Summer Scene Zerbini Circus under big top; Art in the Park Saturday; World’s Fair this weekend Section B
Junior remembered
Inside News
Newly-renovated Harmon Field rededicated prior to softball championship
Calendar . . . 2D, 4D, 5D Classifieds . . . . . 4D, 5D Summer Scene . . 1B-6B Directory . . . . . . . . . . 6C
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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 150, No. 29
28 PAGES - 4 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
July 18, 2019
(USPS 065-020)
Residents hand out ideas to reduce use
from Plymouth University, “plastic pollution affects at least 700 marine species, while some estimates suggest that at least 100 million marine mammals are killed each year from plastic pollution.” This is some of the information that Flaherty shares with others to make the point that it is a worthwhile endeavor to reduce plastic consumption. Flaherty has in recent weeks set up an informational booth at the Bridgton Farmers Market. Although the table displays an array of products that can be used instead of plastic, nothing is for sale. Instead, Flaherty and another Bridgton resident, Sally Chappell, are trying to raise awareness, to start the conversation about reducing plastic in day-today life. “I was inspired to do this after going to Ireland,” she said.
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — A group given the mission of looking into the need for a community center is recommending that one be built in Naples. “The committee feels that the town should build a new community center for Naples that would house the town hall, a gym and 911 shelter and a contracted space for the Post Office,” according to a letter from the Community Center Exploratory Committee. “We feel this move would benefit the residents of this town for current needs and the growth as more residents move into Naples,” the letter said. Earlier this month, the Naples Board of Selectmen heard the committee’s endorsement to indeed build a community center in the
space where the town hall now exists, reasons why the center is needed, and the recommended square footage. Selectman Bob Caron II, who served on the committee, shared the information contained in the letter. The proposed community center would have about 4,000 square feet more than the current town hall building, Caron said. It would be built in phases, he said. According to the current proposal, the gym would be in the center with the town hall on one side and the Post Office space on the other side. The proposed total square footage of approximately 19,000 breaks down as follows: • Town offices and storage: 3,120 SF • Post Office: 3,797 SF
REDUCING PLASTIC — Armed with products that can replace plastic, Bridgton residents Ursula Flaherty (on left) and Sally Chappell pose next to a poster at the Bridgton Farmers Market recently. The poster was created by a student from Stevens Brook Elementary School. (De Busk Photo) “What we are focusing on is eliminating single-use plastic bags,” she said. “Recycling is not the answer. It is an illusion. The landfills are full of recycled plastic,” she said. “We need to focus on not using the plastic in the first place.” She acknowledged that
she was aware of the new law that will eliminate all single-use plastic bags in the state of Maine. That law kicks in on Earth Day 2020. Flaherty said now is a good time to start. It might seem overwhelming — all the plastic that one person, one household uses, she
said. But, it can be taken in small steps, she said. “Our individual daily choices have a profound impact on our planet and its oceans,” she said. “We, as people, can do our part to decrease singleuse plastic waste. We can PLASTIC, Page 2A
• Gymnasium: 6,650 SF • Storage space for gym: 2,100 SF • Bathroom and showers for gym and 911 shelter: 500 SF • Crosswalks kitchen: 600 SF • Large meeting room with dividers 2,187 SF So far, the community center proposal is only at the early conceptual stages. However, the selectmen did give the go-ahead for the committee to meet with a designer to figure out if the square footage is possible on the property and then to get cost estimates. As part of the plan, the playground on the southeast side of the building would be moved to Kent’s Landing thus giving more space for the proposed community center. As the board discussion
wrapped up, Chairman Jim Grattelo said, “I am very comfortable moving to the next step, and having your committee start looking at numbers. So, we’ve agreed to move on to the next step.” Caron said part of the next step might include tours of other building in Maine towns. “There are a lot of community centers being built right now. The committee can go around and look at those,” Caron said. The nine-member committee has been getting together monthly since February. “Currently, our recreation department uses facilities in Naples and Casco to run activities for the residents of the community. With the recent vote, we will be losing the use of Crooked River School,” Caron said, read-
ing the committee’s letter. “After talking with [Community Activities Director] Peter [Ceprano] and going over the increased participation in recreation and seniors area, the committee feels that the space needed is not available,” he said. “First, the gym is undersized. The gym roof is leaking and needs repair. Secondly, the Singer Center is not adequate. Thirdly, Peter has received calls from the library and other groups for space. Fourthly, our town offices are crowded and undersized for the growth of this town,” Caron said. The proposed gym has a basketball court, a volleyball court and three pickleball courts. Plus, there would be bleachers that are CENTER, Page 8A
Committee pitches community center
A new Hancock Lumber chapter CASCO — Hancock Lumber has grown and evolved throughout Maine and New Hampshire over the past 171 years, but has always remained committed to its Casco roots. On June 18, Hancock’s leadership team, employees, board of directors, family, building partners and friends celebrated the completion of their new home office on the Route 11 corridor — directly across from their Eastern White Pine sawmill, next to their lumberyard, and surrounded by their timberlands known as Jugtown Forest. Prior to the move, the company had only ever known one office, 3.5 miles down the road in Casco Village, which at one point also represented the entire company. The move to 1267 Poland Spring Road completes a circle generations in the making, as the home office team rejoins the modern business of manufacturing, retailing and logistics. Once again, Casco is home to one Hancock Lumber campus.
