Summer Scene Lovell Antique Show; Chickadee Quilt Show; Miraglia at Noble House Pages 1B-3B, 8B
Year in the Life
Inside News
A web series will follow the experiences of an incoming Bridgton Academy student
Calendar . . . . . . . 4B-5B Classifieds . . . . . . 4D-5D Country Living . . . 4B-7B Directory . . . . . . . . . . 3D
Page 1C
Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 6D Opinions . . . . . . . 1D-8D Police/Court . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . 7C-8C Student News . . . 1C-6C Games . . . . . . . . . . . . 7D
Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 146, No. 27
32 PAGES - 4 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
July 2, 2015
(USPS 065-020)
Weather . . . . . . . . . . . 5D
www.bridgton.com
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
No school zone violation
Gun shop gains tentative approval By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer Despite the ongoing opposition of Bridgton Academy, the Bridgton Planning Board gave tentative approval June 23 to plans by an abutter to operate a sporting goods shop selling firearms near the school in North Bridgton. Final approval is expected next Tuesday, July 7, of the plans by Mary Tremblay and firearms dealer James Bennett to open the shop in the ell of the Jacob Hazen House at 103 North Bridgton Road, on land bracketed by Academy property. The board based its decision on advice from Town Attorney Dick Spencer, who said the federal Gun-Free School Zone Act provides exceptions for firearms dealers operating on their own property, regardless of whether it FIREWORKS will light up the Bridgton sky this Friday, July 3. (Photo courtesy of Dan Dixey of Harrison)
Plenty on the holiday platter
Here’s a listing of what’s happening in the Lakes Region to celebrate the 4th of July. For more details, see our Summer Scene listings and our calendar. Bridgton • Friday, July 3 — Bridgton Community Band Concert, 7:30 p.m., Gazebo beside the school; 9-9:30 p.m., fireworks, best viewing by the school. • Saturday, July 4 — 4 on the Fourth Road Race, lineup 8 a.m. by Food City; Duck Race, 11:30 a.m., Stevens Brook, Main Street; 4th of July Parade, noon, starts from Hancock Lumber, Route 302, to Main Hill; Golf Ball Drop, 2 p.m., Commons Driving Range, Route 117 (weather permitting). Denmark • Saturday, July 4 — 4th of July Parade followed by annual Lobster Roll Lunch, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Denmark Municipal Building. Fryeburg • Saturday, July 4 — 4th of July Children’s Parade, 10 a.m., starts from main building, Fryeburg Academy. Naples • Saturday, July 4 — Grand Parade, 2 p.m., Causeway; Fireworks, 9-9:30 p.m., Causeway (rain date July 5). Lovell • Saturday, July 4 — 4th of July Breakfast by Lovell Lions Club, 7 to 10 a.m., Grange Hall, Route 5; Annual Flea Market & Cookie Sale, 8 a.m. to noon, Lewis Dana Hill Library. Waterford • Saturday, July 4 — Waterford Summer Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Wilkins Community House, Waterford Flat; 4th of July Parade, 10:30 a.m., Book Sale, 9 a.m. to noon, Waterford Library; Open House, Rice Museum and the Old Town House.
lies within 1,000 feet of school grounds. As long as any guns that are sold leave the business unloaded and in a locked container, Spencer said, the Act is not being violated. Spencer had argued in an earlier opinion that the Academy was not considered a school under the Act, since it serves post-secondary students. But he revised his opinion after learning from the Academy that the school does serve a small number of high-schoolage students. Regardless of its status as a school under the Act, Spencer said, the board does not have the authority to deny the application under the town’s Site Plan Review Ordinance. Bridgton Academy Attorney David Dow said he didn’t dispute Spencer’s opinion, but that the board should also consider the potential negative impact
Denmark rejects recall attempt
By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer Denmark voters rejected efforts to recall two of its three selectmen in Tuesday’s special referendum. Turnout was very high, with nearly a third of the town’s population turning out to reject the recalls of Bevery Caparco, by a vote of 151 yes, 185 no; and Richard Mason, by a vote of 156 yes, 182 no. The vote might have gone the other way, had it not been for a late-hour effort by some townspeople to push back against the campaign to remove the selectmen. The recall campaign was spearheaded by some residents who were upset over the board’s handling of concerns raised about the management
style of Town Manager Dan Merhalski. Merhalski has announced his resignation, effective July 31. A letter sent to all registered voters last week cautioned the town not to take such a “drastic step,” saying a recall “should be reserved for cases of criminal activity or gross negligence.” The letter was signed by Holly Best, Katie Dunn, Chris Gouterman, Mari and Richard Hook, Laurie LaMountain, Dianne Lewis, Harold Smith, Carolyn and Terry Rhoads and Stan Struzynski. The letter said that if Caparco and Mason were recalled, it would leave only newly-elected Selectman Rich Snow on the board for a state-mandated 70-day period
before new selectmen could be sworn in. Since the Town Charter requires two selectmen to hold a quorum, there would not be any way to conduct the town’s business over the busy summer months, the letter said. “While the sole selectman could pay the town’s recurring bills and payroll, no new committees could be established, no new town construction projects could be initiated, no vacant positions could be filled, no new contracts could be signed,” the letter stated. “The town’s Comprehensive Plan would be seriously impacted,” and the cable franchise would be automatically renewed without the benefit of negotiation. Worse still, Denmark
