Summer Scene Hole in the Wall exhibition; Tongue in Cheek Jazz Band; S-LL Music Festival Section B
Important stretch
Inside News
Kate Hall of Casco is overseas to compete, starting a big month for the track star
Calendar . . . . . . . 3D-6D Classifieds . . . . . . 4D-5D Country Living . . . 1B-3B Directory . . . . . . . . . . 6C
Page 5C
Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 3D Opinions . . . . . . . 1D-5D Police/Court . . . . . . . . 6A Sports . . . . . . . . . 5C-8C Student News . . . 1C-5C Games . . . . . . . . . . . . 6C
Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 150, No. 26
28 PAGES - 4 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
June 27, 2019
(USPS 065-020)
Summer Scene . . 1B-6B
www.bridgton.com
95¢
Walk to beach solution reached
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Just in time for the summer season, the path from the public parking lot to Salmon Point has been legally cleared. The Town of Bridgton and the residents of Salmon Point Road have reached a solution to resolve the pending litigation at Salmon Point Road. The town has constructed a public footpath parallel to the private portion of Salmon Point Road, physically separated from the private way by a split-rail fence, that will offer safe
access to the public beaches at Salmon Point from the available public parking. In conjunction with the recently-finished public parking lot, the footpath is part of the Town of Bridgton’s ongoing commitment to improving access to public resources and protecting the historic use and rights of local residents as more people discover the allure and natural beauty of Bridgton’s beaches and lakes. As shown in the accompanying illustration, the path extends from the public parking lot adjacent to Salmon
Point Campground to the public beaches at Salmon Point and will be maintained by the Town of Bridgton for this purpose. Further, signage will be posted directing visitors to use the footpath. The town completed the gravel path so that visitors can safely access the public beaches and Salmon Point. In addition, new signage will be erected by the Town of Bridgton identifying the private portion of Salmon Point Road as a Private Way. While the two pre-existing handicapped spaces at Salmon Point will be maintained, the use of the
private portion of Salmon Point Road will be limited to licensed or placarded handicap vehicles. In a joint statement, both the residents of Salmon Point Road and the Town of Bridgton stated that “the agreement strikes a wellmeasured balance between providing access to the public facilities at Salmon Point while preserving the historic use of Salmon Point Road by local residents. We are happy to have been able to come up with an amicable solution that will increase the safety, accessibility and PATH, Page 8A
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Everybody can have their day in court, but Bridgton Selectman Bear Zaidman would like to give a fired employee another chance to appeal the decision before pursuing their last resort. Zaidman Tuesday night proposed to add a clause to the town’s Personnel Policy that would allow an employee to bring their grievance to selectmen before taking the fight to court. At the moment, once the matter goes through the department head and town manager, “it’s done unless the employee wants to fight it and go to court,” Zaidman said.
Town employees represented by a union have a grievance process. Zaidman handed fellow selectmen a prepared, written “insert” to the existing Personnel Policy that would give nonunion workers a new level of appeal. The verbiage Zaidman proposed is used in neighboring Naples. Selectman Carmen Lone agreed with the idea of offering mediation, but questioned the qualifications of selectmen to act in this role. She suggested that the town hire an outside mediator to handle the grievance. Town Manager Bob Peabody, who was late arriving to Tuesday’s meeting due to traffic congestion
in Windham, questioned the timing of Zaidman’s attempt to alter the existing Personnel Policy. He noted that the proposal was not an agenda item (it was brought up under “Selectmen’s Concerns”), and he was not given ample time to prepare a response. Peabody suggested that the proposal be reviewed by town counsel and selectmen consider “unattended consequences” that could arise if they head in this direction. “I’ve been charged to work on the Personnel Policy and to bring it to the board in September,” he noted. “Why are you cherry-picking this…what is the urgency?”
Zaidman pointed out that he raised the question three years ago, and to date, there has been no action. He believes selectmen, as elected representatives of the townspeople, should have a final say before a grievance goes to court. Again, Lone chimed in saying, “The Board of Selectmen are not qualified to handle personnel.” Zaidman rescinded his motion to revise the existing Personnel Policy Tuesday, and instead have the matter discussed at the board’s July 23 meeting. In other board notes: No deal, but idea still alive. To develop a fastBRIDGTON, Page 2A
Creating right to appeal locally?
