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Thomas Harvey, Hannah Austin finish as top male and female racers at Casco Days
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Obituaries . . . . . . 3B-4B Opinions . . . . . . . 1B-3B Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . 7A-8A Student News . . . . . . 8A Games . . . . . . . . . . . . 6B
Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870 Vol. 150, No. 31
16 PAGES - 2 Sections
Chamber in state of flux
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer The Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce is in transition. Monday, the Chamber released news that Executive Director Sue Mercer was leaving the organization. STEPS DOWN — After “The Chamber of seven years, Sue Mercer Commerce would like to has left the Chamber of wish a fond farewell to Commerce as executive Sue Mercer. She served director. the Chamber well for seven years and we would like to wish her all the best in her future endeavors,” read the press release. The same message is the lead information on the Chamber’s website. The released noted that the Chamber is currently staffed Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. “to serve and support our members.” The News reached out to Mercer via e-mail, but did not receive a response. Chamber Board of Directors president Heidi Edwards (Personal Banker, Norway Savings Bank) did comment on the direction the organization plans to head in. “First, I would like to share that like many other organizations, going through last year with COVID really made the Chamber board evaluate our effectiveness as well as our efficiencies. We have a full board of Directors for the first time in a long time and many of our Directors are new to us and bring with them a variety of experience and some fresh new ideas! We are working hard to reevaluate what we do, why we do it, and how we do it,” Edwards said. “We’re upgrading our technology and working to be a better supporter of local businesses. This is going to be a truly transitional year for the Chamber.” Edwards said the Chamber may pass on filling the executive director position and opt for a different approach. “The position that Sue left is not necessarily the position that we will need filled; though we haven’t worked out specifics yet,” she said. “With a volunteer board of business professionals, these things take a bit longer than they would for a regular business so you’ll have to stay tuned for a while longer on that.” Edwards added that given many of the proposed changes, “Sue felt that it was time for her to move on.” “She will be missed by the board as well as our CHAMBER, Page 3A
Bridgton, Maine
August 5, 2021
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer What is the best use of the former Bridgton Memorial School building and property? A variety of ideas have been floated over the years by local groups and organizations, but those options have remained pipe dreams Peter Lowell and fellow Bridgton Economic Development Corporation members would like to see the property transformed into a functioning facility to benefit a wide spectrum of the community. Lowell, along with Jim Chalmers and Mark Lopez, recently met with Bridgton Selectmen to “get the ball rolling” to determine what might be the best fit for the former elementary school. The BEDC members presented a snapshot of possible uses, as well as a concept design, which the group pegs at an estimated cost between $10 to $20 million. Lowell noted that the BEDC would seek out grant money and launch a capital fundraising effort. No tax dollars would be used to retrofit and build a new complex. Ultimately, the group
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Economic group given green light to study property options
looked to get selectmen’s blessing to proceed with idea development and push to include an item on the June 2022 town meeting warrant regarding the transfer of the BMS property from SAD 61 to the Town of Bridgton. Once that transfer is approved, the town would then transfer the property to the BEDC. The BEDC was formed to create a public-private partnership to provide a legal entity that could apply for and receive grants. SAD 61 has indicated a desire to turn the school property over to the town, but there is a catch. Due
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to the proximity to Stevens Brook Elementary, SAD 61 wants to see redevelopment to be educational, historical and/or recreational in nature, not commercial. Another condition, the property cannot be sold by the town to offset taxes. Town officials plan to reach out to SAD 61 Superintendent Al Smith to schedule another meeting regarding the BMS property. And, the board gave the BEDC the green light to continue their efforts. “This is a need. It’s worthwhile to give it a shot,” Selectman Fred Packard said. “I feel we should test
the waters. We need to start somewhere. We need to take a first step.” Selectman Bob McHatton concurred, “This is just the beginning — the tip of the iceberg. Let’s see how big this iceberg is and what to do with it.” Lowell pointed out that the “process will remain flexible” and “no one has decided anything at this point.” “It’s time to move forward. This is not a dream or a thought, we need to take the next step and move it forward,” BEDC member Jim Chalmers said. To move ahead, Lowell said the BEDC needs the ability to raise money to cover various expenses such BMS USES, Page 3A
CONCEPT DESIGN — Although nothing is “carved in stone” at this stage of exploring possible uses of the old Bridgton Memorial School, this concept was just an example for town leaders to look at.
