Cupola on the move Naples Historical Society is leading an effort to raise $30,000 Page 11A
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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 148, No. 11
24 PAGES - 2 Sections
Powers to step down
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — A local and well-liked politician announced her resignation a year before the three-year Christine Powers term had been served. Selectman Christine Powers’ resignation from the Naples Board of Selectmen was announced at Monday’s meeting via a letter she wrote that was read by the chairman. Her resignation is effective April 30, which will leave a one-year seat open for the town’s spring election. “It is a difficult decision for me to make,” Powers said during a phone interview on Tuesday. “Right now, it is more about striking a balance and earning a living. I do what I can to make ends meet. I had to give up something,” Powers said. “I am giving up something.” Since the re-election in November, Powers is no longer working in Augusta. “I had to pick up more work in addition to” her current job at Black Bear Café and Bistro. She said she had been subcontracting computer jobs to bring in more income. POWERS, Page 12A
Bridgton, Maine
March 16, 2017
(USPS 065-020)
Weather . . . . . . . . . . 12B
www.bridgton.com
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
SAD 61 tries to get below 3%
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Snip. Snip. Snip. Reviewing a list of 18 items, Finance Committee members sliced $1,025,655 from the proposed SAD 61 budget to drop the anticipated school spending increase to 3.04%. After discussing each line, the group last Thursday night asked Superintendent of Schools Al Smith and Finance Coordinator Sherrie Small to dig a little deeper to find a few more cuts that could drop the increase to under 3%. Smith and Small felt they could indeed find those savings without impacting student education. Items reviewed were: Bus purchase, $85,000, out of budget. Initially, the request was for two buses. Songo Locks portable, $91,000, to
be funded through fund balance money. LRHS elevator, $85,000, funds from the undesignated fund balance will be shifted to the Capital Reserve account to pay for this item. Facilities projects, $270,000. Small said the project list was “bigger than normal,” and $270,000 was pulled, for now. Facilities equipment, $17,900. Standard Interventionists, $35,000 plus $2,013 in benefits. The interventionist provided remedial help at three elementary schools. LRHS secretary, $36,000 plus 12,248 in benefits. With the retirement of a staff member, the number of secretary positions will be reduced from five to four. There will be some shuffling of duties amongst the remaining four to absorb the reduction of one position. LRVC retirement, $38,000. CSR teacher, $36,000 plus $2,500
benefits. The position will be retained, but will be funded with Title II grant money, not local taxpayer funds. Athletics, $4,000. LRMS Library, five additional days over the summer, $2,000. LRHS retirement, $68,000 plus $9,933 benefits, not filling this position (An Alternative Ed instructor. Officials plan to continue the program with two instructors and utilize some high school teachers to cover math and science.) Business Office software maintenance, $5,000. Copier equipment, $10,000. SBES teacher, $33,940 plus $11,621 benefits. District-Wide Curriculum, $30,000. This includes salaries, professional development, supplies and books. LRHS equipment, $10,000. SAD 61, Page 2A
TRYING TO KEEP PACE WITH MOTHER NATURE’S FURY — It was a busy day and night Tuesday as town public works departments tried to keep pace with the heavy snowfall, which dumped 21.5 inches in Bridgton. (Rivet Photo)
Togetherness in approach Selectmen, CDC look to reconnect
ALWAYS A MOM when it comes to taste in art, Raymond-Casco Historical Society Museum Curator Pamela Grant displays in her own home the art done by her sons when they were children. The top picture was drawn in colored markers by Dan Grant; the bottom photo was done in poster paints by Adam Grant. The assignment was along the lines of “use your imagination,” according to Pam Grant. (Photo courtesy of Pam Grant)
One on One with...
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer As a local developer, Justin McIver likely captured the feeling of his fellow committee members when he said, “We are passionate about what we are doing.” McIver and other members of the Community Development Advisory Committee see great potential here. The ball of change is starting to roll, but it has yet to gain the kind of momentum that some might like to see. Why? Issues tied to development have been discussed at great lengths, but as some CDC members told selectmen at a workshop meeting Monday, talk hasn’t always led to action. At the moment, selectmen and CDC members feel a disconnect exists
between the two entities. “This needs to be a collaborative effort,” McIver said. “I would like to see us have more togetherness in our approach.” The workshop’s aim was to review the CDC’s charge (see sidebar story), as well as address what the group should focus on as tasks for 2017. CDC chairman Chuck Renneker admitted that there have been some operational shortfalls including the group lacking a quorum at times, thus stalling work efforts, as well as failing to file updates to selectmen on a regular basis — something Renneker accepted blame for, citing a lack of time due to other responsibilities that kept him for at least drafting written reports. Renneker did suggest that a CDC report could be made to selectmen
each month, but encouraged the board to place time early in their meeting agenda for this report, rather than wait till later in the night. The group presently consists of 13 members, along with selectman Bob McHatton, who serves as a liaison. To have a quorum, seven members need to be in attendance. Planning Board member Deb Brusini suggested that the group downsize, thus lowering the needed number for a quorum. She suggested that present members, who are unable to consistently attend the early morning meetings (8 a.m.) could be designated as alternates. Renneker said the committee was grown to include people possessing an “array of talents.” CDC member Phyllis Roth asked CDC, Page 3A
Pam Grant Community info session on opiates
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — When Pam (Watkins) Grant was a little girl, she called Casco home. While she was busy living life with her parents and her siblings, with her friends at school and with her friends during summer vacation, Pam wasn’t aware of the rich history all around her. If teachers mentioned it, Pam admits she might not have been listening to that lesson. It was not until the 1970’s — as a working woman raising two boys with her husband Ray Grant — that she decided to volunteer for the local historical society, which at that time had a vibrant and active membership but no place to house its artifacts and donations. Currently, Pam Grant is the curator of the RaymondCasco Historical Society Museum that is located along Route 302 in the structure built and donated by her fifth cousin Skip Watkins. During National Women’s History Month, Pam talks about the museum’s role in the community and reveals her short list of her favorite women in history. ONE ON ONE, Page 2A
By Madelyn Litz, Director Lake Region-Fryeburg Area Adult Education I’ve given a lot of thought to all the information I hear every day about the crisis facing our society regarding the opiate and heroin addiction epidemic. Those thoughts and recent articles written by Dr. Peter Leighton, a member of the Lake Region Substance Abuse Coalition, prompted action by our Adult Education program. Although the community typically thinks of us as a way to help folks earn their high school diploma, plan and prepare for careers or college, or
offer courses to enrich their quality of life, it occurred to me that Lake Region and Fryeburg Area Adult Ed had an opportunity, responsibility and a large platform to champion an issue that affects us all. We are a community of learners, workers, businesses, parents, and students. We need to learn how to combat this epidemic in our country and can start by addressing the real needs locally in our own community to help those we love and care about. We invite you — the public — to attend a special information session facilitated by the Lake Region OPIATES, Page 5A
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