Summer Scene
Some photo finishes
Inside News
Music Festival at Deertrees; Traditional arts at Narramissic; Hole in Wall reception
Eastman, Bannon win easily in Lovell and Sebago, but there were tight endings
Calendar . . . . . . . 6D-7D
Section B
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 4D Country Living . . . 5B-6B Directory . . . . . . . . . . 5D
Page 1C-2C
Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 6D Opinions . . . . . . . 1D-8D Police/Court . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . 1C-8C Student News . . . 7C-8C Games . . . . . . . . . . . . 5C
Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 149, No. 30
32 PAGES - 4 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
July 26, 2018
know has had some care at Bridgton, either in the “old” hospital or in the modern 22-bed facility that we now call home. Recently, Central Maine Healthcare – the system we are proud to be part of—has begun work to identify areas of growth and impact for Bridgton Hospital so that, as we enter our second century of service, we can best meet the needs of our community. By examining local demographic changes and trends in the way patients consume healthcare, we hope to find avenues for expansion, as well as areas where we must be prudent stewards of this remarkable community institution. I’d like to note here that
the system has no intent to close Bridgton Hospital, which is consistently nationally recognized for its commitment to safety and highquality care. As a designated “critical access hospital,” Bridgton has an obligation to meet the healthcare needs of the region it serves, even as those needs evolve. How have they changed, and to what degree? How can we provide these services without sacrificing quality of care, access or affordability? We must find out. We’ve taken two steps to start this process. First, we’ve engaged a knowledgeable partner, ERDMAN, whose integrated approach to planning has
www.bridgton.com
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
Neighbor gives beach views
President: ‘System has no intent to close BH’
Editor’s note: Following a front page BN story on July 12, in which local resident Ursula Flaherty voiced concerns to Bridgton selectmen regarding the exodus of numerous physicians and what the future holds in terms of healthcare access locally, Bridgton Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer R. David Frum submitted the following piece for publication: By R. David Frum BH President & CEO For 101 years, Bridgton Hospital has served the people of the Lake Region, providing care to generations of local residents and summer people alike. If you live around here, chances are that you and everyone you
(USPS 065-020)
Weather . . . . . . . . . . . 4D
R. David Frum BH President & CEO received national recognition. ERDMAN will help us create a “road map” customized to the unique strengths of Bridgton Hospital and the unique needs of the Lake Region. Our ERDMAN team has already provided us with an excellent briefing on national trends in healthcare that may greatly affect RESPONDS, Page 3A
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer With the culprit — norovirus — identified as the reason nearly 100 people became sick after swimming at Woods Pond Beach, neighbor Barry Denofrio gave selectmen a few observations. “Barry is our other set of eyes at Woods Pond,” Bridgton Town Manager Robert Peabody told board members Tuesday night. Several concerns had been expressed to Denofrio including: • Fecal matter at the beach. “This year, the Department of Public Works has done an excellent job removing any dog and geese waste in a timely manner. I have not observed any such
Bridgton Selectmen notes matter in weeks,” Denofrio said. • Lake level. The lake water level was approximately 4.25 at the beginning of July through July 5. The average for the same time in the past is 4.30. “The difference is insignificant. Yes, the level is lower now because of the lack of rain, but is still within the expected summer range,” he noted. • General cleanliness at the beach. Again, Denofrio credited Public Works for cleaning the beach “routinely and thoroughly” this BEACH, Page 2A
No word on selectmen, BH meeting; why no confidence? By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Fred Packard was eager to find out Tuesday night if a meeting had been scheduled between Bridgton selectmen and Bridgton Hospital president and CEO David Frum. The answer: no. Selectman Packard noted it is a “concern.” The concern comes on the heels of a front page daily newspaper story that Bridgton Hospital medical staff voted unanimously (20–0, which reportedly included doctors, nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants) that they have no confidence in Central Maine Healthcare president and CEO Jeff Brickman.
