Mayor Andrew Moore will host a State of the Town event on Thursday, April 2, from 6–8 p.m. at Town Hall, 645 Holbrook Street. The event will include a presentation from the mayor and town leadership on current projects and policy issues, followed by a question-and-answer session with residents. Participation will be available both in person and via livestream.
According to a post published on the mayor’s Facebook page, the event will begin with a 30–45 minute presentation before moving into a moderated question-and-answer session. Questions submitted in advance are expected to be addressed first, with additional questions taken from attendees if time allows.
Moore said the presentation will cover a range of topics, including recent population growth, new business openings, the town’s transition to voting districts, and the search for Erie’s next town manager.
The mayor also said the event will include updates on infrastructure projects such as the Erie Bee on-demand transit program, expansion of police facilities, and preliminary work connecting County Line Road to Airport Drive. Other topics expected to be discussed include the Draco oil and gas project, water supply challenges, development of the Page Property, and future capital improvement planning.
Residents are encouraged to submit questions ahead of the event by emailing [email protected]. Questions will also be taken during the meeting, time permitting.
The livestream link and additional details about the meeting are posted at www.erieco.gov/StateoftheTown.
A gathering of concerned citizens is meeting at 5 p.m. at Town Hall to discuss their concerns about the direction the town is moving.
Among the issues cited by residents since Mayor Andrew Moore took office are:
Several major decisions have been approved on 4–3 council votes, with Mayor Andrew Moore joined by Mayor Pro Tem Brandon Bell and councilmembers Brian O’Connor and John Mortellaro forming the majority voting bloc.
The removal of Pride and Juneteenth flags from town facilities after the council majority voted to limit flags flown on town property to the U.S. flag.
Approval of a $70,000 community survey contract, an amount residents say was roughly double the typical cost of similar municipal surveys.
Revisions to the town’s Comprehensive Plan that removed provisions allowing developers to more easily incorporate mixed-use housing.
The termination of the Town Administrator, which became public after three councilmembers declined to enter executive session, requiring the discussion to occur in open session.
Communications between the mayor and St. Scholastica Church regarding a potential land swap involving property previously identified for affordable housing. The discussions came to light through public records requests, and some councilmembers have said they were unaware of the talks at the time they occurred.
Negotiations related to the potential sale of the town’s mineral rights, which residents say have largely taken place in executive session without public discussion. The town has also hired a consultant who previously served as COO of Civitas Resources to facilitate negotiations, with a reported contract valued at $4.5 million.
Approval of the Redtail Ranch settlement and preliminary plat, allowing residential development to move forward on land that includes a restricted environmental area and active oil and gas wells within and adjacent to the project site.