Big Show Looking for a jumpstart this spring? Check out the Flower and Garden Show at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds Page 1B
No-No for Zach
Inside News
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Page 1C
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www.bridgton.com Vol. 142, No. 19
Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. 32 PAGES - 4 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
May 12, 2011
(USPS 065-020)
SIXTY CENTS
Break in Krista’s case
By Lisa Williams Ackley Staff Writer OSSIPEE, N.H. — One man has been arrested on a charge of second degree murder and two others have been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, in connection with the death of 20-year-old single mother Krista Deann Dittmeyer, according to Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young, chief of the New Hampshire
Criminal Justice Bureau. Dittmeyer’s body was found in a small snowmaking pond at the Cranmore Mountain Ski Resort on April 27, four days after her car was found running but abandoned in a nearby parking lot with Krista’s 14-month-old baby daughter, Aliyah, strapped into her car seat unharmed. Investigators into Dittmeyer’s death have charged 28-year-old
Anthony Papile, of Ossipee with second degree murder. They also arrested 23-year-old Trevor Ferguson, of Tamworth, N.H., and 28-year-old Michael Petelis of Ossipee with one count of conspiracy to commit robbery. All three men were scheduled to be arraigned on those charges in Ossipee District Court at 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon (May 11).
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — As the smell of asphalt becomes a commonplace aroma, a flyer has been circulating around town in an effort to quell rumors that have arisen about the Causeway, and to let folks know construction will not curb summertime fun for anyone. The message behind the handout is being reinforced with road signs: The Causeway is open for business.
The Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) put up those signs at the request of town officials and local entrepreneurs — who were concerned that springtime construction activities might deter people from taking a trip to Naples. Initially, signs had been made telling commuters to find an alternate route; but MDOT replaced those in early April. Then, as is apparent to Naples regulars, there has been the swirl of activity as owners
of seasonal businesses directly on the Causeway prepare for their openings this and last month. Some annual favorites like the Freedom Café and the Dairy Bar are displaying banners announcing to customers that doors are open, and the food is just as tasty as ever. Meanwhile, docks are swelling with luxury boats that overwintered in storage units. According to resident Robert “Bob” Neault, there was an
By Lisa Williams Ackley Staff Writer A unique brainstorming idea by Bridgton Selectman Paul Hoyt is being praised this week by his fellow selectmen and others as a superior act of creative problem solving. Thanks to the innovative idea thought up by Selectman Hoyt, the town may save money by reducing its solid waste flow and increasing its rate of recycling — and two local organizations that are seeing funding cuts from the town this year may reap the benefits of Hoyt’s plan by helping to further educate the public on the need to recycle more. “My thought was to get the NICE DAY JUST TO SWING — Kayla Robbins of Bridgton took advantage of a recent nice Community Center and the spring day by enjoying time on a tire swing outside her house. (Rivet Photo) Library together on a campaign
to work for recycling,” Hoyt said, at the May 10 selectmen’s meeting. “If we can increase our recycling (rate) from 30% to 40%, that amount would be split between the two organizations. This would come about next year.” In a memo to the board of selectmen dated May 3, Town Manager Mitch Berkowitz said that, following the last selectmen’s meeting, “Paul Hoyt developed a very creative plan that would educate the citizens of Bridgton regarding recycling and, if successfully executed, would also provide some financial incentives to both the Bridgton Community Center (Center) and the Bridgton Public Library (Library) for Fiscal Year 2013. Preliminary
discussions with both entities indicate a strong willingness to develop details of such a plan.” Berkowitz then offered a concept outline that requests the selectmen’s authorization “to meet with and develop the details which would then be subject to all Boards’ approval before any implementation,” meaning all three boards — the selectmen, the Library’s trustees and the Community Center’s board of directors. Concept outline The town manager then presented an outline of the concept that will bring the plan to fruition. Berkowitz stated, “The Center and Library would work closely together to develop and RECYLING, Page 5C
By Lisa Williams Ackley Staff Writer What do the registered voters of Bridgton want to do with the historic Town Hall on North High Street? Keep it and maintain it? Raze it and replace it with a more modern structure? Or, close it and disassemble it, but not replace it? Those are, basically, the main choices that will be decided via a non-binding referendum vote on June 14:
12 meeting, the selectmen originally said they would ask voters if they “continue to support the necessary renovations and improvements to the historic Town Hall, which are now estimated to be in excess of $750,000, through a variety of funding options which will also include use of local tax dollars.” At this week’s selectmen’s meeting, the board held a public hearing on a ballot question that includes the four
specific options listed above. Bear Zaidman asked the selectmen where they had obtained the different estimated costs that are listed on the June 14 ballot. Alan Manoian, Bridgton’s Director of Economic and Community Development, said the late Fred Potter, a structural engineer, had arrived at the $400,000 amount. Manoian said he came up with the other estimated OPTIONS, Page 8A
Causeway: Business ready
FLYER, Page 8A
Recycling key to funding?
