Striking gold, again Fryeburg Academy jazz groups capture top honors at state vocal festival Page 11B
Tight finishes
Inside News
Home runs and clutch catches prove the differences in Laker & Raider diamond battles
Calendar . . . . . . . 6A, 8A Classifieds . . . . . . 6B-7B Country Living . . 7A-11A
Page 7B
Directory . . . . . . . . . . 5B Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 6A Opinions . . . . . . . 1B-5B Police/Court . . . . . 4A-5A Sports . . . . . . . . . 7B-9B School . . . . . . 11B-12B Games . . . . . . . . . . . . 5B
Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 149, No. 17
24 PAGES - 2 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
April 26, 2018
(USPS 065-020)
Weather . . . . . . . . . . . 7B
www.bridgton.com
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
Arsonists destroy Old School House in Casco
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO – A pair of arsonists started the fire that ultimately destroyed the 150-year-old Old School House in Casco. The fire, which happened early Sunday morning, altered plans to move the historical building closer to the Raymond-Casco Historical Society Museum located on land off Roosevelt Trail. The schoolhouse is located in Casco Village, almost immediately behind the Casco Public Library and in the vicinity of the Casco Community Center. “It was moved from Quaker Ridge in the 1970’s. The early ’70’s was when the historical society was formed. It was given to the historical society by the Leona Edwards family,” said Pam Grant, a longtime Casco resident who is the curator of the museum in South
Devin Richardson-Gurney Casco. The Friends School House “was beautiful old building. It is so sad. It is devastating because you cannot replace it. It doesn’t matter if it was a school bell that was original or a flyer, it is priceless and it can-
Edward Scott not be replaced,” Grant said. “Tim and Rose Symonds were the curators. They loved it as well,” she said. “I was up there yesterday (Tuesday), and it is just so sad,” PIECE OF HISTORY LOST – Now boarded up, the Raymond-Casco Historical Society’s Old School House was burnt early Sunday morning. The fire was caused by she said. ARSON, Page 12A arsonists, who have been arrested. (De Busk Photo)
Citizen petition accepted, officials cite flaw By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer A citizen petition seeking to change how Bridgton disposes of town-owned property will be on the June warrant, but officials pointed out Tuesday night, it is flawed. If the petition were approved — Board of Selectmen Chairman Greg Watkins noted that on legal advice the petition be included on the warrant as written — it would force officials to include all tax-acquired
property in the competitive bid process. Ironically, selectmen came to terms with two property owners (Hio Ridge Road and Green Street) Tuesday night enabling them to pay back taxes, agree to make specific improvements as recommended by Code Enforcement Rob Baker and reclaim their homes. Working with property owners to reclaim tax-acquired real estate has been a longstanding practice in towns
throughout the region. Tom Smith, who help spearhead the petition drive, claimed the intent was mandate that the town publicly advertise that surplus property is available for sale and to notify abutters. Smith added if town officials had followed this process in regards to the townowned piece of land at the Saunders Mill site sold to developer Justin McIver of Main Eco Homes, a citizen petition would not have
been needed. The petition was accepted, having 241 valid signatures — two above the required number. The article reads, “All town-owned properties to be sold shall be sold by announced auction and shall be advertised in the Bridgton News, the town website and all social media platforms controlled by the town for a minimum of 30 days. The minimum sales price shall be no less than 70 percent of market value. Abutters shall
be given written notice.” Smith pointed out that the “70 percent” was included because petitioners felt the Saunders’ land sold to McIver was “substantially” below market value. The town accepted $20,000. Smith claims the town would have received a much higher figure if the general public knew the lot was for sale. He added that the land could have even been given to the town as a conservation measure. Selectman Bob McHatton
agrees with 95 percent of the petition, but declined to sign the petition because of the “70 percent” stipulation. “It doesn’t say who determines the value,” he said. Town attorney Agnieszka A. Dixon of Drummond Woodsum of Portland pointed out that the petition does not specifically request a secret ballot vote, thus selectmen may treat it as a request to be considered during open town meeting. PETITION, Page 2A
Biz tax tabled
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — Residents got a chance to speak for and against a proposed policy that would allow the Town of Naples to apply people’s property tax payments toward old debts on their business tax account. However, the tax-payment policy will not be implemented in Naples. Following the public hearing, the Naples Board of Selectmen killed the proposed policy by tabling it indefinitely. According to Naples Town Manager John Hawley, the board is considering another way to collect personal property tax in a timelier manner. “The alternative route” would be for the Town of Naples to require that business owners bring their personal property tax bill balance to zero before receiving an annual busiPUTTING THE RUBBER TO THE ROAD — A group of boys rolled tires and car parts to the edge of the road during ness license, he said. “We would establish a the community clean up in Harrison on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of AM Enterprises, Inc.) stricter requirement to have a
business license,” Hawley said. “The specifics have yet to be ironed out.” The personal property tax, also called a business equipment tax, is applicable for business owners. It is different than real estate property taxes. During the past year, the town assessor went through the process of updating the business equipment tax accounts. Additionally, over the past few years, the selectmen — as well as residents at selectmen’s meetings — have discussed how to put pressure on business owners who owe past due bills on their personal property tax accounts. The public hearing on the proposed tax-payment policy was held March 26; and it drew a variety of opinions from locals. The selectmen, too, were split on their viewpoints. Longtime resident Roger Clement, who attends almost every selectmen meeting, testified during the hearing. BIZ TAX, Page 12A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO – Three’s a charm? Casco Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) Alex Sirois discussed with the Casco Board of Selectmen a third replanting plan that was in the process of being approved by the Department of Environmental Protection. (DEP).
The initial replanting plan was required after six pine trees were removed on Parsons Point in 2015. Currently, the homeowners on Parsons Point were issued a Shoreland Zone Ordinance violation because the 12 trees that were part of the replanting plan did not survive, Sirois REPLANTING, Page 5A
Taking care of Mother Earth
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer HARRISON — People who live in Harrison often mention how theirs is a community where residents gather together and pitch in whenever there is a need. The need could be: helping out an ill neighbor, supporting a fundraiser for a historical building, or spending a weekend morning removing trash left on public roadsides after the winter. More than one hundred people arrived at the Harrison Fire Station on Saturday morning; and after pausing for a group photo, the people split into groups and spent the next two hours picking
up trash. By mid-day, the windblown and buried trash had been consolidated — placed in piles or large trash bags alongside the roads in town. After noon, some stragglers arrived back at the fire station with their bags of trash in tow. The fourth annual Harrison Earth Day Community Clean Up took place on Saturday with the help of many organizations, businesses and individuals, according to organizer Emily Baker. “This doesn’t happen by itself,” she said. While Baker was citing a long list of people who TRIED AND TRUE way to pick up trash is to do it with deserved kudos, as if on cue, friends as this group did on Saturday morning. (Photo courtesy of AM Enterprises, Inc.) EARTH, Page 12A
Third try on replanting plan
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