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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 150, No. 15
24 PAGES - 2 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
April 11, 2019
(USPS 065-020)
www.bridgton.com
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
Contractor: ‘It’s been a real tough winter’ By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Snow collected on the shrubbery immediately outside the window of the community center, and a plow truck made a pass on Meadow Road as the Casco Board of Selectmen prepared to hear from Chris Pond, the person contracted to take care of the winter-time maintenance on town roads. It was the board’s first meeting in the month of April. The humor (and exasperation) of it was not lost on anyone. “Today’s event was the 65th time we went out,” said Pond, who owns C Pond Plowing.
“Most of the events took three days for us” to clear the snow and get the roads sanded, he said, adding that many of the snowstorms ended in freezing rain or just plain rain. The town went through about 6,000 yards of sand and 700 tons of salt. Obviously, those materials are still being used. The wet snow tends to harden more once it is moved, Pond said. “It takes extra salt to break that pack and get it off the roads,” he said. Chairman Holly Hancock asked how Pond would rate this winter. “It’s been rough. It has been a real tough winter. I
have been looking for those couple easy years in the contract — I haven’t found them yet,” Pond said. Hancock asked about the breaks crews formed in the snowbanks to allow the water to run off the roads. “It is almost a necessity, especially during the rainstorms,” Pond said. “The ditches held up pretty good. There are some places where the gravel on the sides of the road did wash away. There was water running down the streets.” Selectman Grant Plummer asked about the responses Pond heard from the public. “I think the expectation is higher. A lot of people
have a higher expectation level because the state uses straight salt on its roads. We are not using the same product. We are trying really hard to get it down to pavement. We are trying awful hard,” Pond said. Selectman Thomas Peaslee asked, “Do you have a good handle on your equipment? I heard one of your trucks lost a motor.” Pond said his fleet was adequate. “Oh yeah, there are five trucks on the road right now. There is never a lack of tinkering and maintenance,” he said. Casco Town Manager Dave Morton spoke. “For the board’s bene-
fit, Chris has always been responsive whenever I call and he takes care of things very quickly. He doesn’t groan or moan about it,” Morton said. Pond joked that he was starting to moan over the winter weather, which has been a challenge. Peaslee posed another question. “What is the first day you had to plow,” he asked. Pond responded, “Oct. 27th. It’s been seven months of plowing.” Chairman Hancock commented that winter started early. “Is there anything else we should know? We talked about the sand and salt
shed,” she said. Pond continued on with that topic. “Moving forward, it would be great to tuck some money away each year” the construction of a new sand shed. “To get salt when we need it, every other community needs it at the same time. The building doesn’t hold enough sand for what we use. I can’t order the sand until I get the salt,” he said, explaining the sand clumps up without the salt mixed in. “When you guys built the sand shed 20 years ago, it was more than adequate. We have changed how we do WINTER, Page 2A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — A citizen objected to the financial hardship that a proposed milfoil ordinance would put on lake-based businesses. The Invasive Aquatic Plant Survey Ordinance was passed last year at Naples Annual Town Meeting. However, an error in the language accidently made it illegal to turn into the town
the aquatic plant survey. That error was corrected. This year, after the first public hearing, all bodies of water were added to the proposed ordinance amendment. Previously, the ordinance only pertained to Long Lake and Brandy Pond. On Monday, the third public hearing was held for the Invasive Aquatic Plant Ordinance. The hear-
ing took place prior to the Naples Board of Selectmen meeting. Resident Timmy Hamilton spoke as a concerned citizen. The businesses that will be required to follow the ordinance are those that have boat ramps. These include campgrounds and marinas as well as summer camp and lake associations. The survey of aquatic plants
is required to be completed by mid-August. According to the ordinance, the individual that does the plant survey must be certified. Hamilton said that in addition to paying a higher minimum wage for summer help, the businesses must either pay to certify employees or pay a certified surveyor. It will be an additional cost to pay someone MILFOIL, Page 2A
Milfoil rules bring objections
Author banks on Maine icons
BOSTON CANE RECEPIENT — Eloise Taylor, 99, of Harrison, holds the cane that she received as the oldest resident of Harrison. She was also given a bouquet of flowers during the ceremony on Friday. (De Busk Photo)
At 99: ‘I’m not retired yet’
