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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870 Vol. 150, No. 33
16 PAGES - 2 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
August 19, 2021
Legal Notices . . . . . . . 4B
www.bridgton.com
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Could contract deputy solve speeding issues?
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Drivers passing through might not think twice about the posted speed limits in a community. However, it can be very frustrating for residents and people enjoying the area to contend with vehicles going much faster than the speed limit.
The story is the same everywhere. It’s the solution that is different. Casco selectman Scott Avery brought up the idea of contracting a deputy specifically for the town’s needs. Most likely, it would be a deputy from Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. The Town of Naples has also recently con-
tracted a 40 hours per week deputy from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. Avery put the topic on the table, and he received the support of his peers during the Casco Board of Selectmen’s regular meeting on Tuesday. He shared his suggestion during the Selectmen’s Comments portion of the agenda. Avery described the joys of Casco Days in the Village, and how during that weekend, despite crowds near Meadow Road, there were still multiple speeders. He said the problem of speeding through Casco Village was once again highlighted for him while he was watching a community theater performance in the gazebo at the Casco Days Park. “I really think it is time that the town takes a look at a contract deputy,” Avery said. “Watching the traffic go through this Village during the hour and a half while we were watching that show was absolutely appalling. They are double the speed limit. They don’t have any sense of care that people are walking on sidewalks or that the park is full of people,” he said. BLACK TIRE MARKS were left behind on Route 11 He admitted it is a townand along sections of Leach Hill Road after someone wide issue, verbalized by citibraked and accelerated quickly. On Tuesday, one select- zens. man suggested the Town of Casco consider contracting “It seems like when we a deputy to help with traffic violations and other issues. have groups of people with (De Busk Photo) DEPUTY, Page 8A
HEADLINER of the first Music on Main will be the Pete Kilpatrick Band.
Music as magnet for Main Street?
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Main Street needs a jolt of excitement in the evening, so why not roll out an occasional concert? Justin McIver and 28 other local businesses think the town could benefit from a free concert series, Music on Main. The first performance is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. Rain date Sunday, Aug. 29. McIver wears many hats, and he is now taking on the role of concert promoter. He approached Bridgton selectmen last week seeking permission to use the town parking lot on Park Street as part of the music venue.
This week, site work was done at McIver’s 144 Main Street lot — the former location of Main Street Variety and future home of a British-style pub/restaurant — in preparation of install- OPENING ACT Jordan ing a stage, as well as a beer Kaulback tent area serviced by Fluvial will help out our businesses. We want people to come, to Brewing in Harrison. McIver sees the music walk around and explore and series as a chance to show- see Bridgton is alive.” Reaching out to businesscase Bridgton and its potential, especially from an art and es for sponsorship, McIver said $9,000 has been raised culture standpoint. “We have a number of to put on Music on Main, younger people here now,” which he hopes becomes as a said McIver, and a need exists monthly event. “People are hoping it can to develop more events for folks of all ages to enjoy. stick,” he said. “We antici“We want to create a more pate a great turnout. This is vibrant downtown, which MUSIC, Page 3A
Site walk on horizon for proposed solar array
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — A company that developed a solar array in a blueberry field in Rockport is proposing one on 8.8 acres off Harrison Road in Naples. The property, which is owned by Delvin Martin, is an undeveloped lot 150 acres in size, located 281
Harrison Road, across from Woodland Shore Drive The company, BWC Brandy Pond, LLC, has done the required, extensive wildlife studies, finding vernal pools and deer wintering areas as well as a wetlands stream — all of which down-sized the original project. The Naples Planning
Board heard the sketchplan presentation and responded with a desire to further investigate by doing a site walk on the land and definitely addressing any views of the solar arrays from the lake. “The proposed array is 8.8 acres. We will clear 18 acres to prevent shading because we need the
array to absorb the sunlight,” said Amy, one of three people involved in Blue Wave Energy, the group that formed BWC Brandy Pond, LLC. “We used a photo from a place in Rockport, Route 17. You are looking at Mason’s Pond and in the background is the array that is built in a blueberry field.
Not the same exact size [as the proposed Naples one, which is smaller]. Those are the same types of panels and the same type of finish on the panels that we are proposing, almost transparent,” she said. “They are a little easier on the eyes. It doesn’t present any more glare. It’s not worse than glare from the water body.