Rotary challenge to community
The Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club is matching the first $10,000 in donations made by individuals, businesses and nonprofits in the area during July and August of this year to support the Magic Lantern Innovation Lab Project. Being developed by the University of Maine and the 4H Foundation, this project will benefit the youth of our region as well as others. The goal of this project is to increase the educational opportunities for youth and the community. The programs will focus on creative learning, career opportunities, internships, and UMaine research-based curriculum. The plan is to utilize the spaces at the Magic Lantern for special presentations, programs and events to support youth. Other UMaine 4-H learning centers (there are four already in Maine) are dedicated to bringing the latest research into communities. These educational programs provide students and the community opportunities to be involved directly with very exciting and valuable cutting-edge research and education. Also, the Magic Lantern Innovation Lab will partner with the schools, local non-profits and businesses. The intent is to build a com-
RAYMOND — The passionate, three-year long “Save the Hawthorne House!” fundraising campaign launched to repair serious structural damage to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home in Raymond is entering its last phase, but still lacks the final $15,000 it needs to “get across the finish line” and save the beloved, historic house. JUST LAUNCHED repair work being done at Nathaniel “Work on excavating Hawthorne’s Boyhood Home in Raymond. the granite foundation has (Photo courtesy of Hawthorne Community Association) now begun and — from the
looks of things — it’s a very good thing we began when we did,” said Abel Bates of the Hawthorne Community Association. “The foundation was even worse than we thought.” Bates said the urgent repairs were launched on July 18 by a team of local contractors along with local volunteers, after it became clear that repairs to the house built in 1812 could no longer wait. Copp & Sons Building Movers lifted the build-
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — It has sometimes been said that in order to be most effective on a town board or on a city council, one must be able to “play well in the sandbox.” One elected official has put forth a proposed policy to fairly schedule ahead of time and to equally share the positions of chairman and vice-chairman between the people serving as selectmen. “It takes the politics out of it because everyone knows what year it is their turn to be chair or chairman. Personally, I think it is a fairer process,” Casco Chairman MaryVienessa Fernandes said. On July 20, Chairman Fernandes introduced what she called the Chair Transition Policy, a subject which she had requested be put on the agenda. After the discussion, people on the Casco Board of Selectmen agreed that Fernandes should draft the policy to be reviewed during the board’s next meeting on Aug. 3. “We are all equal here. We are all officials for the Town of Casco,” Fernandes said on July 20. “I think one of the most important things besides representing our town is being an active participant and dictating the agenda,” she said. TRANSITION, Page 3A
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Memorial School’s future use?
munity education program serving the needs and interests of Bridgton and the region. For more information about the project and to Donate go to: https:// extension.umaine. edu/4hfoundation/magiclantern/ or Google Magic Lantern Innovation Lab. Or mail your check payable to the UMaine 4H Foundation, mentioning the Magic Lantern Project, to York Complex #1, Orono, Maine 04469. The first $10,000 raised will be matched by the BridgtonLake Region Rotary Club. “This is one of the biggest projects the Rotary Club has ever supported,” said Rotary President Jessica Putnam when she and Dave Barker, the Rotary Club’s Project Leader met recently. “It will benefit our children and grandchildren in the years to come.” Barker, a longtime Rotarian, said, “I’ve lived here all my life. I know the community will come through. They have in the past for many communitybased projects. When we heard about this effort, we felt it was something we Rotarians wanted to get behind. And, decided to pull from our reserves for this worthy initiative.” For more information about Rotary and the Club’s activities, contact Jessica Putnam or Dave Barker at lakeregionrotary@gmail.com. Also visit the Club’s website at www. LakeRegionRotary.com or its Facebook page.
To be fair, chair transition policy
Legal Notices . . . . . . . 2B
Club will match $ for Lab
ROTARY JOINS EFFORT — Rotary President Jessica Putnam and Project Leader Rotarian Dave Barker discuss benefits to the region of the Magic Lantern Innovative Lab.
Feds pitch in, too
A drive to turn the Magic Lantern Theatre in Bridgton into a 4-H Innovation Lab and Learning Center, while also continuing the operation as a movie house, has received federal funding. House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairwoman Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine, 1st District) announced the passage of nine out of 12 government funding bills for fiscal year 2022. “After the devastation of the pandemic and decades of disinvestment, the American economy leaves behind working families, small businesses, and our communities. The bills passed by the House this week will create good-paying jobs, address the climate crisis, and provide a lifeline for our country to truly build back better from the pandemic, creating economic opportunity in every district across the country,” Pingree said. “I’m particularly pleased to make progress on bringing home more than $6 milFEDS, Page 3A
$15,000 needed for urgent repairs ing, and Jason Copp will pour the new footings and foundation. Dave Blanchard removed the chimney and will excavate the old foundation, backfill and re-seed.
Larry Napolitano of Dirigo Masonry will block up to the correct height and position the granite veneer. Dale Plante of New England REPAIRS, Page 2A
The Bridgton News Established 1870
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