Summer Scene Dazzling quilts at show; Art in the Park Saturday; Fiddling at Brick Church Section B
Teens rule the race
Inside News
Youth was served at the annual Harrison 5K By the Lake last Wednesday night
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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 146, No. 29
32 PAGES - 4 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
July 16, 2015
Road stripes needed By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer Lack of striping on either shoulder of the Kansas Road is causing the new pavement to deteriorate, Bridgton Selectmen were told Tuesday. Harry Cross, a 75-year resident of Bridgton, said many drivers who regularly use the road “rely on those white lines” to avoid veering off the established travel lane. “The tar is beginning to break up, and it’s a real safety concern,” Cross said. “It’s a brand new road, and we’d like to keep it (in new condition) for a while.” Cross’s sentiments were echoed by George Lariviere, who added that he has noticed a small sinkhole in the middle of the road as well. “The shoulders aren’t carrying the tar,” Lariviere said. A third resident, David Brill, said that in some places the shoulder adjoins a gulley. Selectman Greg Watkins said he has measured some areas where over a foot of pavement has broken up. Town Manager Bob Peabody said Public Works Director Jim Kidder will be looking into the issue and will report back to the board at its next meeting on July 28. In other action, the Board of STRIPING, Page 2A
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
Stillman named Chief of Police By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer Thirteen-year veteran Walpole, Mass., Police Chief Richard Stillman was confirmed Tuesday as the new Bridgton Police Chief following a three-month search. The Bridgton Board of Selectmen welcomed Stillman with a handshake after officially confirming his hiring by Town Manager Bob Peabody. Stillman replaces Kevin Richard Stillman Schofield, who left to become Windham Police Chief. Stillman was the top choice among 19 applicants for the job from Maine and New England law enforcement agencies. He has been Chief of Police of the Walpole Police Department since 2002, after rising up the ranks from Patrol Sergeant to Lieutenant. “I really feel like it’s coming back home,” said Stillman in introducing himself to the board. With him was Interim Police Chief Jerry Hinton, who will be staying on for a few more weeks to assist Stillman in transitioning to the new job. Stillman said he has summered on Moose Pond in Bridgton for several years, and is very fond of the area. BPD CHIEF, Page 2A
Going...
PHOTO OPP WITH THE KING OF HORROR — Bridgton Books owners Pam and Justin Ward pose for a photo with horror writer Stephen King during Sunday’s exclusive book signing at the Magic Lantern Theatre. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Damon)
By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer When Stephen King entered stage right at the Magic Lantern Theatre, taking his seat before a long table, the first small group of early birds to Sunday’s book signing couldn’t help themselves — they erupted with applause. An awed silence ensued. King, a worldwide megacelebrity, smiled and clasped his hands in front of him, and delivered a oneliner to break the spell. “You’re probably wondering why I called you all here today,” said King. They all knew, all right. He’d called them to give them the chance to get a signed copy of his latest book, Finders Keepers, the second in a trilogy based on characters developed in his acclaimed Mr. Mercedes. As a longtime summer resident of Lovell with strong ties to Bridgton, Maine native King espe-
on the second floor. The estimated cost of the project would be $6.8 million (although the number will likely be higher, $8 million to address other needs). Directors Monday night met with architects at CRES to talk more about possibilities there. While the school district will also look at addressing parking and traffic flow problems at Songo Locks as part of the building plan, another big question directors will tackle will be whether to close Sebago Elementary or keep the school open.
Finn leaving LR for Gray-NG job By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer As principal, Ted Finn led Lake Region High School through some tough times over the past five years. Low test scores landed the school on the state’s “failing” list prior to his arrival. Through a reshaping of the curriculum and other improvements, Lake Region was deemed a “model school” by Maine’s education commissioner. The facility underwent a major renovation project, yet Ted Finn educational improvements continued to gain momentum despite the construction chaos surrounding building. With significant educational and facility remodeling complete, Finn will turn over the leadership reins to someone else. Finn is leaving Lake Region for the principal’s job at Gray-New Gloucester High School. He announced the move in a July 3 post on the Lake Region H.S. website page. FINN, Page 8A
Reward offered in septic dump
SPORTING TATOOS quoting memorable lines from Stephen King’s Dark Tower novels, friends Andrea Bergeron and Joseph McFaline of Nashua, N.H., were among 500 King fans who came from all over the U.S. to attend Sunday’s book signing at the Magic Lantern Theatre in Bridgton. McFaline’s body art says, “Go then, there are other worlds than these.” (Geraghty Photo) By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer cially wanted to give back But because of who he is NAPLES — A group of to local folks with whom he — arguably the most famous private citizens and local shares a special bond. KEEPER, Page 2A businesses in Naples have pledged a $1,000 reward for any information about a boat owner who dumped their septic holding tank in Brandy Back in 2000, PDT enrollment study in January Pond on July 4. The monetary reward Architects recommended the 2014. closure of Sebago Elementary If SAD 61 were to decide would be given to anyone as part of a facilities plan. to close Sebago Elementary, a who could provide specific Again, PDT added closure third of the student population details about the owner(s) of as an option, saying “As a would be bused to Stevens the boat if that information school serving less than 100 Brook in Bridgton, while the leads to a conviction and paystudents, it becomes much remaining two-thirds would ment of fines. The conversation took more inefficient and more attend Songo Locks and expensive to operate and Crooked River. maintain.” The report adds, “PDT K-5 enrollment at Sebago understands the importance Elementary has decreased of elementary schools to the Established 1870 from 164 in 1996 to 135 social culture of small vilP.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. students in 1999 to today’s lages and towns.” Bridgton, ME 04009 population of 76. A decline The question becomes “at 207-647-2851 is expected into the future, as what cost?” Fax: 207-647-5001 well, according to Planning At a recent workshop bnews@roadrunner.com Decisions, which prepared an SCHOOLS, Page 3A
Big decisions loom on schools By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer CASCO — By November, SAD 61 hopes to layout a building construction plan to voters to address overcrowding at Songo Locks School. At the moment, directors are taking a close look at reopening Crooked River for elementary instruction. The project would include significant interior renovation of the 30-year-old facility, as well as an addition to the backside of the structure, which would house library, art and music space on the first floor and five fourth grade classrooms
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Coming...
Town Hall ‘Keeper’ moment closed Fans flock to book signing
Due to the severity of deterioration to the Town Hall’s foundation, the North High Street building has been closed. Tuesday, Doten’s Construction recommended the Bridgton Town Hall be vacated for the next few weeks. All events and public access to the building will be forbidden for the next three weeks. A building analysis for safe access to the building will occur on or before Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, at which time an update to this information will be released. “The inconvenience this causes for programming needs of the building is regrettable; however it is necessary to ensure the safe use of the building in the future,” said Georgiann M. Fleck, Public Information officer. Doten’s Construction is under contract with the Town of Bridgton to stabilize the building. The project is CLOSED, Page 5A
(USPS 065-020)
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place during — and after — a Naples Board of Selectmen meeting. On Monday night, some board members were shocked to hear reports of a boat’s holding tank being dumped in Brandy Pond on the evening of Independence Day. One person commented it was likely the boat had not left the area, and was still being moored on a neighboring lake. Selectman Rich Cebra suggested that the town seek the help of the Warden’s REWARD, Page 8A
The Bridgton News