Bn41 101316

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Testing the waters

Battling for position

Inside News

Zoe Silvia, a junior at Baxter Academy, will be a BN intern this school year

Raiders win their third straight football game; teams still in playoff hunt

Calendar . . . . . . . 3B,5B

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Classifieds . . . . . . 4D,5D Country Living . . . 1B-6B

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Directory . . . . . . . . . . 5D Obituaries . . . . . . 2D-3D Opinions . . . . . . . 1D-6D Police/Court . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . 1C-8C Student News . . . . . . . . Games . . . . . . . . . . . . 5C

Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 147, No. 41

28 PAGES - 4 Sections

Bridgton, Maine

October 13, 2016

(USPS 065-020)

Weather . . . . . . . . . . . 2B

www.bridgton.com

SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

Fire chief honored for 11 years of service By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer For the past 11 years, Glenn Garland has answered the call to duty. He answered his final call as Bridgton’s fire chief on Thursday, Sept. 29. Selectmen honored Garland for his service and dedication to firefighting at the start of Tuesday’s board meeting. Chairman Greg Watkins spoke of Garland’s knowledge, leadership and his ability to bring people together. “Glenn Garland is an example of a public servant who has selflessly contributed to Bridgton through years of hard work, experience and dependability,” Watkins said. “Countless times, he has put himself in harm’s way in order to protect others.” Watkins said Garland strengthened the Bridgton Fire Department with his leadership and successfully guided the group through the “tedious transition of local to county dispatching services.” He was instrumental in the creation

and implementation of both the Fire Protection Ordinance and the position of fire inspector. Garland also led the move to restructure the department’s leadership and duties. “His fostering of camaraderie has led to a group of brothers and sisters on the department that respect him and admire him,” Watkins added. Watkins cited comments made about Garland by fellow firefighters on social media: “Many know that volunteer firefighters are dedicated and hardworking. Over the past 11 years, Chief Glenn Garland has built a great team. He has shown us that teamwork, respect and trust is what makes a department function to its fullest potential. With that being said, as he is relinquishing his position, we sincerely want to thank Chief Garland for his contributions to the Bridgton community and to our department.” Watkins concluded, “In reading the comments and well wishes to Glenn as he opens

Election 2016

Challenger Rich Cebra

Incumbent Christine Powers

House District #68

Towns: Baldwin, Cornish, Naples, Parsonsfield (part of), Sebago Editor’s note: The News begins its Election 2016 coverage this week with these races. Other area races will appear in upcoming editions. Candidate responses are arranged in alphabetical order. Incumbent: Christine Powers, D-Naples Challenger: Rich Cebra Candidate Bio Cebra: I am Rich Cebra. I am happily married for the last 25 years to my wife, Philippa. We have two great kids and a grandson. Ian, our son, who is 24 and is married to Sarah, served in the U.S. Navy, and is currently a private military contractor. They have a little boy, Teddy, my grandson. Rachel, our daughter, who is 20, is a student and works with the intellectually- and developmentally-disabled. I am currently enrolled at Liberty University as a full-time student studying for my degree in Religion and Theology. For the last 16 years, Philippa and I have been the owners of a tourism-based seasonal business in Naples. HD #68, Page 8A

Challenger Rachel Lyn Rumson

Incumbent Susan Austin

House District #67

Towns: Casco (part of), Frye Island, Gray (part of), Raymond (part of) Incumbent: Susan Austin, R-Gray Challenger: Rachel Lyn Rumson Candidate Bio Austin: Associate Degree in Science; past community-elected leadership Gray-New Gloucester School Board, Gray Town Council, Pineland Campus Conversion Committee; Worked with Marden’s, Inc. Present Civic Organizations: Crystal Lake Association Gray-New Gloucester; Ambassador Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby; Director Liberty Family Foundation; Maine Wildlife Park advocate; Gray-New Gloucester Summer Meal’s Program; St. Gregory’s Church member/Eucharistic Minister. Interests: Personal fitness/walking program; recycling/ reuse interests. Married: Ernie Austin, four children, 11 grandchildren Maine State House of Representatives 2002–2010 and HD #67, Page 7A

a new chapter of his life, it quickly became apparent that being a Bridgton firefighter or fire chief was not just a ‘job’ for him, but was a true interest and passion. For this and for his years of service, dedication and leadership, he deserves our respect and our gratitude.” After being presented a crystal bowl, Garland thanked officials for the honor and extended his appreciation of the support shown by his fellow firefighters. At their last meeting, selectmen approved Todd Perreault as interim fire chief. Seeking a Seat: Four candidates are seeking to fill a vacant seat on the board of selectmen. Those looking to replace Paul Hoyt are Jeffrey S. Jones, Robert P. Murphy, Philip M. Tarr and Arthur D. Triglione Sr. The term expires June 2017. Also on the local ballot are two referendum questions (by citizen’s petition): Q1. Prohibits consumer fireworks use (does not include fireworks displays, such as the town’s Fourth of July event, approved by the State Fire