Voters to consider four options for Old Town Hall • Option 1 — Complete the basic structural maintenance, building repairs and roof renovations for similar facility uses at an estimated cost of $400,000; • Option 2 — Complete Option 1 and renovate the exterior siding and roof to meet historical renovation standards which have increased ongoing maintenance based upon the materials used. Uses in the building could be more restricted. Estimated cost —
$750,000; • Option 3 — Disassemble the building and replace it with a modern building for similar facility uses at an estimated cost of between $600,000 and $750,000; or • Option 4 — Close the Town Hall and disassemble it without replacement, at an estimated cost of between $50,000 and $100,000. Voters must choose only one of the four options, as to which one they would prefer
the Bridgton Board of selectmen to take. At last year’s annual town meeting, voters were asked, in another non-binding question, if they support spending up to $400,000 to keep the Town Hall from falling into disrepair. Since then, however, further study has showed that necessary improvements and renovations to the historic Town Hall are now estimated to be more than $750,000. Last month, at their April
Place for Fido?
Local sidewalks take center stage
By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer Sidewalks in Bridgton — or the lack thereof — will be on the minds of everyone from Planning Board members to school officials next week. On Tuesday, May 17, children from Stevens Brook Elementary School who have parental permission will walk to the school from the Magic Lantern in a state Safe Routes to Schools “Walking School Bus” awareness event designed to promote safe walking behavior and student independence (See sidebar). That evening, at 7 p.m., the Bridgton Planning Board will hold a workshop on the lack of sidewalks on Portland
Road, with particular emphasis on Hannaford supermarket, where pedestrians must cross over broken wooden pallets or risk getting hit at the entranceway. Two days later, on Thursday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m., the public is invited to hear the results of a $10,000 Sidewalk Study done for Bridgton by the Greater Portland Council of Governments. There’ll be recommendations given on what the town needs to do to become more pedestrianfriendly, and a mapping tool will be unveiled. Planning Board member Fred Packard said he was incensed when he saw a picSIDEWALKS, Page 3A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — Dog lovers unite and take a walk. What dog owner doesn’t like the idea of having a local dog park, where people can bring their dogs to socialize and exercise in a fenced-off environment? The idea (of a dog park in Naples) is still in its puppy stage, according to Animal Control Officer Bobby Silcott. On Thursday, May 19, 6:30 p.m., a site walk of the proposed dog park property will be offered. The town property being eyed is located off State Park Road, on the right-hand side approximately one-half mile from Route 114. The parcel, which is on Springer Road, was formerly used as the town’s transfer site. DOG PARK, Page 8A
WALKABILITY — Pictured is a sidewalk that’s seen better days along lower Main Street in Bridgton. The condition, width and materials of the town’s existing sidewalks, as well as the condition and location of crosswalks, are being surveyed in a project being done by the Greater Portland Council of Governments, with $10,000 in funding from the Maine Department of Transportation.
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