Kevin Hancock, president and CEO, made a series of space dedications throughout the new facility, and officially unveiled the building dedication. A beautiful space overlooking the sawmill operations across the street and timberlands out back, the first dedication took place in the 7G main conference room, honoring the seven consecutive generations of the Hancock family who had served as employees, managers, leaders, owners and supporters of the company. Making it seven generations takes energy, commitment, innovation and sacrifice from everyone involved; it was truly special to see this space honoring 171 years’ worth of Hancock family members. In the center of the conference room you will find a large, circular table with a century-old tree slab direct from the HL sawmill. The round table is symbolic of the company’s leadership approach — everyone leads—with no head of the table, and where every
95¢
Appeal filed, wait on a date
Plastic free By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer When Ursula Flaherty took a trip to Kinvara, Ireland, she realized just how big and ugly the plastic problem has become. “We had been on the beach in Ireland. There was plastic and trash on the same beaches that I had seen before when they were pristine,” she said. The sight was absolutely shocking, she said. Groups of people were working together to pick up the plastic that was strewn across the beaches with each tide. “This is a world problem. It is urgent,” she said. In fact, eight million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year, according to plastic-pollution.org “Plastic is found on every beach in the world, even in remote places and the Arctic,” Flaherty said. According to a study
www.bridgton.com
NEW OFFICE DEDICATION — Carol and Kevin Hancock pose in front of the newly-dedicated Hancock Lumber Home Office building, located on Route 11 in Casco. voice is important, respect- the upstairs breakout room. reflection of all those who Downstairs, a second have worked for Hancock ed and heard. Kevin dedicated two breakout space recognizes Lumber, helping to leave other breakout rooms one of Hancock Lumber’s OFFICE, Page 3A honoring special people steadfast leaders, Toby connected to Hancock Hammond. The first nonLumber. George Burns family member to serve has been legal counsel to as president, Toby ran the Established 1870 Hancock Lumber for over business in the 1990s, had P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. four decades, serving as an an impressive career at Bridgton, ME 04009 outside voice, advocate and HL as president and CEO, 207-647-2851 friend to the company. You and currently serves on the Fax: 207-647-5001 will find his name proudly Hancock Lumber Board hung above the entrance of of Directors. He is truly a bnews@roadrunner.com
As expected, the Save Kennard Street (SKS) group will contest the planning board’s decision to approve the Hotel Bridgton project. With the clock ticking to appeal reaching its final 24 hours, the citizen’s group filed their challenge. SKS attorney David Lourie of Cape Elizabeth, claims the 66-room hotel project fails to comply with required setbacks and stream protection provisions as outlined in local ordinances. The appeal heads to the town’s Board of Appeals. At press time Wednesday, Bridgton’s Administrative Assistant Brenda Day was working on a hearing date. “We do not have a time frame,” Day noted. John Schuettinger is the Appeals Board chairman. Other members include Sharon Smith Abbott, Mark Harmon (vice chairman), Bruce Hancock and Kevin Raday. Alternates are Kappy Sprenger and Dick Danis. If the appeal fails locally, the Save Kennard Street group would take the case to Superior Court.
$2K toward water quality
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — The Naples Board of Selectmen certainly was not a wet blanket when it came to supporting water quality in this town. The selectmen unanimously approved the use of $2,000 from the Undesignated Expense Account to do watershed and shoreline surveys of Trickey Pond that will eventually lead to a water-quality protection plan. The selectmen allocated the funding and also recommended that the groups involved come before the Naples Budget Committee for future funding. The Trickey Pond Environmental Protection Association (TREPA) had already dedicated $2,000 of its own money and would use the combined funds from the town and TREPA for a matching grant. The action is not exactly proactive as Trickey Pond has been decreasing in water clarity and increasing in phosphorous. On July 8, TREPA representative Martina Witts spoke to the board. “Basically, what we are doing is in partnership with Lakes Environmental Association (LEA), Portland Water District (PWD), FB Environmental and our assoQUALITY, Page 8A
The Bridgton News