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End of the run Bridgton will have one less sports event this year as the plug is pulled on the triathlon Page 7A

Just Desserts

Inside News

Lake Region athletes are recognized for their hard work, commitment

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 4B Classifieds . . . . . . 4D-5D Country Living . . . 1B-6B Directory . . . . . . . . . . 5D

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Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 3D Opinions . . . . . . . 1D-6D Police/Court . . . . . 4A-5A Sports . . . . . . . . . 1C-7C Student News . . . . . . 8C Games . . . . . . . . . . . . 5C

Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 148, No. 23

28 PAGES - 4 Sections

Bridgton, Maine

June 8, 2017

(USPS 065-020)

Weather . . . . . . . . . . . 1D

www.bridgton.com

SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

Closer to divorce?

SAD 61, Sebago settle on withdrawal agreement

STATE’S SPECIAL EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR — Lisa Caron of SAD 61 will be honored later this month. (Rivet Photo)

One on One with...

Lisa Caron

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Lisa Caron knew from an early age she wanted to work with children as a career. A college professor told her she was on the right path, but felt her true calling was to work with special needs children. He told Caron she was “gifted.” Thirty-three years later, Lisa Caron not only proved her professor right, her work in the field of Special Education has caught the eye and appreciation of her peers. Caron, who is director of Special Services in SAD 61, has been awarded the Special Education Administrator of the Year honor for 2017 by the Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC). Caron was nominated by her Regional Group of Special Education Directors due to her creative and extensive programming to insure student needs in her district are met in the least restrictive setting in their home schools. She believes providing appropriate training and equipping staff with the skills and tools they need to educate students, is the key to student learning and achievement. In addition to her job as the director of Special Services and District 504 Coordinator, Caron also serves on MADSEC’s Professional Development Committee and as the alternative regional representative for the MADSEC Executive Board. She is the Special Education Administrator representative for the Central Cumberland County Administrator Certification Committee. During her 13 years in SAD 61, Caron has facilitated training in researched-based programming for her staff to meet the

needs of district students. This includes previously being the only school district in Maine to establish a Lindamood Bell School Partnership for four years; the first school district in Maine to bring Behavior Analyst Technician Training to the Special Services Staff; and enhancing learning opportunities for her students and staff with technology, by providing professional development to staff to increase academic rigor for students in the district. Caron was also an active participant in bringing Positive Behavior and Supports training to SAD 61. She has been described as “a forward thinker whose decisions are always student centered — be it budget, curriculum, personnel or professional development.” Since she started in the district, Caron has grown day treatment programs from two to four, addressing the specific and unique needs of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and/or significant behavioral and mental health challenges. Finally, Caron is considered by her peers as a reflective leader, who with the support of her superintendent and building administrators, most recently led an initiative in SAD 61 to push a co-teaching model, which benefits both regular and special education students and staff. Breaking down the walls between these programs and maintaining a focus on what is best for all students is a worthwhile goal and one that Caron championed. Caron will be honored during the MADSEC Director’s Academy at the end of June. SAD 61 Superintendent of Schools Al Smith and the School Board Monday night recognized Caron for her award and her work. Smith noted that the “Academy” LISA CARON, Page 8A

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer By reaching an agreement on a proposed withdrawal agreement, SAD 61 and Sebago moved a step closer Monday to a divorce. The SAD 61 School Board voted unanimously for the withdrawal agreement, which will now be signed by the Sebago Withdrawal Committee (likely within the next week or so), and sent to the Maine Department of Education Commissioner’s Office for review. While the parameters for Sebago leaving SAD 61 and operating its own school have been laid out, a lot of work remains. The Withdrawal Committee will look to develop hard numbers

regarding what Sebago taxpayers will pay for school costs. Those costs will include present debt owed to SAD 61, operational costs at Sebago Elementary and creation of a central office (the town would need to hire a superintendent to oversee the new school system), and tuition for students attending Lake Region Middle and High Schools. SAD 61 Superintendent of Schools Al Smith made a brief presentation Monday night, outlining the agreement’s key points. They included: • The agreement is for 10 years. • The withdrawal would be effective July 1, 2018. • Year 1 of withdrawal (2018–19) would remain

status quo — Sebago students would stay where they are. Year 2 (2019–20) and beyond, the agreement allows the new Sebago School Administrative Unit (SAU) to consider expanding the local school up to grade eight. • Tuition — the new Sebago SAU will pay tuition for 80% (or actual, whichever is greater) of their eligible resident students in grades 6-12 that attend SAD 61, and 75% (or actual, whichever is greater) for the second five years. The new Sebago SAU will pay tuition in accordance with the state statute; and pay 100% of any special education costs associated with any Sebago resident SAD 61, Page 8A

