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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870 Vol. 150, No. 42
20 PAGES - 2 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
October 21, 2021
Legal Notices . . . . . . . 2B
www.bridgton.com
(USPS 065-020)
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Success! Maine 4-H Foundation lands Lantern
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer From first to eighth grade, Frank Howell walked from his family home on Pleasant Street down to Depot Street to school each day. He always felt the area could be so much more. “The Magic Lantern was a slum and blight spot when we started. We demolished it when we built our new R&D Center back in 2005-06. It
was frustrating to our family that this area wasn’t meeting its potential. It’s the geographic center of the town,” Howell said. “The community stepped forward and fully backed our request for a TIFF, enabling us to build this wonderful facility. We wanted to build something that was a symbol of pride.” The Howell Family and Snapdragon LLC built one of Maine’s premium movie
houses, and this week, the jewel of downtown became a little shinier. After a lengthy fundraising drive and through the generosity of the Howell Family, the Magic Lantern has been sold to Maine 4-H Foundation to be the future home of the Innovation Lab and Learning Center. “As much as we love the town and the Magic Lantern, the time has come
for our family to do other things, to move on and do other projects. The idea to develop and Innovation Lab and Learning Center is outstanding,” Howell said. “The theater sits empty for hours every day. We built the facility with live performance and lecture stages with the idea it would be an asset to the town to bring in events. It’s been underutilized. The Innovation Lab and Learning Center is a
great idea.” Susan Jennings, Maine 4-Foundation executive director, credits the Howell Family for making this next chapter in the theater’s story possible. “We certainly want to make the public aware of the Howell Family and Snapdragon, LLC’s gift. This is huge. This is the biggest donation that the Maine 4-H Foundation has ever
Who will answer call?
‘Hazard’ buildings hearing By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — There are a few buildings in the Town of Casco that are so dilapidated, they have become a potential hazard to the public. While public safety is foremost on the minds of the local selectmen, it is a long, drawn-out process that must happen before the hazard can be eliminated. The Casco Board of Selectmen on Tuesday evening took another step toward the process of disposing of the hazardous buildings. The board voted, 4-0, to schedule a public hearing for two dangerous buildings on Nov. 30, which is a Tuesday. The hearing will be held durBUILDING, Page 2A
received,” Jennings said. The fundraising target was $4 million. The Howell Family made a $2.97 million donation, leaving the remainder for Maine 4-H Foundation to raise. “We took a risk moving forward because COVID put such a damper on our fundraising. Our other Learning Centers needed support, too. They had to close their doors LANTERN, Page 3A
MUSIC IN THE AIR and hula-hoops were gyrating Saturday night at the second Music on Main event. Performers included B. Positive (above) and Nettie Loops. This Saturday’s line-up features Midnight Breakfast and Mariah Sunday. The performances are free, from 6 to 9 p.m. at 144 Main Street in Bridgton. Bring a chair! (Rivet Photos)
Harrison PW overdue for major facelift By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer HARRISON — Over the past few years, Harrison has tackled several infrastructure improvement projects. First came taking out a bond to address miles upon miles of new road pavement. Then came conversion of an old garage area into a spacious and much needed office for Code Enforcement. Now, the next project on the “To Do List” appears to be the outdated Public Works garage on Edes Falls Road. After looking at possibly constructing a new facility on town-owned property adjacent to the RADR complex on Route 117, PW Director Randy Gazza and Town Manager Tim Pellerin circled back and look to keep the department in the “center” of Harrison. A conceptual design
NEXT ON THE LIST of infrastructure improvements for the Town of Harrison could be a $3.4 million facelift at the Public Works Department. Due was presented to the Select to retire the road bond this Board, showing what a coming February, Harrison new facility might look like is in position to switch from and how it would be posi- one payment to a slightly tioned on the existing PW lower one (thus no tax hike lot. The new facility would expected), if voters approve likely carry a pricetag of the project. $3.4 million. Pellerin noted One key will be public that with the town ready education regarding the
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Share the warmth. Share the savings. Some members of the Casco Planning Board suggested that the town’s selectmen pass a moratorium on solar energy. The idea was that the town should benefit from parcels being used as solar energy farms. After all, there are elderly residents on fixed incomes who could use help with rising electric bills, planning board member Stan Buchanan said. “I am all for renewable energy. But I want to make sure the Town of Casco receives something for scarring our landscape. That is not a thing of beauty — to see a large array. I am not against it. Don’t get me wrong,” Buchanan said. “What’s in it for Casco? Are we going to reap the benefits?”
