Community Church plant sale; Art Guild scholarship; Noonan, Cousins show B Section
Graduation Day
Inside News
152 receive their diplomas at Fryeburg Academy’s commencement Sunday
Calendar . . . . . . . 3B-4B Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 6D Country Living . . . 1B-7B Directory . . . . . . . . . . 5D
Page 1C-3C
Obituaries . . . . . . 4D-5D Opinions . . . . 1D-3D, 7D Police/Court . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . 4C-7C Student News . . . 1C-3C Games . . . . . . . . . . . . 5C Next Week: On the ballot
Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 150, No. 22
32 PAGES - 4 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
May 30, 2019
www.bridgton.com
(USPS 065-020)
Lots of interest
95¢
Five seek planning seats
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer There is plenty of interest in how Bridgton is developing, and how the town moves ahead. That interest has spilled over to a well-contested race to serve on the Planning Board. Five candidates hope to land votes on June 11 to occupy two seats on the board. The ballot actually contains six names, but one candidate — Diane Paul — recently decided to relocate to Rhode Island. So, candidates for the threeyear terms are: incumbent Deborah Brusini, current board alternate Douglas Oakley, and contenders Daniel Harden, Gregory Watkins and Samantha Zawistowski. The News asked candidates to provide background information and respond to the following questions. The responses are arranged alphabetically (note, Ms. Zawistowski experinced an Internet problem and was unable to provide her answers for this edition. Her comments will be published next week):
Deb Brusini Personal background: I moved to Bridgton in 2009 for its beauty, its year-round outdoor activities, and its smalltown character that offers many services and amenities of a larger community. I hike, climb, fish, ski, and garden. On a nice day, I will be out enjoying these activities or the shops and restaurants in town. I spent 33 years in medical products manufacturing, including roles in R&D, manufacturing, and leadership positions. During an economic downturn, I helped secure financing for a small company so that it could avoid shutting its doors. I have also promoted strong business growth during periods of economic upturns. As the daughter of an Air Force Officer, I have traveled extensively, giving me an appreciation of divergent viewpoints and the value of different approaches to projects. My Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from Clemson University has enhanced my
analytical and logical methods when confronted with difficult decisions. In addition to being a member of the Planning Board since 2016 and current vice-chairman, my other community involvement includes participation in several town committees, as well as my neighborhood association. I also have served on the Bridgton Board of Appeals. Q1. Why did you decide to run for office? I am running for re-election because I am interested in the well-being of Bridgton, enjoy civic duty, and have the time, energy, and skills to make a positive contribution. Q2. What skills do you believe you would bring to the position and how do you see that benefitting the town? Bridgton is on the cusp of significant growth, especially given the planned commitment to wastewater expansion and streetscape. The Planning Board’s job is to objectively evaluate new development while preserving the town’s New England character, pro-
tecting its natural resources, and minimizing unintended consequences to the town or its residents. I feel I possess a balance of skills, traits, and independent thinking that work well on the Planning Board. I use my analytical skills and objectivity to evaluate a project without bias. I also bring a needed precision to projects that are more complex. I am not afraid to ask tough questions to understand the facts and evidence. My goal is to apply the performance standards in a fair and consistent manner for each application, and to treat each applicant, each member of the public, and each Board member with respect. Q3. Bridgton is presently in a state of change. How do you feel the town can bal-
ance the need to grow while yet retaining the small-town charm that has attracted people here, both as residents and visitors? New development and rehabilitating existing buildings need to be compatible with the look, feel, and form of the area where it is positioned. Cottage and Depot Streets are good examples of this. It’s also desirable to have a healthy mix of different types of development, including residential, in the appropriate locations, for a town to prosper and attract new businesses. The proposed Land Use Ordinance attempts to do this. Q4. Zoning is a word that often brings a mix of responses and opinions. How do you feel about zoning, and what are your thoughts on the pro-
posed Land Use Ordinance that will be before residents? I am in favor of this proposed Land Use Ordinance because it strives to manage town growth while preserving the character of Bridgton and protecting our private property rights and natuPLANNING, Page 3A
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Sometimes, it’s worth it to ask, “try again.” When Lee Eastman looked at the one bid for the streetscape project, he really didn’t like the numbers. So, he asked that the project engineer and town manager go to the contractor to see if he could sharpen his pencil a bit. It worked. Selectmen asked for a $117,000 reduction, and Tuesday, they learned that J. Pratt Construction was willing to adjust its bid, cutting $107,874. Selectmen also
learned during Tuesday’s meeting that the town was in line to receive a grant for $10,000 from the Betterment Fund. Bridgton is also in the running for a couple more, $8,000 from USDA and $17,000 from LEA’s stormwater fund. As part of the reduction, J Pratt did ask selectmen to release them from penalties ($500 per day) if the company fails to meet project deadlines. Specifically, J Pratt did not want to be penalized if another contractor doing sewer work holds them up. Selectmen were agreeable.
