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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 144, No. 37
32 PAGES - 4 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
September 12, 2013
(USPS 065-020)
Weather . . . . . . . . . . . 5D
www.bridgton.com
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
The search for leaky septic system pipes By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer Wondering why strange orange symbols and letters have suddenly been spraypainted on the sidewalks, parking lots and streets in downtown Bridgton? The markings indicate “suspect” areas underneath the pavement, where the town’s sewer system may have developed leaks. And for the next month or two, the town’s Public Works and Wastewater Departments will be working with Dearborn Construction and WrightPierce Engineers on the three E’s — “Excavation, exploration and remediation,” to control inflow and infiltration into the system, explained Town Manager Mitch Berkowitz. At Tuesday’s Selectmen meeting, Chairman Doug Taft told Berkowitz he hoped the town could inform businesses ahead of time if excavation work was planned in front of their business. A business on Depot Street complained when crews closed down the street for most of the day
after finding a broken section of sewer pipe that had to be replaced. Berkowitz said that because the nature of the work is exploratory, it might be difficult to inform abutters of work being done in any given location on any given day. The town, by law, must notify Dig Safe, a statewide clearinghouse that notifies utility companies of any plans to dig underground. But because Dearborn cannot know ahead of time what they’ll encounter until they’ve excavated the suspect site, it’s not possible to provide a construction schedule ahead of time, Berkowitz said. “What we’re doing may be out of our control,” he said. Camera work done in 2006 identified areas in the lines where rainwater was likely infiltrating into the system because of a leak or general deterioration in the system. But the extent of the problem, and type of repair, cannot be known for sure until the area is excavated, Berkowitz said.
“We’re trying to get off of Main Street as quickly as we can.” The broken pipe on Depot Street was a major problem, and Dearborn is going after the most serious suspect areas first, he explained. “We hope we find no more of those (broken pipes),” said Berkowitz. The work was put off through the summer so as not to disrupt the heavier summer traffic. The work is expected to be completed by the second week of November, if not sooner, Berkowitz said. Once complete, the work will prevent the town’s two septic fields from getting flooded during high rain and water events. The work is being done on a unit pricing basis, he added. “You don’t know what you’re going to spend until you find it.” Berkowitz said the town will post updates on its website, detailing areas where work is to be done, if known ahead of time. “We don’t want to leave any suspicious areas untouched.”
WATERTIGHT — A worker from Dearborn Construction guides backhoe work on Bridgton’s Church Street, after digging around a manhole to remove old, crumbling bricks allowing wastewater to seep into the sewer system. The construction company will be excavating at various locations along the system over the next month or two, based on camera work that detected locations where water infiltration is occurring. (Geraghty Photo)
Casco embarks on eco uplift By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Residents had some wonderful words to say about the town in which they live, a community of which they are proud. People had penned their thoughts and ideas, and many saw ways to elevate the economic climate of Casco. Local resident Lynne Potter said that the town
“needs a platform for existing businesses.” She had brainstormed a name for the group to do this, “Cooperative Business Opportunity Board, or CBOB.” Potter’s idea is that when an event happens, such as the three-day horseback trip that took place along area trails over Labor Day weekend, local businesses would
offer their services to the participants. Businesses such as home-based B&B’s (bed and breakfasts), food caterers, and gift shops could get on board, Potter said. Even the residents who enjoy playing with radiocontrolled boats on the lakes could provide an attraction to visitors, she said. “There are so many opportunities that aren’t being used,” she said.
Following an economic development discussion that was prompted by the Casco Board of Selectmen three weeks ago, elected officials and residents made it clear the conversation would continue. In fact, the board decided to cancel an Oct. 15 meeting to attend a local business showcase and seminars PATH, Page A
Ordinance in no man’s land
FIRST CLASS BROKER — Edna Fadden holds down the fort in her back office at Chalmers Realty where, at age 85 and a half, she serves as the company’s vice president and designated broker and manager. She will retire on Friday, Sept. 20, and a party will be held in her honor on that day from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bridgton Highlands Country Club. Anyone who has worked with her over the years in her many business and civic pursuits is welcome to attend.
