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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 19, 2018
(USPS 065-020)
www.bridgton.com
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
Selectmen meeting notes
Harrison to get good jolt? By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer HARRISON — Scott Vlaun wants to put Harrison on the EV charging station map. Vlaun of CEBE (Center for Ecology-Based Economy) of Norway presented Harrison selectmen Tuesday night with the idea of installing an EV charging station. CEBE is working to install EV charging infrastructure in up to 12 locations in western Maine. It is currently working in eight towns and plans to complete installations in 2018. Vlaun said CEBE funds, manages the project, and installs the stations and signage at each host site. The town, Vlaun said, would assume the cost of electricity. The project’s goals include: promoting the use of zero-emission electric vehicles in western Maine; create an economic stimulus for communities (placing Harrison on the EV map could attract visitors, who park at the charging station and shop or dine while their vehicle is charging up; the charging process is slow, taking about 1 to 1½ hours to gain enough power for another 25 miles); and reduce “range anxiety” for EV drivers. Presently, there are EV chargers in Naples and Bridgton.
Vlaun said a single charger would likely not exceed $30 per month. Some towns have looked to reduce that expense by including a donation box. The charger (which costs between $800 to $900) would be located in a high-traffic area and would be in proximity to adequate 240v power. It can either be mounted onto a building or pressure-treated post. Vlaun said a parking space(s) should be designated as EV charging only. Despite low gas prices, Vlaun says the switch to electric vehicles is growing. Over 70 people in the Norway/ South Paris area own electric cars, he reported. “If you have never driven one, take a test drive. It’s not what you think,” Vlaun said. Selectmen will discuss the proposal at a future meeting. In other selectmen meeting news: Hitting the mark. Although the final figures HARRISON, Page 2A
Casco paving list
Mayberry Hill bumped to top By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — A highly visible road in Casco Village that leads to a popular beach and two boat launches will get its “day in the sun.” Mayberry Hill Road, which provides public and private access to both Pleasant Lake and Parker Pond, will be paved this summer. It has been a number of years since Mayberry Hill Road was scheduled for an upgrade. The Casco Board of Selectmen awarded the paving job to Glidden Excavating and Paving, Inc. The bid price for Mayberry Hill Road is $97,000. Also, the board awarded a second bid to Glidden; $21,750 is the price to pave Hillside Avenue. Hillside Avenue is the road that runs somewhat parallel to Route 302 near Tenney Hill Road and the redundant Crooked River Bridge, which was removed last summer. The board voted “to proceed with paving of Hillside Avenue at $21,750, and to confirm that $97,200 is the accurate price for Mayberry Hill Road. The vote was unanimous, 4-0. Selectman Grant Plummer was absent. One reason behind the board double-checking on the price for Mayberry Hill Road is that “apparently we thought it was 2.3 and it is 2.8 miles,” according to Chairman Holly Hancock. Also, the board wanted to make certain the shim coat was included. The selectmen were faced with a choice of which roads to pave and which roads to
put off until the future. The amount of money earmarked for paving “will allow us to do Hillside. There’s not enough money to do New Road and Glenn Drive,” Hancock said. Selectman Mary-Vienessa Fernandes talked to the road commissioner about a possible order of importance of these roads prior to making her decision. “I asked [Casco Town Manager] Dave [Morton] what he would propose. He said Mayberry Hill hasn’t been done for a while,” PAVING, Page 8A
SAFE TO LET NATURE RUN ITS COURSE? That is the question Bridgton selectmen ponder in regards to fallen and hazardous trees in Pondicherry Park. This downed tree is near one of the walking trails. (Rivet Photo)
Nature vs. logging
Safety concerns arise regarding hazardous trees in Pondicherry Park By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Taking a casual or brisk walk through Pondicherry Park can be mind-clearing and invigorating. The stillness of the forest is broken by a squirrel dashing through leaves and up a tree or water splashing as a beaver works on the bank of Stevens Brook. The crackling of a rotted tree branch and its landing on the leaf-covered forest floor, however, is a concerning sound to Bridgton selectmen. Hazardous trees, particularly those near park trails, pose a safety problem leaving a few selectmen “losing sleep at night.” While there is no disagreement that public safety is paramount, there is a differing in opinion as to how to address the issue at the 65-acre intown park.
