Behind the Badge Remembered — Story of Bridgton’s first police officer, John “Jack” Cadman Page 4A
Together again
Inside News
The Denmark Mountain Hikers broke through Friday with their first group outing
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 2B Country Living . . . . . . 6B Directory . . . . . . . . . . 4B Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 5B
Page 7A
Opinions . . . . . . . 1B-4B Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 7A Student News . . . . . . 6A Games . . . . . . . . . . . . 4B Legal Notices . . . . . . . 3B
Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 150, No. 14
14 PAGES - 2 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
April 8, 2021
www.bridgton.com
(USPS 065-020)
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Plenty of signs Bridgton showing growth By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Kurt Boeker worked out of his home’s basement, building a small company that designs and sells nonlethal technology to law enforcement, the military and the general public for self defense. He needed more space. Bridgton caught his eye.
NEW CRES PRINCIPAL — Steve Gagne of Auburn, who is presently the principal of two schools in SAD 54 in Skowhegan.
Gagne picked CRES leader
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer This fall, Steve Gagne’s commute to work will certainly be a shorter drive. Currently, Gagne is the principal of North Elementary School and Margaret Chase Smith School, both located in Skowhegan and part of SAD 54. Monday night, the SAD 61 School Board approved Gagne’s nomination as the new principal at Crooked River Elementary School in Casco. There were 24 applicants for the position, with SAD 61 officials interviewing four candidates. “Steve has developed a great relationship with his students, staff and community while at MSAD 54 and during his time as a teacher,” SAD 61 Superintendent Al Smith said. “He currently lives in Auburn, on the Poland town line. Given his background, I believe he SAD 61, Page 6A
Covid update
To keep readers up to date regarding Covid-19 vaccinations and issues regarding the pandemic, The News holds a Tuesday morning conversation with Bridgton Hospital President Peter Wright. Q. How are vaccinations progressing? Wright: Vaccinations this past week went very well. We had a couple of clinics mid-week and our Saturday clinic, so we’re casing out COVID, Page 5A
Calvin Gorrell is “passionate” about pizza, and believes he has found the right spot for his wood-fired eatery — the space formerly occupied by Bare Bones Beer. When Justin McIver started to build apartment complexes off Portland Road, his phone kept ringing off the hook as people
inquired about availability. The demand remains very strong, leading McIver to launch Phase 2 of his Lakewood Apartments project. Deep in the woods off North High Street, a solar farm utilizing about 20 acres is in the planning pipeline. All four found Bridgton
as the ideal target for their projects. Bridgton is growing, and the town’s Planning Board is seeing it up close. With a full agenda Tuesday, Board Chairwoman Deb Brusini noted at the start of the virtual meeting that due to the numerous projects slated for review, officials had already pen-
ciled in another session for Wednesday, if needed. Despite lengthy discussions, the board cleared the deck after 3 hours and 45 minutes of presentations, deliberations and decisionmaking. After a 4-0 vote on the Finding of Facts and Conclusions of Law, approving the Mountain
Road Storage plan, presented by Mark Lopez, the board heard these proposals: North High Street Solar — Before civil engineer David Albrecht and project developer Ryan Bailey could present the project details, planners decided to hold a public hearing (April 28, 5 p.m.) on the proposal PROJECTS, Page 3A
Casco budget review returns
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — A request from a community member to re-establish the Casco Budget Committee transformed into an opportunity to see how other towns in Maine use a committee during the budget-preparation process. In late 2019, while Courtney O’Donnell was Casco Town Manager, she decided to eliminate the budget committee and put the responsibility of drafting the budget squarely on the shoulders of the selectmen. That way the selectmen could explain the budgetary warrant articles to citizens, especially during THE SCENT AND SIGHTS of Easter Day are enjoyed by Pastor Joyce Long. The parishioners order Easter town meeting, O’Donnell flowers and used those to adorn the sanctuary at Casco Village Church United Church of Christ. had said. (Photo courtesy of Joyce Long) Casco Vice Chair MaryVienessa Fernandes said it was extremely helpful to be part of the budget process last year. She said that she has sat on the board of selectmen for 12 years. During that time, the budget committee presented the budget to the By Dawn De Busk to get what they need spiritually with- do to be part of the Easter services. board for approval. “Since the town manager Staff Writer out physically being inside the church In this case to give flowers,” she said. CASCO — Typically, Easter building, she said. “The smell was so uplifting. It was so made the selectboard directly responsible, I