SINCLAIR, Maine — Contractors are working to add a new fuel storage tank and pump to Martin’s Store in Sinclair, an unincorporated village in the middle of the St. John Valley. The upgrade will allow them to offer fuel compatible with newer snowmobiles and ATVs.
The project was funded with the help of $60,000 American Rescue Plan Act funds and a $50,000 CDBG Business Assistance Grant via the Department of Economic and Community Development.
And while a sign outside the store indicates that the grant-funded work covers part of a $190,000 project, store owner Gerry Beaulieu said the price for the entire project is closer to $250,000 when factoring in costs for a fire suppression system, a new hot top, and electrical system upgrades.
The store owners will pay the remaining costs after the grants are applied.
Aroostook County ARPA Program Administrator Steve Pelletier said that, based on their previous fuel storage tank sizes, the store wasn’t able to sell super unleaded fuel.
“Mostly all the new snowmobiles burn the higher octane fuel, so they were by-passing the store to stop at a store that sold super,” Pelletier said. “So they were losing a great deal of business because of that.”
The current fuel tanks will remain at the store, but the fuel pumps and island were also replaced as part of the project.
Pelletier said that County Environmental was the lead contractor, and that they hired Soderberg Construction to handle the construction aspect of the project.
Beaulieu added that NJT Paving, Ken L. Electric, Interstate Fire Protection, and Babin Construction are also helping with the project.
Pelletier said the store is a critical part of the small community.
“Martin’s General Store is the only store in Sinclair and is the center of activity in town,” Pelletier said. “They sell a little bit of everything and also have a restaurant within the store. The owners, Gerry and Jennie Beaulieu, are actively part of the local community and do not hesitate to provide support for town activities.”
Sinclair resident Martin Dionne commended the crew for their work at the store, and added that it is an important part of the unincorporated village.
“Martin’s Store has a long history of being an important hub within the surrounding Sinclair community for the natives and for those visiting seasonally,” Dionne said. “Jennie and Gerry Beaulieu embody that fine tradition to the fullest.”
Dionne said they are both members of the local senior citizens center, the ATV club, and that Gerry Beaulieu is both a volunteer firefighter and assistant operator for the Sinclair Sanitary District.
Beaulieu said he was particularly thankful to Pelletier and the Aroostook County Commissioners for helping the business obtain the grant.
“The whole community is very excited about this,” he said, “especially the snowmobiling community.”
