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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 150, No. 29
16 PAGES - 2 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
July 22, 2021
Legal Notices . . . . . . . 2B
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Proposed ‘Code’ to provide clearer path By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Bridgton is experiencing growth on both the residential and commercial fronts. But, the road to successful and legal development can be somewhat bumpy as developers and property owners attempt to navigate five ordinances filled with “legalese.” Relief is on the way. Nearly a year in the making, Bridgton voters will be asked in November to pass a Consolidated Land Use Code, which combines those five existing ordinances — Land Use, Site Plan Review, Shoreland Zoning, Building/ Plumbing/Razing and Subdivision Regulations —
into one tidy document. “Here is a fun fact. After consolidation, we have a document of 173 pages. The five ordinances together totals 265 pages,” Town Attorney Aga Dixon told members of the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen, who held a joint workshop Tuesday night to hear an overview of the proposed code, as well as pose questions. “We’ve cut 92 pages by eliminating redundant, problematic text. We’re still cleaning things up.” The goal was to create a “more user-friendly document” and to “enable a more efficient and cohesive review process with all
requirements in one document.” Over the years, existing ordinances were tweaked to meet changing standards or needs. The patchwork approach, however, created conflicts between documents. Definitions used varied from one ordinance to the other. And, some standards fell behind changes in state law. Planners and town office staff started a review last December. Five workshops were held, and input for the town attorney was used. “The objective was to consolidate, eliminate redundancies, simplify for ease of use, clarity, efficiency and to reconcile conflicts and discrepancies between
ordinances while minimizing substantive changes to review criteria or the review process,” wrote Planning Board Chairwoman Deb Brusini in her summary report. Overall improvements (highlight of key ones): • Consolidated and reconciled redundant sections: Administration, Authority, Applicability, Enforcement, Performance Guarantees, Definitions, Purposes, Appeals, Variances and Waivers, Amendments, Notices, Non-conformance, etc. Streamlined legal section. • Clarified review authorities (e.g. PB or CEO or BOA).
electronic copies instead. (Engineering drawings will still be provided as full-size paper copies). • Added missing or needed definitions; harmonized duplicative and conflicting definitions • Clarified and reconciled requirements for “substantial start” and “substantial completion” of a development project. • Appendix with all cross-referenced guidance documents will be added. One immediate example of the user-friendly goal is a “road map” to using the code. The page has 5 Steps to steer the user through the process. CODE, Page 3A
Water removal prompts talk
Gear up for boat parade By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — This weekend’s boat parade promises to spread the holiday spirit. Even if it’s five months early. The 2nd Annual Naples Christmas in July boat parade is scheduled to take place Saturday at 8:30 p.m. (around sunset). The starting spot for the night-time boat parade is Brandy Pond. So there will be excellent viewing spots from the Bob Neault Memorial Bridge and from the Naples Causeway. Last year, the Christmasthemed boat parade was the Naples’ answer to the cancellation of festivals, fairs and annual events due to COVID. The boat parade was popular enough to earn a repeat performance. This time, the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce (SLRCC) is involved. “A good reason to get involved in the boat parade is because it is fun. It is great way to get your boat out there and have a fun time,” according to SLRCC Executive Director Robin Mullins. It was originally pulled off last year because of the social distancing recommended during the pandemic, she said. “People enjoyed it so much and said, ‘Hey, we should do this again.’ It is great way to get people together. If you don’t have a boat, you can watch. It is a great way to build camaraderie on the water, and even on the land,” she said. The chamber is expecting a good turnout because posters were delivered to the campgrounds and residents on the lakes and local business. Plus, the Christmas in July boat parade was posted on Facebook. “Whether you have a boat or not, you can participate in this. All those people are coming together and have fun — that is really what it is all about,” Mullins said. Also, measures are being taken to make the event even more safe than last year, according to Mark Maroon, with the Naples Marine Safety Department. “We have got buoys PARADE, Page 3A
• Put all dimensional standards in one place for easier use. • Put all land uses into two tables (land use districts and shoreland zoning districts) for easier use. • The application submission, review, approval, and permitting processes have been clarified. • Variance and waiver provisions have been consolidated, reconciled and clarified. • Public hearing notices changed to be published once as opposed to twice (where statutory requirement is once). • Paper copies required for applications were reduced from eight to one,
FIRST POSTER to go up in Bridgton was at Chalmers Insurance Group. Posing next to the poster designed to raise awareness about domestic violence, are: Jeannine Lauber Oren, Mary Lou Smith and Patrisha McLean, the founder of Finding Our Voices, and Chalmers Internet Technology Technician Kristine Karlsson. (De Busk Photo)
Stopping DV — It’s
time to ‘Say Something’
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer The three women walked into each business in Bridgton, and proudly introduced themselves, saying they had been victims of domestic abuse — for decades, in marriages that on the surface appeared happy. Their objective was to ask if the business-owner or store manager would agree to put up a huge banner,in a window with a very public view for at least a month to increase awareness about domestic violence. The women were not shunned or silenced or turned away. In fact, business-owners welcomed them, applauded their cause, and many agreed to put up the posters. The women — Patrisha McLean, of Camden and Jeannine Lauber Oren, of Casco, and Mary Lou Smith, of Scarborough, have vastly improved their lives after leaving abusive partners. And, they are not being silent about it. They are shedding the label of victim. They call themselves ‘survivor warriors.’ Smith taught first grade in Raymond for years; and at the age of 65, she left her husband, saying it’s never too late.