have more Sunday is a holy holiday when people “Whatever way our members have beautiful.” understanding” of every part seek to attend church, and when min- been able to worship with us, whether KEEPING WORSHIP SAFE isters see the pews fill up. it’s Livestream, or holding their own For the most part, since March of the budget, Fernandes This past Sunday marked the sec- service from the bulletin, or live inside 2020, the Casco Village Church has said. She was advocating for ond Easter since the pandemic began. the church, they say that they are so remained open, because the numbers Pastors and church congregations are very grateful for this church that has in attendance remained low while the the selectmen and budget adapting — finding a variety of ways continued to bring them into worship pastor kept tabs on people who pre- committee to work together to offer worship. together,” Long said. ferred to stay home. Meanwhile, the so that the selectmen are While the Catholic churches in This Easter Sunday, a group of less church has gained numbers with a kept in the loop from the beginning of the budget proBridgton and Fryeburg have been able than 20 people from CVCUCC and faithful Livestream audience. to allow around 90 people into those the Raymond Village Church United The decision to keep the church cess. “With the budget comchurches by the time Easter occurred, Church of Christ (RVCUCC) braved open fell on Long’s shoulders, rather other churches with smaller buildings the cold to participate in an outdoor than being a board or committee’s mittee, it is hard to make those meetings. I would have been more cautious. Easter Sunday service that started at decision. All religious leaders have had to 6:30 a.m. “Basically worship is my zone. As make a suggestion to comcomply to new rules that changed how A few hours later, about 18 people the pastor, everything that happens bine the two: the budget congregations take holy communion, entered into the Casco church building with worship, behind the pulpit is my committee and the selectand other familiar activities like pass- to partake in indoor services, which responsibility. We never did actually board,” she said. Selectman Scott Avery ing the offering plate. were also Live streamed. On Easter, close down totally. I know my people. Pastor Joyce Long, of the Casco people who couldn’t make it in flesh, I’ve been here 20 years I know my requested that the topic Village Church United Church of adorned the sanctuary with flowers. congregation. I visit them frequently,” of re-installing the budget committee be on the agenda Christ (CVCCC), said that the method “We had 80 individual plants that Long said. of worship has evolved during the people had ordered for Easter. People “It was not irresponsible. We were for Tuesday’s Casco Board pandemic. Parishioners have been able felt compelled to do what they could CHURCHES, Page 5A BUDGET, Page 2A
Uplifting spirits
Churches finding way during Covid
Bill looks to expand Internet service
Walter Riseman wants to see rural areas in Maine realize high-speed Internet service. Last week, the local state representative introduced a bill to the Maine Legislature to take a step in that direction. State Representative Walter Riseman (I-Harrison) on Tuesday, March 23 presented critical legislation to the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities & Technology Committee that would more clearly show the lack of high-speed Internet in rural Maine and force the development of broadband Internet infrastructure. LD 83, “An Act To Clarify the Meaning of
‘Unserved Area’ within the State’s Broadband Service Laws” would expand the definition an geographic area where high speed broadband Internet is not available by increasing the standards from current low rates of 25 megabits per second to 100 megabits per second. According to Riseman, since being elected in 2018, many constituents have contacted him about lagging or non-existent affordable high-speed Internet to their home. Shortly after Riseman began meeting with state stakeholders on this issue, it became apparent that this work begins with the municipalities to
begin the process. Riseman working with municipal officials started the Harrison Broadband Advisory Committee, a town appointed committee to make a recommendation to the selectman on a plan to solve the broadband dilemma — and then began to involve other area nearby towns in western Maine conducting local surveys, completing their own mapping, and identifying the issues surrounding unserved and underserved areas of the community. The town committee found that: • Provider assessments of some unserved areas were inaccurate;
• Results of speed test data determined that upload/download speeds as presented were quite often inaccurate or over-stated; • Customer service and service quality were not favorably rated; • Expansion of Internet requested by the customers were determined to be unaffordable or unavailable.
In the town’s weekly newsletter sent out Friday, the Harrison Broadband Advisory Committee released resultsd from a survey conducted in late 2020. The BAC received 408 responses (23% of addresses). “The information collected enables us to continBILL, Page 8A
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