Pointing the way Hiker Allen Crabtree writes how Trail Cairns are more than piles of rocks Page 8C
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Inside News
Teen sets the winning pace at Harrison 5K Run By The Lakes; more Bridgton times
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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 147, No. 28
32 PAGES - 4 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
July 14, 2016
(USPS 065-020 )
Pub owner okayed to start deck, but there’s a catch
As superintendent, Kidder will look at how to allocate that excess after considering the engineer’s data as to the effect on existing disposal fields. Holmes is presently approved for 39 “internal” customers (a sewage allotment of 350 gallons), and has requested additional gallons for 40-42 “external” patrons using the outside dining area (a needed increase between 200 to 300 gallons, Holmes suspects). Code Enforcement Officer Robbie Baker informed planners at their July 5 meeting that it could be weeks before Kidder receives those figures. At press time, no data had been filed with the town. Holmes was visibly disappointed that the planning board was unwilling to give the 40-person request “conditional” approval, enabling him to open the deck area as soon as possible, thus getting the chance to capitalize on the area’s busiest — and most profitable time — of the year. He noted that Gastropub uses paper products to serve food, thus additional patronage will not require more water (for dishwashing). Lucia Terry, who served on the Waste Water Committee, also failed to understand planners unwillingness to allow the pub to open the deck and then adjust the number of customers it can allow there from 40 downward, if figures given to Kidder require a reduction, especially since Holmes is “first in line” to receive additional allocation. Melinda Holmes, Will’s sister, impressed upon planners that every day that goes by and the deck is unusable, profit is lost. “People here don’t make it through the winter if they are not open in July,” said Melinda Holmes, noting the financial commitment her brother has made trying to operate a business in his hometown. Planning Board chairman Steve Collins called the wait “unfortunate,” but felt the board would be going “way beyond our authority” if it granted permission for 40 without Kidder’s decision. The board’s approval did give Holmes the green light to start construction (a stop order had been issued last month because final planning board approval had not been given, and discussion was tabled due to improper notification to property owners within the required 100-foot radius of Holmes’ establishment), yet some financial risk will hang over the pub owner’s head if the 40 figure is slightly or significantly DECK, Page 5A
GOOFING AROUND WITH GOOFY — Youngsters greeted Goofy with big hugs during Saturday’s Old Home Days Parade in Harrison. More photos on Page 8B (Rivet Photo)
Little budge on Sebago proposal By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer As one of two longest tenured members on the SAD 61 School Board, Janice Barter is quite familiar with the district’s stance regarding where elementary school children will be taught. For the past 17 years — Barter’s stay on the school board — SAD 61 has pushed
One on One with...
Rev. Joyce Long
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Rev. Joyce Long had reason to ponder the season-to-season occurrences of the past decade and a half at the Casco Village United Church of Christ. After all, the congregation had a special worship planned — a celebration of Joyce’s 15 years as pastor of the church. She stepped into that role in July 2001. Coincidentally, this year marks the 175th year that the Casco Village Church has been in existence. The 15-year anniversary on Sunday included some fun activities like Pastor Joyce Jeopardy and a delightful brunch during fellowship time. Earlier, in the sanctuary, some of the celebration came in the form of songs. Additionally, a slide show brought to life the years’ past and brought back memories for many. “Three of the things that were triggered this Sunday: The people I have buried, the people I have married and the people I have baptized,” Joyce said. “I have buried a lot of people. It is hard because they become part of you. Doing services for people you love and who are like your own family — it’s hard. And, you miss them,” she said. “That is the best part of being a woman minister — you can cry in public,” she half-joked, wiping away the genuine tears but not the memories. In the coming week, Joyce will lead the Celebration of Life services for a woman who died last year. That woman had dedicated a stained glass window to her husband in 1999. In the coming week, Joyce will baptize a child with proud parents participating in that milestone of Christianity. On Tuesday afternoon, Joyce had just finished meeting with a weekly Bible study group when she sat down to answer some questions for The Bridgton News. BN: What church were you affiliated with while you
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SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
Road work raises talk of conflict
Waiting on number By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer When voters approved a change in how Bridgton figures downtown sewage flow, Will Holmes was a happy man. Owner of Standard Gastropub, Holmes is first in line when it comes to increasing the sewage allotment for his Main Street business. With more and more restaurants and pubs in the Lake Region offering outdoor dining options, Holmes wants to jump on the bandwagon. “We currently have long waits for our customers during the busy months of the summer season and this addition will give them another option and enable us to serve more patrons without overcrowding or going above our full-service, year-round seating capacity,” Holmes said in his application. “These additional patrons will place orders at the counter for take-away and will be able to seat themselves at an outdoor table to enjoy their food. Full-table service will not be offered.” Holmes noted that customers using the outdoor space would be monitored by Gastropub staff and asked for proper ID as they enter. The outdoor space is accessible through the pub’s interior, as well as through an outdoor entrance during peak hours, which will be staffed whenever offered, the application says. Wooden fencing surrounds the outdoor dining area. Bridgton Police Chief Richard Stillman had no objections to the outdoor seating, “as long as access is limited so minors cannot gain access to alcohol.” Holmes recently received tentative approval from the Bridgton Planning Board to construct a deck to the backside of his Gastropub, where customers can take their food to dine and enjoy summertime. He also gained approval to offer live entertainment, which will likely include acoustic music and standup comedy. There is just one catch. Holmes will be unable to open the deck area until Sewage Superintendent Jim Kidder receives data from an engineer, who is looking at capacity at the town’s two sewage disposal beds servicing the downtown area and determining gallons freed up under the town’s newly-approved Sewage Ordinance. One figure is an additional 7,000 gallons, but Baker noted that other businesses have inquired about tapping into that availability.
