Harrison

(Continued from Page 1A) the next funding cycle is to partner with other communities that are less served to improve its overall score.

Doing so, Devlin noted, does not guarantee Harrison will emerge with a grant. He pointed to the Mahoosuc group, which consists of Bethel, Newry, Greenwood, Woodstock, Gilead, Albany and Milton Township. That group also did not land a grant.

Devlin suggested Harrison look to its neighbors and “see what they are doing and if they are making any progress.”

Another direction is looking to improve cell phone coverage, “which is not great,” Devlin said. “It could become a public safety issue a few years down the line.”

“It’s been a long road. It’s been complicated. Our Broadband Committee (which has been working on this issue for past three years) has been willing to travel down that road,” Town Manager Cass Newell said. “How we moved forward is going to be a serious discussion, where do we go from here? Our end goal is to get that segment of our town hooked up better. I am one of those. I have one option, a big satellite dish on my roof or pay $30,000 to run a cable to my house, which I don’t have in my back pocket and most of us probably don’t.”

One task that Newell under took when she arrived under previous Town Manager Tim Pellerin was to look at cell tower locations and coverage. One option would be for the town to site a tower, since it owns some properties that are high points in Harrison.

“We could potentially make money by encouraging tech companies to use the towers, as well,” she said. Newell said a privately-owned tower in town is full, so the need could be there for more tower space. “Towers could be a viable possibility.”

When asked for directional input, Select Board member Matt Frank first thanked Devlin and Newell on their work. Because of the number of people working remotely, broadband access is more critical than ever.

“Broadband is the most important thing in revitalizing Harrison for many years to come,” he said.

A one to two-page broadband update will be drafted and made available to the public before the annual town meeting.

In other business,

One board goal is to review and revise, if necessary, existing town policies. Two items addressed by the Select Board were what information can be posted on the digital sign outside the town office and use of town sand by residents.

Sign says. Select Board member Matt Frank posed whether town service/charitable organizations, such as the Lions’ Club, could post upcoming activities and events.

Currently, the policy allows for non-profit groups to post information, if space is available at that time. What is posted and when falls under the town manager’s discretion. Frank noted that in the past, sign posting was limited to blood drives, Christmas in Harrison, and Harrison Old Home Days.

“We have not used it for the service clubs in town,” he said. “If we are going to discuss this policy, where do you want to draw the line?”

“I don’t read it the same way,” Select Board member Penny Bean responded, noting the policy prevents forprofit groups from posting.

Select Board member Fred Ross questioned whether the policy should address postings by non-profits that refer to religious-related events or meetings.

“Are you saying there might be an issue of separation of church and state?”

Board Chairman Rick Sykes asked. “I hate to say that, but

THE SNOW was her canvas. In keeping with a February theme, 7-year-old Capri Allen, of Harrison, uses red food coloring to paint a heart in the snow. Snowpainting was one of the activities offered during the 2023 Winter Fest hosted by the Harrison Recreation Department and held at the RADR Field of Dreams on Sunday. Other activities included cardboard sledding, ice bowling, snow sculpting, going through an obstacle course and warming up by the fire pit. (De Busk Photo)

I think that could be true,” Ross said.

Town Manager Cass Newell asked that what ultimately goes onto the board does so under the manager’s discretion “because there is only so much room.” The digital program only allows four to five slides “to flip through,” and “if we need operational things for the town on there, I need to be able to include those.”

“It can be a slippery slope,” Frank added. “I hope we don’t see people’s birthdays up there.”

Frank noted that the Lions would decline posting information about their monthly Texas Hold’em tournaments, feeling it would be inappropriate to use a town sign to publicize gambling.

“There are people in the community who have issues with gambling, and so I would not want to put that up on the sign,” he said. “A pancake breakfast is different.”

Newell said promoters of the summer concert held at the RADR Complex were extremely disappointed that the event could not be posted on the sign. She informed the promoters of the town’s policy and its limitations. Newell felt the clearer the policy is, the easier it will be for her to give out information to those who inquire.

The Board unanimously revised the policy to read, “Events and functions of intown, non-profit organizations may be posted at the discretion of the town manager.”

Two Buckets. Frank said the town’s policy has been limited residents to two 5-gallon buckets of sand, and this restriction should be spelled out in the policy.

“I don’t see it in the policy,” he said. “It should be or generally understood there is limitations on free sand.”

Newell pointed out the existing policy allows “a reasonable amount of sand for personal use.” She felt the two 5-gallon limit could be added to that policy statement.

Public Services Director

Andy Ward said that specific language would eliminate some folks backing up a pick-up truck and filling the bed with free sand. Sand is available at the Transfer Station and the Public Works garage. Ward noted that public sand is outside of the PW garage area on Carsley Road.