It blends in with the surroundings a little bit.” “In summary, from the original design, we have reduced our wetland impact from what would have been almost 87,000 square feet to 17,000 square feet of proposed wetland impact,” she said. The sticking point for SOLAR, Page 2A
Prospective buyer looks for clarity
HENRY is a life-sized, fully articulated wooden mannequin, with rosy cheeks and waxed mustache, which Hans Jenni designed after retiring from innkeeping in 1994.
Henry — Hans Jenni’s lasting gift By Michael Davis BN Columnist Howdy neighbor! This week, on behalf of everyone at the Bridgton Historical Society past and present, we wish to take this space to express our deep sadness and regret over the recent passing of our friend, Hans Jenni. Everyone down at our museum, even as throughout our whole community, sends their dearest condolences to his wife Barbara, together with their children and grandchildren from Maine to California. The Ridge will not be the same without Hans, nor will the slopes of our mountains feel as welcoming, now that he has gone to higher peaks in brighter skies beyond. After 62 years of calling Bridgton home, still we feel has he left us all too soon. Those of you stopping into the Society this week will find, alongside our usual staff and volunteers, a familiar face to greet you at the door. Stepping in, you’ll meet Henry — and already, if you don’t know who Henry is, then I’d wager it’s fair to say you must be new in town. Because just about everyone in Bridgton knew Henry, back in the days when HENRY, Page 8A
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer As Steven Lobisser looks to close on a deal to purchase Squeaky Clean Laundromat in Bridgton from long-time owner David Diller, he had a few questions regarding a major part of the operation — waste water disposal. Selectmen helped fill in a few of the blanks, but the conversation also raised another question. Presently, Diller has a land lease with the Town of Bridgton, dated back to September 1985, which allows sewage disposal on town property. Terms include renewals, not to exceed five years per period. Lobisser, who owns two
other laundromats, would seek a transfer of the lease upon completion of purchasing the Squeaky Clean. “I don’t know what the lease might look like or the effect of the financials,” he said. “Is it mandatory to connect to the sewer system? I’m here to gather information.” Selectman Bear Zaidman indicated that new sewer system is expected to be online by fall 2023. Once the sewer plant is operational, there is no hook-up charge for either homeowners or businesses in Year 1. A fee is charged in
subsequent years. The sewer ordinance also outlines how fee totals are determined, including factors like number of equivalent users (for a laundromat, two washing machines equal one equivalent user) and flow rate (same rate for all users). Zaidman suggested that Lobisser meet with system engineer Brent Bridges, who is at the town office every Tuesday, to go over projected costs associated with the laundromat connecting to the new system. The question is what happens to the leased property?
Under Maine Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, if something else is built on the old disposal field site, soils would need to be removed and replaced with loam and seeding. Currently, two acres is used for laundromat wastewater disposal. Who would pay for the mitigation? Officials believe costs should not fall upon taxpayers, but covered by the previous user. “It would be a good area for housing — seven acres in a residential area,” said Zaidman, who noted that he wants to see the laundromat continue to operate because there is a “real need” in town for such service, but he “must BRIDGTON, Page 2A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — The elected officials seemed to agree it is the Goldilocks of tax hikes. The Casco Board of Selectmen voted to set the new tax rate at $15.66, up six cents from the current one of $15.60. Casco Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward presented the range of overlays, and compared those to the not-too-much, not-too-little number being recommended by the town’s assessor. “Myself and staff have reviewed this and feel very
comfortable with doing a recommended overlay of [about] $300,000, which means the mil rate of $15.66,” Ward said. “We came to that determination because we looked over the last few years. We are averaging about $27,000 in the use of overlay. We are not having a market analysis. We are not having a revaluation where you would want to have more in an overlay,” he said. He provided a breakdown of how much the tax bills of property owners would increase, depending on the value of the homes.
If the board selected the proposed overlay amount, it would result in the $15.66 tax rate: • $100,000 house would see a $6 increase in the taxes • $200,000 house would see $12 • $300,000 house would see an $18
• $400,000 house would see a $24 increase “From a policy standpoint, it is also good to maintain a consistent mil rate. You don’t want it have these ebbs and flows . . . to drop by 30 cents one year and then raise by 10 cents TAX RATE, Page 3A
Bridgton selectmen
Casco tax rate goes to $15.66
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