Marshal). Q2. Should the Bridgton Farmers’ Market be allowed to set up on the Depot Street green beginning May 2017? Renewal still on table: Selectmen again tabled action on a renewal of a automotive graveyard/junkyard license to Powerhouse Salvage Sales (located at 11 Powerhouse Road) until their Nov. 8 meeting. Powerhouse Salvage’s permit expired Oct. 1. Code Enforcement Officer Robbie Baker told selectmen he has been unsuccessful in setting up an inspection of the site with owner Paul Gallinari. “I’ve tried a couple of times knocking on doors but have been unable to reach him (Gallinari),” Baker said. At the Sept. 27 meeting, selectmen heard concerns expressed by resident David Martin regarding whether Powerhouse Salvage and Ovide’s Used Cars were in compliance with state laws. Martin also questioned whether Powerhouse Salvage was actually being operated as a

THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE — Fire Chief Glen Garland was honored by the Bridgton Selectmen Tuesday night for his service. Garland has stepped down as chief.

opposed, feeling both requests “salvage” yard. Selectmen approved should be tabled until the Ovide’s license renewal by CEO inspected both busia 4–1 vote (Paul Hoyt was NOTES, Page 3A

Manager: No pay raises given By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — There has been a rumor going around that during a recent executive session of the Naples Board of Selectmen, Naples Recreation Director Harvey Price was given a pay raise and ordered to go to classes on how to deal with the public more diplomatically. It appears to be just a rumor. On Oct. 3, the board adjourned its regular meeting and went into executive session to discuss only the duties and assignment of the recreation director. On that evening, the board did reconvene its regular meeting after an executive session that lasted roughly a half-hour, according to Naples Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak. This is not evident in the Lake Region Television (LRTV) recording since

LRTV had “gone off the air,” Paraschak said. Secretary Kate Matthews has a copy of the selectmen’s vote after the executive session, he said. “No pay raises were given to any employee at the last selectmen’s meeting nor were any proposed,” Paraschak said on Tuesday. “I cannot speak to any disciplinary action at this time without violating public employee laws,” he said. “Performance and/or discipline of the recreation director were not discussed nor were they a part of the executive session.” “The board went into executive session at 8:06 p.m. I don’t know when the public left exactly but the executive session probably didn’t really start until at least 10 to 15 minutes later once people had cleared out, gone to the bathroom, etc.,” Paraschak said. The closed door session

was wrapped up at 8:45 p.m., and it took the board about a minute to make its motion and vote on it, according to Paraschak. Chairman “Bob Caron II made a motion for the following three items: 1.) Direct the town manager to review the assignments and duties of the recreation director and bring forward to the board for review and approval; 2.) to have the town manager forward all past recreation committee meeting minutes to the board for review; and 3.) to have the town manager work with the board to reenergize the Naples Property Use Committee to review the ordinances and policies of all town properties open to the public,” Paraschak said. Selectman Dana Watson seconded the motion. The board voted in favor, 4–0. Selectman Rich Cebra was absent from the Oct. 3 meeting. “The board went into

executive session to discuss the matter that was indicated in the motion citation and that is why it was worded the way it was,” Paraschak said. During the meeting, Paraschak had said that the town attorney advised the board to cite personnel “duties and assignments” as the reason for going into executive session. The rules of executive session were publicly discussed during the meeting on Oct. 3. At one point, Selectman Christine Powers read through the list of valid reasons for entering into executive session. Still, some Naples residents who lingered after the meeting had been adjourned said that discipline should have been included in the executive session discussion between the board and Price. Instead, the focus was on the assignments and duties of SESSION, Page 3A

Town unable to help with removal

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — A dozen residents of Webbs Mills Village brought forward concerns about a foreclosed home with hazardous pine trees. The home is located on Route 11 on the Pine Hill Road side. The uninhabited building is kitty-corner from the Plummer Memorial Park, a small, wetlands park with a gazebo for the public. The Webbs Mills Village residents asked if the town could purchase the property and then have the structure demolished. The citizens brought their request — and a signed petition — to the Casco Board of Selectmen on Tuesday. Ultimately, the board decided not to use taxpayers’ money to buy the property. The board was not open to the idea of using dangerous building funds to raze the house. However, the latter solution might be palatable if the homeowners provided the majority of the funding for the cost of demolishing the building. Lastly, the town’s code enforcement officer will inspect the building; and if the condition of the structure poses a hazard, the new owners can be requested to fix that.

FORECLOSED HOME WORRIES RESIDENTS in Webbs Mills Village. The Town of Casco cannot help with the purchase or razing of this structure. However, the Casco Code Enforcement Officer will inspect the home and pine trees to determine if there is a safety or health issue. (De Busk Photo) The biggest hurdle for the board assisting the Webbs Mills Village residents is that the property is being foreclosed on by the lending institution, and not through the tax lien process. This apprehension was expressed by Chairman Holly HOUSE, Page 3A

The Bridgton News Established 1870

P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2851 Fax: 207-647-5001 bnews@roadrunner.com


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