HALLOWELL -- City councilors Monday realized the importance of a public hearing before they vote on the third and final reading of a $700,000 bond proposal.

The bond would pay to construct a 275-foot steel bulkhead to stabilize the northern riverfront. It would extend in front of a deteriorated wharf that once belonged to the Eastern Steamship Co.

A number of residents who attended Monday's council meeting said they needed more information about the project before they could support spending that much money.

Andrew McPherson, former city councilor, said the city should borrow no more than a third of the money through a bond.

"Do we need to take out a $700,000 bond?" McPherson said. "And I'm not convinced this is the most important thing to borrow for when we need sidewalks and have drainage and paving issues ... the Fire Department's upstairs is useless. We have a lot of other issues."

Steve Goldman agreed.

"The money is better used for the Fire Department and roads," Goldman said.

Margaret Brown asked how much the city would pay in interest on the loan.

City Manager David Giroux told her $58,000 a year for the next 20 years.

Another resident, Michael Frett, said he's not opposed to the project, but he wants to know more before he digs into his pocket as a taxpayer to pay for the bond.

"I don't know enough about what is involved in order for me to formulate (an opinion) either for or against," Frett said.

After listening to residents, Councilor Charlotte Warren said she wants to hear what residents have to say before a final decision is made. She asked them to call her and other councilors to discuss the matter.

"I want to know what people think because that's our job up here, to do what people want," Warren said.

Earlier, Gerald Mahoney, president of the Waterfront Advisory Committee, handed councilors bound notebooks that documented seven years his committee worked on the waterfront development project.

"We have tried to make this process as transparent as possible," Mahoney said. "This includes a complete history of the planning process."

A resident who supported the project, Arthur Moore -- former Hallowell harbormaster -- said it would be a shame if councilors passed up an opportunity to improve the waterfront.

The second phase of the project includes an amphitheater, parking, public restrooms and a wharf where boats can tie up.

Since steamboat traffic ended in the 1920s, he said, Hallowell has neglected its waterfront.

"Someday we'll see this river so crowded with boats," Moore said. "I know we need other things, but this, in my mind, is something special."

Councilors agreed to hold a public hearing at their April meeting.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com