised fee schedule, […]

The family of a 14-year-old boy who drowned near the Port Chilkoot Dock has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Haines Borough, saying the municipality demonstrated gross negligence, including by not posting hazard signs at the popular swimming beach. The suit filed May 23 in state Superior Court seeks in excess of $1 million. Andrew […]