To keep a close watch on the wastewater project, Eastman later motioned that the board have Selectman Bear Zaidman, who has extensive experience in this area, serve as a liaison, to attend meetings with engineers and serve as a “set of eyes” for the board. Selectman Carmen Lone supported the idea, but wanted “clarity” as to Zaidman’s role. Eastman noted that Zaidman could ask questions and point out problems, but he would not be in a decision-making position. Selectmen approved the idea.
In other meeting notes: How to use the Memorial School? James Chalmers’ experience with the Bridgton Memorial School was several years ago as a fourth grader. Now, he has two young children, and sees the old, decaying school as an “opportunity.” Chalmers and Peter Lowell spoke with selectmen regarding possibilities for the property once SAD 61 turns the keys over to the town. The holdup has been partly due to the uncertainty surrounding how the property would be used. SAD 61 is
looking for a “compatible” use. Chalmers has a similar vision, either rehabbing some or all of the structure (depending on cost) or considering new construction of a facility that would house space for Adult Ed or other educational ventures, game rooms for kids much like a Boys & Girls Club, or even a fieldhouse where adults could walk an inside track during bad weather months and a place where local sports teams can practice. Chalmers admitted right now is a “brainstorming” stage regarding possible uses and whether
various ideas could “fit” the property. He was seeking some direction from selectmen, who suggested that Chalmers and Lowell connect with the town’s Economic Development Committee. Try again. Although Jimmy Ellis liked placing an EV charger close to Depot Street for visibility and safety reasons, he felt moving the station to the back side of the municipal parking lot, as selectmen previously suggested, wasn’t a terrible idea. He checked the site, and BRIDGTON, Page 2A
Deb Brusini
Dan Harden
Doug Oakley
Greg Watkins
Contractor sharpens pencil, town catches break
Hotel reaches deliberation
Adding ‘care’ dollars
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Recently, the Town of Casco increased the budget to cover the cost of cemetery care. As the years pass, the trees grow larger and the headstones crumble. So, it is only a matter of time before additional maintenance, besides mowing and removing winter’s debris, is needed. The Town of Casco is proposing to catch up on cemetery care by adding $10,000 to the annual maintenance budget over a period of five years. “We did raise the amount of money in the budget. It’s basically to remove trees, trees that are growing into the cemetery. They are getting so large that we are worried about the roots and/ or the limbs of the trees falling and” damaging the headstones, according to Casco Town Manager Dave Morton. Another portion of the budget will be earmarked for needed repairs to gravestones, Morton said. “We increased the budget by $10,åœ000. We are going to do that over a fiveyear period, based on estimates from a tree company and a monument company,” Morton said. CEMETERY, Page 6A
REMEMBERING those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country — Memorial Day service in Harrison pictured here, as well as ceremonies in Bridgton, Naples and Sebago featured inside this week’s edition. (Rivet Photos)
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer The final chapter of the Hotel Bridgton saga is close to or has been written. After three hours of technical input, pointed questions and emotionallystated concerns last week, Hotel Bridgton reached the Planning Board deliberation stage. The board met yesterday (starting at 1:30 p.m.) to begin applying performance standards. While Chairman Steve Collins hoped a final vote would occur, nothing in the review process has been predictable. Prior to the start of last week’s hearing continuance, the Save Kennard Street attorney questioned the lack of reasonable time for the group to consider recent changes, including the removal of the 175-seat banquet center and reduction in total rooms from 68 to 66, as attempts by the developer — Justin McIver of Main Eco Homes — to reduce the overall impact on the site, as well as address concerns raised by the public.
The changes, according to the developer’s team, creates “more green space” along the perimeter, “reduces the total developed area of the site” and was a response to concerns about noise. The structure would still include a pool, while the hotel would offer continental breakfast, yet not have a full commercial kitchen. McIver noted that the facility would also have a bar area, which later raised the question if the service of food would be required, thus bringing back the need for a commercial kitchen. Opponents, however, continued to raise doubt that the plan meets strict setback standards in the town’s Stream Protection Ordinance. Several speakers pointed out that while state regulation might allow some uses, it is trumped by a stricter local standard. Representing the developer, Mike Morse, an environmental specialist who previously worked for the Department of Environmental Protection, HOTEL, Page 5A
The Bridgton News Established 1870
P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2851 Fax: 207-647-5001 bnews@roadrunner.com