Carving out a successful run
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — In February 1978, the person hired as the Casco town manager had not yet graduated from college. However, he already had four years of work experience with a municipality. A work-study job with the Town of Gorham helped Dave Morton land the position as town manager in Casco. Also, that workstudy job led him in the direction of an occupation that he would enjoy enough to spend 41 years in that capacity. In four decades, he has worked in the town hall, which has been at four different locations. In 2016, the town acted as the general contractor to save the taxpayers money during the construction of a new town office. Every year during Casco Days, Morton, like so many other residents, volunteers his time. He is the voice calling out the letters and numbers at Beano tent. Going back to 1978, he
was selected as the second town manager of Casco. The previous person was employed as town manager for about six months. So, it has been Morton who carved out and sculpted what roles and responsibilities the job would entail — sometimes out of necessity. As the two-week countdown to his retirement neared, Morton took time to answer some questions for The Bridgton News. Q: Someone who went to school with you told me that you were quiet and seemingly shy in high school. Perhaps this is true or not. How has it been to be in a position in which you are often the center of attention, required to go to many social functions, required to engage in public speaking, and need to know the answers to many questions? Morton: I still am quiet. I will go for long times without saying anything. I like to listen. You learn a lot more when you listen. So, the knowing answers is easy. I have always been
by and wish Morton a good retirement. “Just come, spend five minutes, spend an hour. There is going to be food and music. Alex, our CEO, is the master of ceremonies,” Fernandes said. The Casco Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) Alex Sirois has a DJ business and will provide the musical entertainment. “It’s being held at Camp Sunshine,” Fernandes said, adding that Maine politicians, people from the Greater Portland Council of Governments, and representatives from different companies like eco-maine will
Crooked River Preserve expanded
Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) is pleased to announce an expansion of their Crooked River Forest at Intervale with the purchase of 38 acres of forested land in Harrison. The acquisition brings the total acreage of the conserved forest there to 334. The Crooked River Forest at Intervale allows public access for hiking, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling (on designated trails), skiing, and mountain biking. Preventing future development along the Crooked River through forestland conservation will ensure public access for recreation on the river and its surrounding forests. “Protecting the Crooked River and local forests is critical to the health of rural economies in western Maine,” said Matt Markot, LELT executive director. “Conservation land in this area sustains and creates
jobs in tourism, outdoor recreation, and forestry.” In addition to protecting important wildlife habitat and providing recreation opportunities, this land purchase is a big deal for clean water in southern Maine. The Crooked River is the largest tributary into Sebago Lake, Maine’s second largest lake and the primary source of clean drinking water for 200,000 people – one-sixth of all Mainers – who live or work in 11 communities in the Portland area. Protecting forestland along the Crooked River has been an important collaborative goal between Portland Water District and Loon Echo Land Trust for many years. “Sebago Lake and the Crooked River mean so much to so many people,” said Paul Hunt, Portland Water District’s environmental manager. “The lake PRESERVE, Page 8A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — A group of property owners in the development of Settlers Village improved the road, bringing in thousands of yards of fill, widening it to 18 wide and putting in proper drainage ditches. The goal was to get the town to accept the road as a public easement. Then, the town would be responsible for the wintertime maintenance, including plowing. The problem is that the association was improving the road to the 1972 standards at the same time that local selectmen were considering the adoption of more current road standards. So, by the time that Settlers Village Road was completed, the voters had adopted the stricter 2015 road standards at town meeting.
Yes, roads that were already public easements are allowed to abide by the 1972 road standards — those roads are grandfathered. However, all roads to be added to the public easement list must follow the 2015 standards. Importantly, the local selectmen have no authority to change this. The residents at town meeting adopted the 2015 road standards and the board cannot make waivers. The Casco Board of Selectmen recently heard from residents who are part of the home association in Settlers Village, which is a development accessible from Leach Hill Road. Brian Chamberlain is one of eight homeowners. He is the former road association president and also plowed the road during the winter. “We took care of the WRONG, Page 8A
Wrong road standards used
MOVING ON TO GREENER PASTURES — Casco Town Manager Dave Morton stands outside the town office a week before retiring. (De Busk Photo) a quick study. I retain things limelight. quite well. Q: Since not all town Public speaking has managers do, what has it always been difficult and it been like living in the town continues to be. That is not where you work? Morton: So, I have something I look forward to. I don’t aspire to be in the MORTON, Page 3A
Retirement party at Camp Sunshine
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Retirement is considered to be one of the milestones in life. A retirement party is being held tonight for Casco Town Manager Dave Morton. The retirement party is open to the public, and goes from 4 to 7 p.m. at Camp Sunshine. Morton is retiring as Casco town manager after 41 years. According to Mary Fernandes, who has been a Casco selectman for 10 years, there are plenty of reasons that community members might want to stop
PATH TO FOLLOW — A path from the public parking lot at the entrance of Salmon Point Campground (shown on the right) now extends to the beachfront, thus keeping the general public from using the private way.
all be there. Plus there is the guest of honor, she added. “For me, working with David, it was a great honor. He dedicated his life to this town. I am sure there were other opportunities he could have had, but he chose Casco,” Fernandes said. Casco resident Tom Mulkern has known Morton for 34 years and he agrees that his retirement party is an event worth attending. “I think that Dave has been good for the Town of Casco. He deserves our support and recognition for a job well done,” Mulkern said.
At the moment, Fernadnes has served the most, consecutive time on the board — ten years. “I’ve had a good working relationship with Dave, especially when I was Chair. We created a lot of policies together,” she said. A few years ago, after listening to an audit presentation, the board got on a mission to collect taxes. Policies were put in place. The town ended up collecting $260,000 in back taxes. “The back taxes — the town collected $260,000, a little more than a quarter of a million dollars,” she said. RETIREMENT, Page 3A
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