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Water is a precious commodity. That is being seen across the nation, and recently in some people’s backyards. The town has received several complaints about a business that was using a tanker truck to take water from Pleasant Lake, according to Casco Town Manager Tony Ward. In response to this, Ward has researched ordinances governing water extraction and storage in the state of Maine. He found an ordinance for Cumberland, which he presented to the selectmen. A company associated with swim pools “was taking water out of Pleasant Lake. And, in Maine that is legal,” Ward said. Referring to the Cumberland ordinance, Ward said, “I don’t think it meets our needs. It is at least a starting point to address the removal of public waters.” On Tuesday, the Casco Board of Selectmen discussed whether or not they wanted to consider an ordinance dealing with water extraction. Selectman Robert “Rob” MacDonald indicated that an ordinance might be needed. “It is necessary for erosion control. These people pumped out water five times,” he said. Holly Hancock confirmed that. “They were there five times. I think they are filling wells,” she said, adding that sections of Pleasant Lake were so low it wasn’t going down the streams MacDonald addressed the public safety issue. “A lot of these lakes are used as hydrants. We want to be able to use the lake as a hydrant to put out fires if we need to. We need to be cautious of our own resources, and protect them for the sake of the town,” he said. Selectman Scott Avery spoke. “Is he filling pools or is he filling wells? There is a difference here. Filling a pool is for recreation. Filling a well is for life. Their well is low and they need water. God forbid! If any of our elderly have a well run dry, it effects their day-to-day living. Not just our elderly but anybody, a family with children, shouldn’t have their well run dry,” Avery said. The board members agreed that they did not want the lakes in their town to become dry. Board members brought up the dry weather conditions in Washington, Oregon and California. Chair Mary-Vienessa Fernandes talked about water conservation. WATER, Page 3A
Casco seat open
LOCAL SUPPORT — Jeannine Lauber Oren, with Finding Our Voices, stands next to Dave Allensen, the owner of the Umbrella Factory Supermarket, who offered to put up four posters in his store windows. The posters or banners are part of a state-wide campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence. (Photo courtesy of Jeannine Oren) McLean, the former wife feel self-conscious Now, of Mainer Don McLean we are standing proud and whose claim to fame is the speaking loud. There is song ‘American Pie,’ is the nothing to hide,” McLean founder of findingourvoic- said. es.net. Finding the strength Receptive audience to speak out was not always The current environeasy, she said. ment is such that people SAY, Page 2A “In the beginning, I did
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — After a long-time Casco selectman stepped down before his term was up, the remaining board decided to wait until the November Election to fill the seat. On July 6, Chairman Thomas Peaslee publicly announced his resignation saying that he was moving on to another phase of his life. Although Peaslee had agreed to grant an interview, he did not return phone calls to The Bridgton News on Monday or Tuesday. Peaslee was first elected to the board of selectmen in 2014. Prior to that he had served on the Casco Planning Board. Since 2014, the residents voted Peaslee to two more terms. His resignation comes before his most recent term ended. That happens June 2022. On Tuesday, the selectmen discussed filling the vacated selectman seat. STEPS DOWN, Page 3A
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