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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 149, No. 5
20 PAGES - 2 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
February 1, 2018
(USPS 065-020)
Weather . . . . . . . . . . 10B
www.bridgton.com
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
What is best path to follow?
GIRL SCOUT SILVER AWARD IN PROGRESS – Hannah Reed, 14, of Bridgton, poses with her swim class certificate by Highland Lake, where she assisted swim instructors last summer. On Saturday, Feb. 10, Reed is hosting a spaghetti fundraiser to help replace the swim shed that was vandalized and burnt this autumn. (Photo courtesy of Kari Reed)
‘Silver’ lining to bad act Girl Scout working to replace swim shed
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer Highland Lake might be covered in ice, but 14-year-old Hannah Reed has heart-warming memories of the summer days she spent being involved in the Bridgton Recreation Swim Program. It was devastating for Reed when she heard that the swim shed at Highland Lake was vandalized and burnt this fall. Luckily, she was able to turn her frustration into action. Reed is a Cadette in Girl Scout Troop #58. She was in the planning stages of earning her Girl Scout Silver Award when she decided on her
project: To raise money to replace the swim shed and the swim equipment. Not only is she trying to raise funds for this goal but she will also work with a local carpenter to build a new shed. According to her mom Kari, “Hannah will learn how to swing a hammer.” But, before Hannah swings a hammer, she will be serving up spaghetti. The Spaghetti Lunch fundraiser is one way Reed plans to raise money for the swim program. Prior to the fundraising luncheon, Hannah has asked local business-owners for donations, hung posters around town and posted the
event on community Facebook pages like the Bridgton Police Department. The lunch will be held Saturday, Feb. 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bridgton Community Center. The suggested donation is $5 per person or $20 per family. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go toward replacing the swim shed and its contents. When the swim shed was vandalized, all the swimming equipment had been stored there. That includes equipment for both the Woods Pond and Highland Lake public swim SCOUT, Page 3A
Debt collector to handle ER bills By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES – Some people probably have techniques for avoiding bill collectors – not answering the phone, blocking bill collector calls or claiming, “The check is in the mail.” If a person were to put the shoe on the other foot, what is the best way to collect a debt? Actually, there are methods that are more effective in collecting an overdue debt. That is one reason the Naples Fire and Rescue Department (NFRD) has hired another bill collection company. The NFRD has switched from Credit Bureau Collection Services (CBCS) Collections to First Financial Resources, according to Deputy Chief Mark Scribner. Prior to making the move, Scribner asked for a recommendation from a representative at Medical Reimbursement, he said, adding he was pointed in the direction of First Financial. On Monday, the Naples Board of Selectmen listened to why the switch was made. “CBCS – they were charging a high rate, and they had a low return. We weren’t getting much back from them” in terms of old debts being resolved, Scribner said. Also, on Monday, the board heard an explana-
tion of how these debts are written off by the department and no longer listed as expected revenue in the town budget. The board did not need to vote for the collection agency change to be made. But, the board did affirm the NFRD’s new policy regarding overdue bills. Simultaneously, the selectmen voted to raise the town’s emergency service fees based on fees from surrounding towns. The vote was, 4-1, with Selectman Rich Cebra opposing. “I don’t think we should raise rates to capture more money. And, I’ll leave it at that,” Cebra said after the meeting. As it stands, the town is owed about $140,000 in past due emergency services bills, Scribner said. “What is outstanding? We just wrote off another $44,000 to go to collections,” Scribner said. That most recent, yearold debt was sent to First Financial, he said. “What is on books with CBCS is $96,000. That is currently with the old collection company. They will close out those files and move them over to the new company,” Scribner said. “I am turning this over to First Financial.” Chairman Jim Grattelo spoke. “So, there is a good chance we won’t collect this COLLECTOR, Page 3A
One on One with...