Jon Evans, who is an alternate on the Pondicherry Park Stewardship Committee, says the conservation easement does not prohibit or endorse a forestry operation. It recommends following the management plan for dealing with hazardous trees. The plan states, “Trees that have fallen into the trail should be removed and left in the forest to naturally decompose. In the summer and fall, tree branches and low-lying vegetation and roots should be clipped or limbed up to allow for clear passage along trails…Remove hazard trees in proximity to trails and structures. Leave dying trees that are not a hazard in place for wildlife habitat purposes.” “To have a timber harvesting company come in, I don’t feel is feasible,” Evans told selectmen. When Selectman
Bear Zaidman raised concern about diseased trees, like those found on Sabattis Island, which the town had removed, Evans said the park’s maintenance plan calls for removal, but urges to keep the forest’s canopy intact, thus stopping invasive plants (which exist there) “from taking over.” Forester Jack Wadsworth looked at the park in April, and with Dylan Smith prepared a report entitled, “Forest Condition and Recreational Safety Assessment for Pondicherry Park.” In short, Wadsworth found existing conditions a “dangerous situation.” “The number of dying trees throughout the park is a bit concerning. The hazardous trees near the hiking trails are obvious, however, the trees and forest as a whole needs to be considered. Often, TREES, Page 2A
Naples uses e-mail to award bid
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — During the first meeting after Independence Day, the Naples Board of Selectmen was not free to vote. That’s because the meeting lacked a quorum. Only selectmen Jim Grattelo and Jim Turpin were present for the meeting of July 9. The meeting was subsequently cancelled. Many of the items on that night’s agenda will sim-
ply be addressed during the next meeting, which is this upcoming Monday. However, the awarding of bids could not be postponed for another two weeks so the board took care of that electronically. The board members were able to vote on the bids via e-mail, something that Chairman Jim Grattelo had requested be done, according to Naples Town Manager John Hawley.
LIKE A ROCK — A granite bench was dedicated to Lew Wetzel, who first discovered the leak at the Pleasant Lake-Parker Pond Dam. On July 7, the Pleasant Lake and Parker Pond Association (PLPPA) Board of Directors met at the new dam. Seated are (from left) Lew Wetzel, Mimi Wetzel, and Peter Barber; standing are (from left) Deborah Shapiro, Denis Bergeron, Treasurer David Randall, Steven Turner, Cindy Begin, Bob MacGregor, Eric Dibner, President Anne Fritts, Secretary Marygrace Barber, Holly LeBlanc and Connie Sasser. (Photo courtesy of Peter Barber)
Two bids were awarded, Hawley said. A third bid item, involving masonry work on two brick buildings in the Village Green, was rejected with new bid proposals due this Friday, he said. The more expensive bid is the purchase of a new truck that was approved at the annual town meeting. Two older vehicles were part of the trade-in, Hawley said. The selectmen awarded that bid to Emerson
Chevrolet-Buick, of Auburn. The town will purchase a Chevy 3500 truck for $35,900, that is to be used by the town’s Maintenance Department. The truck will be utilized for “year-round outdoor maintenance of public spaces,” Hawley said. A plow attachment will be a separate purchase for wintertime use, he said. P&K Sand and Gravel NAPLES, Page 7A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Longtime Casco resident Lew Wetzel is typically observant and aware. He is the person who figured out the old dam in Casco was leaking when no one else had noticed it. But, it took some pointing out by friends for him to clue into the fact that a granite bench at the new dam had been dedicated to him. “I was very surprised because it was a complete secret as far was I was con-
cerned,” Wetzel said. “I found out about it when we went over to the bench and they told me to read the inscription.” “None of my family has seen it yet. They will be coming in a week and a half for Casco Days — and I’ll show them then,” Wetzel said. His wife Mimi said, “They know about it and they are very proud and excited.” The bench will be formally dedicated to Wetzel during the upcoming annual LEW, Page 3A
Bench honors Lew’s lake efforts
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