5 candidates, 2 seats

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer HARRISON — Harrison residents cannot complain about not having a choice when they go to the polls to select a selectman. This year, there are five candidates running for two threeyear terms. Harrison residents are allowed to checkmark the two people on the ballot that they would like to see serve as selectmen in their town. Election Day is Tuesday, and the polls at the Harrison Town Hall will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Of all the open seats on town boards, the selectmen’s race is the most contested. Incumbent and current Chairman Matthew “Matt” Frank is offering up his service as a selectman for another three years. Meanwhile, Selectman Richard St. John, whose term ends this year, is not running again. The other residents who are willing to commit to three years as a selectman are: Henry Hudson Jr., Charles “Chas” F. Parrott Jr., Ray A. Simoglou,

On the Harrison ballot

and Richard “Rick” Sykes. While there are a handful of people running for the board of selectmen, there was not any interest in two vacant seats on the Harrison Planning Board. “No one took out nomination papers for” a three-year term or a two-year term on the planning board, according to Harrison Town Clerk Melissa St. John. “However, Barbara Varricchio, whose term is expiring on the planning board, has said if she is written in for the two-year seat, she will accept it,” the town clerk said. “Richard St. John has said if he is written in, he will accept the three-year seat.” “Their names will not appear on the ballot, they will need to be written in,” she said. Melissa St. John said it was important that residents know they have those write-in candidates who are willing to pull up a chair when the planning board meets. Last, but not least, is one seat on the Harrison Appeals

Board. There is one candidate who will appear on the ballot: Jonathan D. Whitney. These are the questions that The Bridgton News asked the candidates vying for two seats on the board of selectmen. BN: Could you please provide a basic biography? Frank: Retired, 2011 to present Harrison selectman — currently chairman, former chairman of Harrison Budget Committee, vice-chairman on Bridgton Hospital board, vicechairman of ecomaine board, treasurer of Harrison Lions Club, on the board of directors for Lakes Environmental Association; and on board of directors for Harrison Food Bank. Hudson: Self-employed as a concrete contractor, Henry’s Concrete Construction, Inc., started in 1969. Political and community service: Past selectman for Harrison, 1985– 1987. While in this position, I was instrumental in creating our town’s transfer station, setHARRISON, Page 3A

Casco budget offers ease into bond repayment

By Dawn De Busk are laying down the plans Staff Writer for Casco Town Meeting on CASCO — Town staff Wednesday. and local elected officials In fact, as is always the

case this time of year, there way to preview the warrant We invite people to pick up a are copies of the warrant arti- articles is through the Town copy,” Casco Town Manager cles available at the Casco of Casco’s website. Dave Morton said. town clerk’s office. Another “The warrant is complete. The proposed budget for this upcoming fiscal year is $3,533,022. “The overall budget is up,” Morton said. However there is some relief for taxpayers. “The board elected to apply the premium from the sale of the bonds and carry forward money from debt service that was retired last year” to the amount of money that must be raised through revenue and taxation, Morton said. “That reduced the obligation by 50 percent.” “Overall with the anticipated increases in revenues and a small increase in valuation, it is anticipated the municipal increase in the [tax] rate will be less than anticipated last year when the adoption of the bonds was

being considered,” Morton said. During the Casco Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Tuesday night, there was a discussion about the 2017– 18 budget and the upcoming Town Meeting. “The school budget is fairly low compared to what it has been,” Morton said, adding that some sources of revenue like the excise tax look promising. But, as is the case in most towns, the majority of the revenue will come from property taxes. “We are looking at about a 30 cent increase to the mil rate,” he said. The current mil rate is $14.90 per $1,000 value. The commitment date is Aug. 10; and property tax bills are due in two installments in October and April. PREVIEW, Page 2A

The Bridgton News Established 1870

BEGINNING OF A SPECIAL DAY FOR OLYMPIANS — Bridgton’s law enforcement officers Wednesday morning joined Special Olympians for the annual Torch Run/Walk. The walk started at the Town Hall and proceeded along Main Street. (Rivet Photo)

P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2851 Fax: 207-647-5001 bnews@roadrunner.com


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