would have to wait until midSeptember, when it once again had a full board, to even begin searching for Merhalski’s replacement, the letter said, “Effectively leaving us without day-to-day management, and with a significant amount of unfinished business.” The letter attributed events leading up to the recall vote as the result of a “clash of personalities and misunderstanding,” and not justifying a recall. The recall petition listed four separate reasons as justification for recalling Caparco and Mason (the third selectman, Ed Enos, was stepping down and therefore was not included): an illegal executive session, failure to respond to RECALL, Page 8A
By Emily Butterfield Contributing Writer FRYEBURG On a bright and sunny Wednesday afternoon, Fryeburg Police Chief Joshua Potvin hoped to keep a bright light on a disturbing problem — domestic violence — through the use of a simple decal. Chief Potvin stood in front of his fellow policemen and domestic violence advocacy groups in Bradley Park to unveil the new purple ribbon
decals that will be on all the police cruisers. Spurred not only by the revamped policy involving all domestic abuse (mandatory arrests and 48 hour follow ups with victims), but the homicide of Jody Buzzell, who was murdered by her husband Mark in January before turning the gun on himself, Chief Potvin asked Fryeburg selectmen to approve the decals at the May 28 meeting to send a
message to the community that there is, “No excuse” for domestic abuse and violence in Fryeburg. “We want to let the community know that we support them and let offenders know they’re accountable for their actions,” he said on Wednesday, June 24. Donna Woodward also attended and spoke out against domestic abuse. “It used to be seen as a husband and wife issue,” she said, relaying her own experience. “Abuse comes in many forms, and people should be aware of the signs.” The signs of domestic abuse can be difficult to
determine at first, but for men and women who have experienced an abusive relationship, it can become crystal clear very quickly. One woman, Jen (not her real name), tells of her experience in an abusive and violent relationship when she was just 16 years old. Jen met Adam not long before he was incarcerated for four years in prison. “I wrote to him when he was in jail,” she said. The first stage in an abusive relationship is to charm the victim and lure them into a false sense of safety, which is exactly what Adam did. ABUSE, Page 6A
Domestic abuse comes in many forms
‘It’s time, I think’
By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer The Bridgton Library said goodbye Saturday to retiring librarian Holly Hancock, and welcomed new Librarian Allison Griffin, who began work this week. Hancock said she decided to retire after eight and a half years to spend more time helping with her twin grandchildren and focusing on her civic responsibilities in her hometown of Casco. Hancock is in her second year as a Casco Selectman, and has been the Assistant Chief of Casco Fire and Rescue since 1991. “It’s time, I think,” Hancock said. “I have been here for eight and a half years and I feel it’s time for someone else to look at what we’ve done, and work to improve on it.” Before coming to
on enrollment the Academy might suffer if prospective parents and students see a gun shop near the school. “There’s a basis beyond the federal statute” the board ought to be considering, Dow said. “Bridgton Academy is an historic site, it’s been there for over 200 years.” He said, “It would be a real deterrent for prospective students and parents to be walking around the campus and see a gun shop in the neighborhood.” Dow noted that Spencer had suggested that the town might want to place signs on public roads and property within 1,000 feet of the school to warn the shop’s prospective customers or delivery persons that they are in a Gun-Free School Zone. Dow urged against such signage, saying that would only exacerbate the problem. GUN SHOP, Page 8A
Plotting out hall’s location
JOVIAL MOMENT — Allison Griffin, left, the new Librarian at the Bridgton Public Library, enjoys a laugh with retiring Librarian Holly Hancock and Beth Cossey, at Saturday’s farewell celebration for Hancock at the library. Both Griffin and Hancock live in Casco, and when Cossey asked Griffin where she lives, Hancock said, “All the best librarians come from Casco.” Bridgton, Hancock served the Hancock Family Farm. that will keep her on her as the Director of the Casco Hancock said she looks for- toes. Public Library from 1996 ward to helping them meet “I have lots of responsito 2002. the demands of the farm- bilities in Casco, and I need A year ago, her son ing life by looking after her to give them my attention,” Geof Hancock and wife twin grandchildren Adeline she said. Gina took over the former and Emilia, 5½. Then, too, At Saturday’s public Frank’s Farm on Quaker being a selectman comes gathering, Hancock introRidge Road, renaming it with demands of its own HOLLY, Page 8A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — The question of where Casco’s future town hall would be situated on the lot was one that residents asked during town meeting. It opened the door to some good ideas. Not only did reasonable recommendations come from the public, but also Casco’s public safety personnel provided sage advice in the following weeks. “They suggested moving it upfront, aligned with
the fire station. The town hall location would make a good presentation to the public and be easy to find,” Casco Town Manager Dave Morton said recently. “That allows the back lot to be used for fire and rescue trainings,” he said, adding that trainings sometimes involve less aesthetic items like junked vehicles ripped apart by the Jaws of Life, or burnt out buildings. “It will make things look better,” he said. Also, reserving the rear HALL, Page 2A
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