Ross questioned if two 5-gallon buckets was too limited, seeing some people will sand a walkway or part of a driveway for an elderly neighbor, who is unable.

“Two 5-gallon buckets don’t give you too much sand,” he said. “I realize some people take advantage of this.”

Frank responded, “We are between a rock and a hard place. There are people who sand as a business and should be going out and buying their sand. If we don’t put a limit on it, they will be coming and taking it from the town, which the taxpayers are paying a lot of money for. There is nothing in here (the policy) that says you can’t go back and get more. Where do you draw the line? How much is enough and how much is taking advantage? I don’t have a good answer to that question.”

“I agree we have to draw a line, but there needs to be some discretion in some cases. I don’t know how you do that without playing favorites,” Ross responded.

Manager Newell said if there are situations more sand is needed, a conversation could be had with her and PSD Ward. She did not feel “exceptions” should be written into the policy.

“It’s happened in the past, people do come with trucks and come at times when there is no one there to monitor them. Being outside the (PW) gates, it’s an honesty policy,” said Newell adding that in some cases, those individuals took the entire pile. Newell recommended limiting sand amounts.

“Whatever you limit it to, it does cost the town money. I am all for helping your neighbors.” Newell also noted that neighboring towns also use the two 5-gallon restriction.

Chairman Sykes felt the two-bucket limit will not solve the problem of individuals loading a pick-up truck due to monitoring issues. He likes the current policy term, “reasonable.”

The revision passed 3-2 (Sykes, Bean against).

Crystal Lake Dam update. PSD Ward recently met with the contractor who said delays have been caused by personnel matters and parts issues.

PW has sand bagged, fenced the area and posted “No Trespassing” signs.

The gates are 90% complete, and should be finished shortly.

“We should see plenty of activity there in a few weeks,” Ward said. The hope is to complete the project by the end of March, particularly before the snow/ice melts and spring rains arrive, which would make working in that area very difficult.

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By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — Jewlz

Beyond Hair moved to its new space the day after Valentines.

The business was never closed. The employees worked all day on Feb. 14, moved the necessities to the new location after hours, and then reopened on Feb. 15.

“We didn’t shut down at all. We just stayed open and moved overnight basically. Everything was new, which made it easier to move,” owner Nicole Cox-Landers said. “I upgraded all the equipment — all the styling chairs, shampoo bowls, all of our equipment is new.”

One of the pluses of being in the new building is a better flow of space, she said.

“The new location will provide a better atmosphere. It is more personable. It is just us up here. It is a more intimate setting for our customers,” she said.

Both the clients and the staff are already appreciative of the new space.

“Everyone is loving it. I haven’t heard any complaints so that is good,” CoxLanders said.

“I love it. It has been working really well. It is a breath of fresh air,” she said.

Everyone is feeling eager to show off the new location to the public.

An open house is scheduled for Monday, March 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. in order to allow people to see the space. There will be refreshments, a product giveaway, and a raffle,”

“We are accepting new clients. So if someone is looking for a new stylist or whatever, they can show up,” she said.

Cox-Landers has owned Jewlz Beyond Hair for seven years. This will be the third location since she took over ownership of the business, which has been in existence for almost 20 years.

Cox-Landers owns another business called Lakeside Nutrition, which has been located off Main Street in Bridgton for about three years. The plan is to open a second Lakeside Nutrition store in the unit next door to Jewlz.

Lakeside sells “healthy, energy iced teas and protein shakes in more than 50 flavors,” according to CoxLanders.

“It should be by April that we’ll have the other location next door,” she said. Did she ever envision herself as a business-woman?

“I wanted to do hair. It kind of feel in my lap— owning the business. My grandparents were businessowners. My mom was a business-owner. Maybe, that was natural for that to happen,” she said.

“If I have something in my head. I will generally make it happen. I am determined. I broke my finger. The doctor said I can’t do hair. That was 5 weeks ago, and I’ve been figuring out how to do hair with a broken finger,” she said.

The opportunity to relocate came along when Ted Shane and Jocelyn O’Rourke Shane approached her, saying they were building a twounit plaza on their property off Route 302.

“They are clients of mine. They approached me about it. They said they were going to build the building. It would be perfect for both of your businesses there. We agreed,” she said.

“It’s better to have both the businesses together, side by side. It’s more personal because it is just me up there and not four other businesses like the plaza,” she said.

“All the same services as before: hair, nails, lashes and facials. Tanning is coming but it is not hooked up yet,” she said.

“It has been very much updated with all new equipment and a whole new look,” she said.