THIS SAME STYLE of solar array tracker, shown here at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, is being proposed on 35 acres more than 100 feet off Meadow Road (Route 121) in Casco. On Monday, the Casco Planning Board tabled the proposed solar project pending more information. (De Busk Photo) Planning Board mem- going to the town. We had ber Potter said that Town this thought on a previous Attorney Natalie Burns solar power project that came should be consulted to check before us. I do believe that “about a percentage of power we should get some kind of
NAPLES — Recently, Naples Fire and Rescue Department raised its pay to get new employees as well as to keep the ones they have. Unfortunately, neither of the candidates panned out. “There were two applicants. One did not have his COVID vaccination, and the other hasn’t returned our calls,” Assistant Chief Lucien Gendron said. “We are at the point we are going to sink pretty quickly,” he said. On Wednesday, Oct. 20, the Naples Board of Selectmen will hold a workshop to discuss emergency medical services. The workshop starts at 6 p.m. at the Naples Town Hall. Selectman Robert “Bob” Caron II said there needs to be a solution to get the proper coverage at the Naples Fire and Rescue Department. “I hear the ambulance every time it goes by my property and I say hopefully they get there in time to help the person,” he said. “Other communities that are much larger than us cannot retain the people. What are we going to do to NAPLES, Page 2A
Cost for a deputy
to space limitations, the town currently has vehicles parked outdoors. A new facility would get the vehicles and equipment under cover. (Rivet Photos) need for a new facility. The open to both in-person as town plans to create a video, well as virtual), with likely a outlining the current facil- target to hold a special town ity’s deficiencies and will meeting in early March. By Dawn De Busk place it on the town webPellerin said the town’s Staff Writer site for review. Also, public current Capital Reserve CASCO — Elected offihearings will be held next account is $2,578,399, of month (the first set for Nov. which some money could cials in Casco heard for the first time the cost of hir18 at 5:30 p.m., and will be HARRISON, Page 4A ing a full-time deputy from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). Town Manager Anthony “Tony” Ward read the numpower to us in some way.” The proposed project is off bers to the Casco Board of Potter later mentioned a Meadow Road (Route 121) Selectmen on Oct. 5. The moratorium until something after the junction of Route 11. item was not on the agenda was put in place that assured The solar farm would start during the selectmen’s most benefits to the town. about 60 to 100 feet from the recent meeting, which was A moratorium would stop road, leaving forested land as Monday. The total cost would be any future applications from a buffer between the installabeing approved until such tion and the road. Thirty-five $226,332 for year one, Ward time the town came up with acres would be the size of said on Oct. 5. That is because the cost an ordinance governing solar the farm. energy projects. Basically, the board of a new vehicle for $88,800 However, the plan- requested a more detailed is factored in the first year’s ning board made no formal map which showed the dis- expenses, he said. In addirequest of the Casco Board tance of the solar energy tion to a price of the cruiser, of Selectmen to pass a mora- equipment from the roads which is $39,500, there is torium on solar energy. In and the distance from the required equipment such as fact, it is highly unlikely that abutting properties. Another the car camera and a taser SOLAR, Page 2A DEPUTY, Page 3A a moratorium would be supported. On Monday, the planning board tabled the solar energy project site plan preEstablished 1870 sented by representatives P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. from Longroad Energy, Bridgton, ME 04009 which is based in Boston and 207-647-2851 also has offices in Portland, Fax: 207-647-5001 and Stantech Consulting bnews@roadrunner.com Services, Inc.
Solar moratorium suggested, unlikely
The Bridgton News