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer HARRISON — Eloise J. Taylor remembers hearing about the people who received the Boston Cane when she was a young girl growing up in Needham, Mass. She was caught off guard when she learned she would be the next recipient of the Boston Cane, she declared during a ceremony at the Harrison Town Hall on Friday. “It was such a surprise. I never thought about my age. I haven’t even hit 100 yet,” said Taylor, who is 99 years old. She was born Dec. 5, 1919. She has been a resident of Harrison for 30 years from when she and her husband moved into the cottage at Wild Meadow Farm year-round. That is the summer home that was built in 1965 and is located on Long Lake off Route 35. Taylor loves the lakes and went on vacations in Maine every year. Her married life was spent in Needham, Mass., and then later in New Jersey, where she raised their four children while his job required that he travel. She was married for 65 years. After the couple moved to Harrison in 1987, her husband took the position of the Harrison Village Cemetery treasurer. When he became too ill to do the job, Taylor took over as treasurer — a role that association members say she did for many, many years. Taylor recalls one of her first jobs working for Carter’s children’s clothing store. “I worked in the office. I ran a tabulating machine,” she said. “I am not retired yet. I read and write. I still garden. I just keep up the house,” she said, adding that she takes care of her grand-dog, which is her daughter’s canine. Her daughter Nicki lives with her and said that as far as gardening goes, her mom “sort of oversees what I do. She talks as if she were doing it.” Nicki added that the flower gardens were in much nicer shape when her mom had a hand in it, but “she still loves her garden.” After talking about the activities Taylor likes, Nicki described her personality. “She hardly ever gets angry. She always sees the good in people. She is very even keel,” she said. “There are people who know her around town, and ELOISE, Page 3A
Cheryl: ‘I think it’s my best book’
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Cheryl Johnson has a good feeling that the latest adventure of Mish and Friends will be the one that propels her onto the national children’s book scene. If it happens, she can thank several Maine icons — including the big fish of all, L.L.Bean — for helping her to crack a very competitive self-publishing market. “I truly feel this is my best work, ever,” the Bridgton author and illustrator said. “I have a really good feeling about this book.” Johnson got the idea for the story in March 2018. The drawings took her over 1,000 hours, but she quickly added that she loved every minute of it. The book was completed last fall. “It will be my very first hardcover children’s book. I’m a bit overwhelmed by the response I’ve had so far, and all the interest that is being shown about my book of Maine,” she said. “I know there will be challenges of distribution and production, but nothing will stop me from making a success of my passion for art and storytelling. I’m thankful for the support I’ve been blessed to receive. Mish and his friends are shooting for the stars!” What separates Johnson’s latest release from 20-plus others in the “Mish & Friends” series is recognizable stops and landmarks that dot Maine’s landscape. To use the icons, Johnson had to seek out owners, pitch her book idea, and ultimately gain permission. It was a daunting task. “The Desert of Maine, these people were awe-
QUITE PROUD OF HER LATEST ‘MISH’ ADVENTURE — Local author and illustrator Cheryl Johnson displays her latest children’s book, “Mish and Friends Maine Adventure.” Not to give the plot some. They called me “Amazing!’ A member of L.L.Bean’s away, Mish and his Friends from California, and they said they absolutely loved legal team gave a quick crash in the Moosehead it. I e-mailed them and thumbs up, saying the com- Lake region and are strandshowed them a ‘spread.’ pany would be “proud” to ed in the woods. A squirrel tells them the leaf tent will The Freeport guy, wonder- be included. “They loved it. I was not protect them. Instead, ful. Can’t wait to get the book in his store. Fort Kent blown out of the office,” the group finds an old, lady, wants me to visit. Johnson said. “It was huge abandoned L.L.Bean boot Spoke to her for a half hour. for me. This book might that instantly becomes their She’s adorable,” she said. draw attention to my other shelter from a frigid night. When they continue their “I didn’t expect to get so books.” The boot plays into the travels on the Snail Floater many ‘yes’ so quick. I had no idea that people would storyline. AUTHOR, Page 3A be so supportive.” These Maine gems include the towering Paul Bunyan replica in Bangor BUT WE ARE RAISING THE and the Big F Indian (“F” PRICE OF THE NEWSPAPER. stands for Freeport) on Route 1 and covered bridgMaine Sales Tax of 5.5% creates es. To draw real attention to an odd price, so to make things easier the book, Johnson hoped to for our vendors and customers… land the state’s most recognizable landmark — the big As of April 18, 2019 Bean Boot at the L.L.Bean the price of the NEWS will be store in Freeport. $.94 + $.06 tax = $1.00 3T14 It’s known nationally. L.L.Bean was the “big one, the scary one,” which Johnson set out to secure first. Established 1870 Her illustrations immeP.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. diately caught the attention of those she looked Bridgton, ME 04009 to convince to allow use 207-647-2851 of their landmark or icon. Fax: 207-647-5001 The reaction was similar at bnews@roadrunner.com most stops — “Wow!” or
IT’S COMPLICATED…
The Bridgton News