Retirement after 50 years
By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer There’ll be some sadness, no doubt, at the retirement party for Edna Fadden on Sept. 20 at the Bridgton Highlands Country Club. After 50 years of dedicated service to Chalmers Realty, Edna is retiring, at age 85 and a half. Above all, though, the party, from 5 to 7 p.m., is meant as a joyous celebration of a remarkable woman who dedicated 50 years of her life to Chalmers Realty, while raising four children and still finding time to serve on many local, regional and state organizations, earning many accolades along the way. For the past 20 years or so, she’s served as the agency’s Designated Broker and Manager, in charge of managing all of the agency’s other brokers. She is also vice president of Chalmers Realty, and has held many leadership positions on real estate boards at the regional, state and national level. “She’s like our mom. It’s going to be very sad. I like having mom around,” said one of the Chalmers realtors, Liz Marcella. “When you have a question, you can just pop in, and she always knows the answer. She’s a wealth of information to everybody.” Edna plans to keep her license for another two years, to be available to fill in for other brokers as a duty person during vacations and sick days. But her selling days are over. “I couldn’t do all the walking — I’m 85 and a half!” she exclaimed, her wit as quick as ever. Eileen Rounds, a 20-year Chalmers broker, will assume Edna’s management duties at the agency. “We want everyone to come (to the party) who’s worked with Edna over the years,” said Rounds. “She’s truly touched so many lives.” When Edna began working for Chalmers as a secretary on Sept. 16, 1963, the agency was a small threeperson office. She came at the behest of the late Herb Chalmers, who had turned his focus to selling boys and EDNA FADDEN, Page A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — What was supposed to govern public land is in ‘no man’s land.’ A business ordinance — which would control street vendors in the public rightsof-way and would require annual permits for businesses using those rights-of-way — now sits in limbo. For the time being, it is neither being enforced nor altered.
While the Town of Naples awaits an attorney’s review of the proposed amendments to the ordinance, a citizens’ petition is circulating. On Monday, the Naples Board of Selectmen tabled proposed amendments to the flawed ordinance. Also on Monday, a local resident and business owner, Karen Thompson, said that a petition was going around town to rescind the entire ordinance. That petition is worded so
that the matter would go to special town meeting, rather than being decided through secret ballot. Naples Town Manager Derik Goodine said, “By the time the citizens get the petition to rescind it, the board will have a corrected version.” “I’m not sure how this is going to play out,” he said. He predicted that residents might see multiple warrant articles — ones with the pro-
posed changes and another repealing the recently-adopted ordinance. “We need to make sure we don’t create an ordinance that has more problems,” Goodine said, referring to the board’s decision to table the issue. In the near future, the board will hold more workshops and follow up with public hearings to discuss changes to the ordinance, he said. NAPLES, Page A
New faces at local town offices ‘Raring to go’
‘It’s an honor’
By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer Gary Colello thinks he knows what gave him the edge in being chosen over 35 other applicants as Bridgton’s new Recreation Director. It was his emphasis on the importance of commu- GARY COLELLO is Bridgton’s new rec direcnication. (Geraghty Photo) That, and his willingness tor. to dive in and reorganize a department sorely in need of WHAT: Meet & Greet some competent leadership. WHO: New Bridgton In his first six weeks on Recreation Director Gary the job, Colello has worked Colello hard to organize records in WHEN: Wednesday, his office and establish a clear Sept. 18, 3 to 5:30 p.m. line of communication with WHERE: Bridgton the public via the Bridgton Community Center Recreation Facebook page. He’s spent time beefing up the Facebook page, meet- Center. The family event, ing as many recreation sup- with games and snacks, will porters in town as he can, be the community’s chance and hopes to meet many to bring their ideas, questions more during a special Meet and concerns to Colello. & Greet next Wednesday, He wants to hear it all, the Sept. 18, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. good and the bad. His goal, at the Bridgton Community GARY, Page A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — For someone in her early 20s, Kate Matthews has an old-timey habit. She likes to collect antiques. She is especially proud of the recent revamping of an antique she got for a steal of a deal. “I just refinished an old farmer’s table,” Matthews said. “It’s very long with a butcher block top and nice, sturdy legs. I purchased it for $17.50 at an auction. On-line on Craig’s List, it goes for
KATE MATTHEWS started her new job as Naples Town Secretary a month ago. (De Busk Photo) $600 or more,” she said. “I stained it to match some chairs I already have,” she said over a cup of coffee on Tuesday morning. Among her other favorite KATE, Page A
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