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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 148, No. 50
28 PAGES - 4 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
December 14, 2017
(USPS 065-020)
Weather . . . . . . . . . . . 2D
www.bridgton.com
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
Fresh street look, but is major problem brewing? By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer As civil engineer Colin Dinsmore talked about “bump outs” and clearer defined crosswalks as part of Bridgton’s proposed new streetscape, Selectman Bear Zaidman had a deeper concern. While planting more trees, installing new lighting and adding benches to enhance the downtown’s visual appeal may be another big step in Bridgton’s revitalization effort, Zaidman pointed out there is a brewing problem people don’t see but should be very weary of. Bridgton has a pollution problem, which Zaidman believes moves the proposed sewer expansion project at the top of the town’s “to do” list, ahead of streetscape. While final costs for both the streetscape and sewer projects remain unclear, selectmen will eventually decide whether to present the items either as one major project, which will require bonding (grants will also be sought) or break them into two proposals. Last Wednesday night, the public had a chance to hear Colin Dinsmore of HEB Engineers, as well as landscape architect Jeff Hyland of Ironwood of Newmarket, N.H., present an update regarding streetscape work.
Residents filled half of the Bridgton Community Center meeting room, and asked questions regarding parking along Main Street, as well as how the specialists would go about seeking more public input as plans are shaped. Questions ranged from type of tree that might be used (likely a variety, thus avoiding what happened to many communities that used solely Dutch Elms, which were cut down due to disease) to creative landscaping that addresses stormwater runoff. Some wondered if utilities could be buried, but that option could be too pricy. If the price is right, ideally the town would like to tackle both streetscape and sewer expansions at the same time. In fact, Public Works has held up improvements on some intown roads due to impending sewer line expansion. The goal would be to create just one big mess and address all issues at once. Brewing problem As Bridgton continues to grow, especially on the commercial front, the need to expand wastewater disposal is a necessity. The urgency level moved up a few more ticks as the result of some recent testing. Town officials hired an independent conPROJECTS, Page 2A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — A longtime golf business, one that was in existence at the turn of the WARM WELCOME TO TOY LAND — Volunteer Howard Summerford greeted local century, will be in the process of liquidating families, who stopped by the Bridgton Alliance Church last Thursday to pick up toys assets and closing or being bought out. for Christmas through the Toys for Tots program. (Rivet Photos) On Tuesday, the Naples Golf and Country Club (NGCC) announced the news about the company in a press release, saying that this decision was inevitable — given the past seasons’ revenue reduction and national trends indicating golf play is on the decline. NGCC is a private business, which has been owned by shareholders and has a board of trustees. On Monday night, the shareholders’ meeting was held. On Monday, the shareholders supported
the closure, voting “to close, liquidate and dissolve the corporation,” according to the press release. A few weeks before the meeting, the shareholders received a letter from the NGCC Board of Trustees recommending a move in that direction. The letter cited a reduction in golf-play revenues, which appears to be a national trend, as a solid reason for a recommendation to close and liquidate the company. “The decision for this recommendation was inevitable,” the press release said. “After many years of effort, investment and improvements, the financial viability of the golf course operation has not improved GOLF, Page 7A
Naples Golf to close, liquidate assets & sell
He has the holiday spirit Toys for Tots serves 230+ kids
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Howard Summerford knew the best way to get into the Christmas spirit was to help someone else. Wearing a Santa’s cap, Howard greeted moms and dads last Thursday morning as they ventured into the Bridgton Alliance Church’s vestry. To their delight, they saw tables lining all three walls, full of toys likely on their children’s wish lists. It was Toys for Tots pickup day. A 20-foot U-Haul
Revised sign ordinance includes residents’ wishes
AND...A GIFT FOR MOM TOO — Baskets with a variety of items were prepared as gifts for local moms. delivered the items, which were “packed right up to the back doors,” Howard said. “It was amazing,” Howard said. “It was a blessing. We could not get over how much
was in it.” The local church serves as a distribution point for the popular holiday program. Pastor Mike Zullo reported TOYS, Page 8A
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — In most respects, the contents of the proposed sign ordinance include what residents have requested. That’s because the Ordinance Review Committee has taken into account public comments and
Honesty, hard work pays off By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — Burpee Pond wasn’t born and raised in Naples — that’s his wife’s family, the Dillinghams, who during the depression sold tracts of their property which became Sebago Lake State Park. Pond was born in “Farmington, Maine. I am from a family of 14 kids, nine boys and five sisters.” Pond came to Naples in 1961 to invest in a business, one that he has owned and operated for 55 years, Naples Small Engine. “I bought the place in ‘62. I bought the garage. It was a CN Brown gas station,” he said. He learned about the business for sale while pumping gas in his hometown. In 1958, Pond graduated from high school in Farmington, and went into the military. After getting back from his service overseas, he looked for a job. It was 1961. “I wanted to be a State Trooper because of the military police. You had to know someone to get in. So, I was helping a friend in Farmington at a gas station, the Flying A. A guy said, ‘Why don’t you get your own gas station? You are doing a good job here.’ I said, ‘Where is one?’ He said, ‘Naples.’ ‘Naples, Italy,’ I said since I just got back from there,” Pond said. “I had never heard of Naples, Maine. I came and tried it out for a few days,” he said. “Two years after I came here, my brother Phil started to work with me,” he said. BURPEE, Page 3A
the town’s comp plan. The technology of digital signs has evolved. Currently, with the exception of the fire station’s LED-lighted sign, the other digital signs that are up and running are in the commercial district. Where will digital signs be acceptable and allowable? “That is what the town is struggling with. We hear people say, ‘We want to preserve the antique feel in the Village District,’” according to Naples Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) Renee Carter. “They want the town to have that New England feel,” she said, adding the goal of the proposed sign ordinance is to maintain that New England appearance throughout different districts of town. People have not made complaints to the CEO about the digital signs located along Route 302. That is the commercial district. The Village District is Route 35 to the Naples Fire and Rescue Department and also part of Route 114 and Lakehouse Road. “As you get closer to the Village and the Causeway” that is where people would like limits on digital signs. “People are saying they don’t want illumination
across the water,” Carter said. Since the sign ordinance was seen and discussed during a joint meeting of the ORC, the Naples Board of Selectmen and the Naples Planning Board, the ORC has met three more times, Carter said. The proposed sign ordinance should be finalized and edited in the next few months, she said. “We hope to have it wrapped up by January,” she said. Most likely, it will be a warrant article at the annual town meeting. Definitely, there will be public hearing prior to that. Plus, there is another joint meeting on the horizon. The ORC members “are still talking about sizes and how much lighting we want,” Carter said. “The goal is not to splash the sky with colored lights,” she said. Regarding signs for multiple businesses like in the case of the newly-built Lakes Plaza, 64 feet is the allowable size of the sign. Single businesses are each allowed a 32-foot sign. “Kevin Gagnon owns Lakes Plaza. He has been SIGN, Page 8A
The Bridgton News Established 1870
LOVE AND HARD WORK — Burpee Pond and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 53 years. In their 70s, they continue to put in a work week at Naples Small Engine. (De Busk Photo)
P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2851 Fax: 207-647-5001 bnews@roadrunner.com