BH staff reportedly is concerned about cuts in services, financial woes and the possibility that the obstetrics unit might close. BH president and chief executive officer David Frum penned an op-ed column (see above) to answer some of the questions raised by recent News’ letter writers. The News did reach out to a Lake Region Community Health Board member, but was told at this time correspondences regarding the no confidence vote and other hospital matters were being issued by Central Maine’s public relations and community affairs department. Board members include: Matthew Frank, Phil Libby, Susan Cole, Holly Dvorak, Vincent Osgood, Jessica Priola, Phyllis
Ginzler, Dr. Wenda Saunders, Dr. David Tupponce (CMH) and David Frum. When a daily newspaper attempted to seek comment from Brickman regarding the no confidence vote and financial issues facing Central Maine Healthcare, a statement was released by Kate Carlisle, director of public relations and community affairs. The statement read, “The leadership team joined Central Maine Healthcare at a time of substantial financial shortfalls and shifts in the healthcare landscape, particularly in Maine. Changes, some of them significant, have been necessary to face these issues, and we understand that even necessary change is difficult.” Carlisle added that the CMH system
remains “very committed” to Bridgton Hospital. A physician, who requested anonymity, said three issues are driving the no confidence vote, as well as convincing some staff to look elsewhere for employment. The issues include: • The production model being used for compensation. On the one hand, volume is the key driver for pay, yet physicians are asked to use a “cumbersome” and “terribly slow” electronic record-keeping system, which prevents them from meeting expected patient numbers. • The physician said a “lack of respect” exists between medical staff and administraNO CONFIDENCE, Page 3A
Naples grows toward seasonal law officers By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — People in the Town of Naples have said more than once that they don’t want all the signs, flags and banners on the Causeway that would make their town look like Old Orchard Beach. There is something OOB has that might be appropriate in the heart of the Lake Region — seasonal law enforcement. It started out with a conversation about a request to ticket vehicles parked overnight on the Causeway. The discussion during the
Naples Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday developed into acknowledging that the town has grown to the point that more law enforcement is required during the summertime. Selectman Jim Turpin brought up something he had noticed during his almost daily travels across the Causeway. “Apparently, we don’t have a parking ordinance,” Turpin began. The area of concern was near the crosswalk by Rick’s Café. “There is a truck with a jet
ski trailer that is parked there, and is parked there too often, chronically,” he said, adding that the truck and trailer create an obstacle for drivers trying to see pedestrians who don’t always look before stepping into traffic. Turpin said he recently had a discussion about it with Naples Town Manager John Hawley. Turpin suggested to Hawley that the town “Call the sheriff and have him write a ticket.” “John said we don’t have an ordinance” to ticket people for blocking the line-of-sight
near the Causeway crosswalks. Other selectmen agreed to having seen this rig, as well as a truck that was parked over the weekend in the same spot on the Causeway near Merced’s on Brandy Pond. “It never moved,” they said. In addition to issues with illegal, potentially dangerous or overnight parking, problems also arise on the water, begging the question: Are more law enforcement personnel needed in Naples during the summer months?
Reflections
Destined to make difference Editor’s Note: ‘Reflections” is a series of stories on citizens in and around Fryeburg, written by Rachel Andrews Damon. Nickie Sekera, 48, is a woman destined to make a positive difference for all living creatures when it comes to the topic of water. Sekera was born in Bangor, the second of nine children to Joseph and Marie Sekera. Her paternal grandfather, one of 13 children, served in WWII and immigrated from the Ukraine. Her paternal grandmother was from Maine. Sekera spent her early years in Eddington along the eastern banks of the Penobscot. She attended John Bapst Memorial High School, where her father was a founding principal. Her mother ran a day care center and taught preschool. Following in the footsteps of her parents, she received her degree in secondary education from the University of Maine, Orono and wanted to become a high school English teacher. “I was very lucky to do my student teaching under Maine author Sanford Phippen. I have so much respect for teachers and this deepened my respect,” she said. “I liked following in the tradition of my mother and father, but I found the classroom somewhat confining. So, I took pause.” “I grew up with a deep sense of inquiry,” Sekera said. “People interest me. Situations interest me. There is so much in this world to know and I am always acutely aware of what I don’t know.” With a mind to self-discovery, Sekera hiked the 2,190mile Appalachian Trail by herself in 1994. In 1996, she took on the Pacific Crest Trail, 2,600 miles running from the Mexico to British Columbia.
Nickie Sekera
“I recognize that not every person has the physical ability or the privilege of being able to do this, but it is a gift I gave to myself,” she said. “On nature’s terms, it is the experience of being able to survive, to take care of yourself and to interact. It taught me that if we don’t take care of the land and especially the water, we lose it.” These treks altered Sekera’s life forever and solidified her passions for protecting the natural world, especially water resources. Sekera’s hiking expertise led her to western Maine to work with a new startup company — Summit Achievement NICKIE, Page 8A
Selectman Bob Caron II said, “Naples is growing too much on the Causeway. We need seasonal enforcement. We have grown.” Chairman Jim Grattelo agreed. “We need a game warden
from the Bluesfest through Labor Day — just like Old Orchard Beach — they hire seasonal” law enforcement, Grattelo said. Caron continued speaking. “Don’t get me wrong. I OFFICERS, Page 5A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — The Town of Naples has been losing money every time it processes a subdivision review application. After all, subdivision review typically requires some work on the part of the town attorney. “Every time we do a subdivision, the attorney’s fees are more than the subdivision fee. We are losing money on subdivisions,” according to Naples Town Manager John Hawley. Now, the town has established a fee of $500 for a residential subdivision review, with an additional $500 per proposed lot. For commercial subdivision review, the fee is $750 per proposed lot. On Monday, the Naples Board of Selectmen adopted a new fee schedule which also includes an annual business license fee. The vote was 3–1 with Selectman Bob Caron II opposing it. Selectman Rich Cebra was absent. Selectman Jim Turpin, who voted in favor of the changed fee schedule said, “What sold me on it is that the town loses money on subdivision review
fees.” In addition to the implementation of the subdivision review fees, the town has established a business license fee that never before existed. The State of Maine charges for one, but the town did not. Originally, what was presented to the selectmen was a $25 fee that applied to new businesses only. However, that was amended to become an annual business permit. The reason is that the selectmen would like to follow up with creating an ordinance that would require personal property taxes to be paid before a business could get its annual permit. The business permit would not be required until 2019. Prior to that vote, there was some discussion about whether or not it should be tabled so that the public could weigh in on the fee schedule. The vote to table the agenda item failed. Earlier, Hawley presented the proposed fee increases to the board. “We haven’t changed our fees for a while. So, BIZ FEE, Page 8A
$25: Annual biz permit fee set
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