John Hawley
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES – John Hawley is at the point in time that he is still being introduced to Naples residents. After all, he has been sitting in the audience during the Naples Board of Selectmen’s meetings. He looks like any other community member who is following municipal politics by showing up in person. Soon enough – on Feb. 26 to be precise, Hawley will join the selectmen at the table. With or without a name plaque in front of him, people will come to recognize Hawley as Naples’ fulltime town manager. In his hometown of Mechanic Falls, Hawley is a man who needs no introductions. He has been a part of that community for decades – having his place of employment and home in one place. His past and present is intertwined with the town of Mechanic Falls – a place where he has held top administrative jobs. His future in Naples – he said that is dictated by the ONE ON ONE, Page 2A
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer No one seems to doubt Bridgton needs a qualified planner on board to guide the town as it continues to grow. There is, however, some question as to what path Bridgton should follow. While some feel Bridgton should immediately advertise for a new community development director, whose job description currently includes an economic development piece, others like Selectman Bear Zaidman believe this is the right time to look at all options available. When Zaidman considers the past history of the CDD position, he feels it “hasn’t gone so well,” which is why he is strongly in favor of investigating options such as contracting with the Greater Portland Council of Government for planning services. Town Manager Bob Peabody inquired what GPCOG charges and what technical assistance it could provide. The cost is between $70 to $90 per hour, which Peabody informed selectmen that he would budget for the higher figure just so the town would not be “surprised” at any point. Such assistance could be provided to various town boards, including the Land Use Advisory Committee. Billy O’Connor, a LUAC member, said such assistance would have been helpful at a previous meeting as the group continues
to tweak a proposed ordinance that will go to voters this year. O’Connor pointed out that last year there were 55-plus permits taken out, showing the town does need a planner. “It’s a busy little town,” he said. “It often requires more expertise to get a project from A to Z.” Zaidman emphasized he is not against the CDD position, but wants to see if another approach might be a better solution for Bridgton than the path already traveled. Peabody pointed out that eight months ago, discussions with selectmen were held and the job description restructured, including a title change to community development director. “We pulled back the economic development piece,” Peabody pointed out. Zaidman also contacted GPCOG and after asking several questions, he came away from the conversation wanting to have a representative meet with Bridgton officials to talk about what planning services could be offered. “They work with other municipalities that have similar problems as ours,” Zaidman said. “I’d like to what COG has to say. We might come out the other end with a better plan. I want to see us progress and do well. Maybe it means doing it a different way…I’m not putting blame anywhere. I’m just saying it hasn’t been working BRIDGTON, Page 2A
Threat leads to student searches By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer When a written threat appeared on a Lake Region Middle School bathroom wall, officials proceeded in a different direction. Rather than close the school Monday, Principal Matt Lokken and his staff used the situation as a teaching moment. An electronic notice was sent to parents last week notifying them that the threat indicated a student planned to bring a weapon to school on Monday. “To ensure the safety of students and staff, administration contacted the superintendent’s office and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department to determine the appropriate course of action to address the threat,” the message said. “That response will include the presence of law enforcement at the middle school Monday morning when students arrive, and all students will be searched by administration to ensure that no weapons are present on school grounds prior to the start of classes for the day.” The message continued, “While the impact to learning this process will create is regrettable, it is also necessary to be sure the threat was without merit and the school is a safe place for that learning to occur.” As students arrived to LRMS, they were instructed to go to the gymnasium. There, all backpacks and
coats were checked. Principal Lokken used the moment to talk to students about the serious consequences that go with making threats, as well stressing the importance of toleration of others. No weapons or illegal contraband were found during the search. “It was business as usual, after that,” Principal Lokken said. “We also received some positive feedback from parents regarding how we handled the situation.” Some parents, however, may have kept their children home while officials addressed the threat. Lokken said there were 115 students absent Monday. LRMS has a student population of about 450. While bullying remains a major problem across the country with too many young lives ending via suicide, Lokken said LRMS routinely addresses the issue through a variety of awareness programming. One includes a visit by the Cromwell Center, which works with sixth graders on peer relationships and the importance of accepting those with “differences.” Lokken added that health instructor Steve Mercer also spends time on the issue, while the subject is also broached during advisory periods. LRMS was closed after the Thanksgiving break due to a perceived threat. Law enforcement investigated the matter, and a student was subsequently expelled.
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