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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 146, No. 8
24 PAGES - 2 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
February 19, 2015
(USPS 065-020)
Weather . . . . . . . . . . . 7B
www.bridgton.com
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
Sewer line: study could paint clearer cost figure By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer As members of the Bridgton Wastewater Committee begin to embark on a public outreach campaign for an expanded sewer system, the question arises: is it too early to talk about how much it might cost?
Engineers from Woodard & Curran estimated in a feasibility study that extending the current Main Street system — down Portland Road to Sandy Creek Road, up Sandy Creek Road to South High Street, and back along South High Street to connect back up with Main Street at
Main Hill — could cost up to $21 million. That number, however, is based on many assumptions of unknown engineering details — and does not at all reflect the actual cost to taxpayers, after other sources of funding are factored in. Because of that, the com-
mittee chose not to include the estimate in the informational brochure they created, and brought to the Board of Selectmen for final approval at their Feb. 10 meeting. “Nowhere on this do I see the expected cost,” said Paul Hoyt, as Wastewater Committee member Lucia
Terry gave them all a copy of the brochure. Hoyt has previously expressed his reservation that Bridgton’s sewer system needs to be expanded. “We don’t have an expected cost,” said Wastewater Committee member Glen “Bear” Zaidman. “We were
told the worst-case scenario was $21 million. If you folks decide to go to the next step, and let the engineering people look at a piece of land and (tell us) what the land value will cost us, then we can put a number to it, to give the people,” Zaidman said. SEWER, Page A
Harrison man dies kite-skiing HARRISON — Adam Tsapis, 49, was kite skiing down Crystal Lake in Harrison Monday morning when a major gust of wind propelled him off the ice and into a shed along the shoreline. Tsapis suffered traumatic injuries to his leg and arm, and later succumbed to his injuries at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, according to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. Harrison Fire and Rescue were dispatched to Shore Lands Point Road at 11:08 a.m. for the kite-skiing accident. Rescue personnel then transported Tsapis to Bridgton Hospital, where he was taken by LifeFlight to CMMC. Kite skiing is a relatively recent development of skiing where the pull comes from a kite. It can be done on water,
Adam Tsapis
FREEZING FOR A GREAT CAUSE — This year’s jump into the frigid waters of snow, land or ice. The kites Highland Lake helped raise $32,000 for Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, executive director used for skiing are similar Joan McBurnie announced prior to 72 individuals taking the plunge. (Rivet Photos) to those used for paragliding, but are generally smaller since the kite does not need to provide sufficient lift to raise the skier from the surface. In 1996, Tsapis was KITE-SKIING, Page 12A
Time to turn to ‘smart snacks?’ By Emily Butterfield Contributing Writer FRYEBURG — Though there was much discussion amongst school board members, SAD 72 directors accepted amendments to the first reading on the policy regarding the nutritional guidelines for school fundraisers. As of July 1, 2014, all fundraisers that schools hold during regular classtime hours must meet the United States Department of Agriculture’s “Smart Snacks” guidelines. The policy states that foods must contain 35% or less of total fat and sugar, among other specifics. “What happens if the board doesn‘t approve it? It is mandated to adopt it?” asked school board member Steve Dupuis of Stow, who also questioned whether there was a revocation of funds if the policy was not adopted.
“The reason this policy is here is to give guidance to fundraising groups,” said Director Norma Snow of Denmark. “In the past, we’ve allowed them to sell cookie dough, but unfortunately the federal government says that we’re not supposed to.” She also said that even if the board decided not to approve the first reading on the policy change, they must still follow it because it is federally-mandated. “There are a huge group of people here in this district that work really hard and continue to work very hard to keep foods of minimal nutritional value out of the mouths of these children,” said board member Kathiann By Dawn De Busk Shorey of Sweden. “Most Staff Writer parents don’t want it…they CASCO — The Town don’t want cupcakes passed of Casco has driven in the around school.” Some members, such as direction desired and dicDupuis, were not as support- tated by its voting public. This winter, an electric SNACKS, Page 12A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer Most people — no matter how young — have heard the concepts “treat others as you’d like to be treated” or “walk in the other person’s shoes.” Some people would be surprised to learn that it is a worldwide concept — one that has been passed on to the next generation since civilization began. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is referred to as the Golden Rule; and it has been said in many languages. “The Golden Rule crosses all religions, all ethnicities, all nationalities, all cultures, and all tribes across the world,” Bridgton resident Marlena Buzzell said. “The Golden Rule has been
uniquely expressed by peoples over thousands of years and, in as far as we know, thus far, has been expressed in over 1,000 different ways,” she said. Living by the Golden Rule means trying to understand all people and being compassionate and kind to all people. Practicing the Golden Rule could very well be the antidote to bullying. The question is: How do you take the words and make them dance off the parchment into real action? The answer is magic. According to Buzzell, magician Steffan Soule has presented the show, “Attention, Magic and the Golden Rule,” to more than 75 schools in Utah and in Vermont. GOLDEN, Page 12A
Driving toward green technology
Can magic make bullying disappear?
car charger was installed outside the Casco Community Center. This summer, two more car chargers will make appearances at other locations in Casco. While rural Maine is a
tough spot to drive a purely electric car, many residents in small towns are testing out the automobile industry’s latest hybrid technology. That means when the vehicle’s battery runs low, the electric car will switch to its gas-powered engine. So, like the homeowner who burns wood in a woodstove to offset the cost of propane or diesel heat, the hybrid owners spend less on gasoline. Carl Bishop is among the Mainers who have been intrigued enough with the technology to purchase a hybrid. Bishop brought his vehicle to Casco’s ribboncutting ceremony for the town’s electric car charger. The event was held on the afternoon of Feb. 11. More than a dozen people showed up for the midday event, including two cham-
ber directors: Sue Mercer with Greater Bridgton Lakes Chamber of Commerce and Aimee Senatore with Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. Also, members of the Lakes Region Green Independent Party joined the ribbon-cutting get-together. As demonstrated at Casco GREEN, Page A
The Bridgton News
Town Meeting in 2014, the
USING A BALLOON and an oversized sewing needle, magician Steffan Soule illustrates to school children how they can buffer against the cruel words of a bully — words that can pop a person’s ego or ruin a person’s day. A local resident is applying for a grant to bring Soule to the region to present his magic show designed around an anti-bullying message. (Photo courtesy of Marlena Buzzell)
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P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2851 Fax: 207-647-5001 bnews@roadrunner.com