Weather . . . . . . . . . . . 5D
PASTOR JOYCE LONG AND CONGREGATION ARE A CARING PAIRING — The Casco Village Church of Christ is preparing for its 175th year. (De Busk Photo) were growing up? Joyce: The First Congregational Church in South Portland United Church of Christ. The church on top of the hill. Meetinghouse Hill — that is where the church is located. I grew up in Cape Elizabeth. My parents sang in the choir. As a family, we were very faithful churchgoREV. JOYCE LONG, Page 7A
to educate its youngest children in their hometowns. But, there is no guarantee that approach will be taken five, 10 or 20 years from now. Finances change. Situations develop. So, Barter and members of the SAD 61 Withdrawal Committee Tuesday night reaffirmed the district’s position to do its best to keep elementary children in their hometowns, but refused to enter an agreement with the Town of Sebago to guarantee its school will remain open for 20 years (or some type of variation, such as fiveyear intervals with a review whether to continue to proceed, which was suggested at the last withdrawal meeting). Members publicly reviewed a Sebago Withdrawal Committee counteroffer, and offered comments regarding the last negotiating session. Casco Director Stan Buchanan felt the prior proposal was “dictating” in nature, and added that as a “district,” the board needs to act in the best interest of “all children” and “all four towns,” not just one community. Bridgton Director Karla Swanson-Murphy felt SAD 61 could head down a “slippery slope” if it entertains some of the ideas put forth by the Sebago Withdrawal Committee. She feels if Sebago remains in the SAD 61 fold, it should adhere to the present model — K-5 (add Pre-K if the district takes on the program) at the BUDGE, Page 2A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — One resident was pretty steamed when he saw the father of the Naples town manager operating heavy equipment — doing the ditch work on Edes Falls Road. The equipment was owned by another contractor. But, what most upset the person who saw this was the fact that it had been publicly promised that Earth Solutions, owned by Rick Paraschak, would no longer get work from the Town of Naples. That statement was made sometime after Rick’s son, Ephrem, became town manager. The person, who wished to remain anonymous, brought his concerns to Jim Turpin, a Naples Budget Committee member. “He said, ‘I thought you said Rick Paraschak wasn’t going to get any work from the town.’ He told me that the truck had Chris Pond’s company name on it,” Turpin said. “If Rick Paraschak is seen behind the wheel of a machine on a town project, people will ask questions,” Turpin said. The ditch work job, which took place in early July, was discussed briefly during a Naples Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday. During public participation time, Turpin asked on behalf of the unnamed Naples resident if Rick Paraschak had been paid for the job. Turpin also asked how the project was budgeted and why the job did not go out to bid. Naples Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak said, “There are no funds going to Earth Solutions.” He explained that smaller jobs — costing less than $10,000 are not required to go through the bidding process. The town staff solicits area contractors, asking for competitive prices. The ditching job on Cooks Mills and Edes Fall Road was several thousand dollars for a few hundred feet of work, Ephrem said. The project was given to C. Pond Plowing and the work has been finished in preparation for paving in August, he said. Chairman Bob Caron II explained that Ephrem also acts as the Naples road commissioner, and there are policies in place dictating how he goes about soliciting work for town-owned roads. On Tuesday morning, Rick Paraschak explained why he had been operating the equipment that was being used for a town job. “I occasionally help Chris Pond and Chris Pond helps me. When I work for Chris, he doesn’t pay me and in return he works for me and I don’t pay him,” Rick said. “There is no money exchanged. It is kind of like a barter thing.” “That project was given to Chris Pond, or C. Pond CONFLICT, Page 3A
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