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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 147, No. 51
24 PAGES - 4 Sections
Bridgton, Maine
December 22, 2016
(USPS 065-020)
www.bridgton.com
SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS
Woman struck, killed while walking
CASCO — A walk along Route 302 Sunday evening proved deadly. Lorna Nugent, 56, of Casco was struck and killed in a hit-and-run collision at about 6:20 p.m., near Varney Road. Within 24 hours of the fatality, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jeffrey Eugene Smith, 28, of Sebago and charged him with leaving the scene of a personal injury
accident resulting in death (a Class C crime). Investigators continue to try to piece together happenings prior to Nugent being struck along a stretch of road, which has few homes or businesses on either side of the major route that is posted at 50 mph. Conflicting stories have surfaced about why Nugent had left the home of a friend, whom the couple were visiting. Police say she was wearing dark clothing,
and officials believe she was struck by the vehicle as it traveled west. Nugent, who previously resided in Milo, moved to Casco about 18 months ago to live with her boyfriend. Police say the driver fled the crash scene in what initially was believed to be a 2001 to 2005 Volkswagen Passat. Police sought the public’s assistance in trying to locate the vehicle, which had sustained significant
front-end damage. Police did receive a tip, and by 3:15 p.m. Monday, the vehicle had been located, although investigators did not reveal where the car was found. At 4:15, sheriff’s deputies and probation and parole officials arrested Smith, whose address was Intervale Street in Sebago. He was transported to the Cumberland County Jail. Probation and parole officials were involved because
Smith had been convicted in 2015 for felony theft and felony domestic violence threatening, according to the Maine Department of Corrections. He was sentenced to 18 months with all but 60 days suspended on both counts and was ordered to serve two years probation following his release. Investigators were back at the crash scene Monday to take additional measurements.
Charged Jeffrey Smith of Sebago
Grange Hall fate discussed
SHARING SOME JOY WITH THE COMMUNITY — Little ones and others enjoyed snacks, pizza, Christmas music and plenty of cheer at the annual Tony’s Foodland Family Night last Thursday evening. Even Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by to share holiday spirit with the Lake Region community. More photos on Page 6B. (De Busk Photo)
Pastors put spotlight on ‘meaning’ By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer As the countdown to Christmas Day clicks away, it is difficult for most people to not get caught up in the long checklist that includes putting up decorations, finding the perfect tree, buying gifts, mailing off some of those gifts, baking traditional sweets and making appearances at various holiday parties. Amid the hectic atmosphere that proceeds Christmas, there are ways that people can tune into the true essence of the season — celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. A couple pastors from different churches in the region weighed in on the true mean-
ing of Christmas. “The origins of Christmas, of course, lie in the early Christian church celebrating the birth of Jesus,” said Rev. Nancy Foran with the Raymond Village Church United Church of Christ. “However, Christmas does not lie in simply remembering a long ago historical event but rather in the truth behind that event,” she said. “For Christians, that means celebrating the birth of God’s dream for the world, which we believe is embodied in the life and ministry of Jesus.” “Christmas is about all the things that Jesus stood for — compassion, economic and social justice, caring for the poor and marginalized —
and believing in the personal transformation that is possible for all of us because of him,” Foran said. Rev. Garret Meuser, with Casco Alliance Church, said the answer is in the message from the angel that appeared to the shepherds. “If you look at the Christmas story, it is interesting as the angel appears to different people to tell them what is going on,” Meuser said. “An angel appears to Jesus’ mother Mary. He tells her she is going to have a child, not by man but the Holy Spirit is going to place himself inside her. Then, the angel speaks to Joseph to explain what is happening. He tells him, ‘Don’t worry, this is from God. This
By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — The fate of the Casco Grange Hall is not set in stone. There are several options for handling the future of the building, which has structural issues that will only worsen. Those options will fall in the hands of voters at the Casco Town Meeting more than six months away. A town meeting vote is required because the Town of Casco owns the Grange Hall. Currently, the Head Start Program leases the ground floor. The Grange Hall has been a topic of discussion for the Casco Board of Selectmen since repairs such as a furnace replacement were put on the budget last spring. The other renovations necessary to keep it from falling into utter disrepair are costly. The options boil down to: The town could retain the building and spend money on repairs; the town could have the building razed and keep the greenspace; or the town could sell the home but the buyer could only rebuild a singlefamily unit. Although some in the community like the idea of the Grange Hall being developed into a business, the lot does not support commercial development. During a board meeting earlier this month, Selectman Mary Fernandes summed it
son who is going to be born will save his people from their sins,” he said. “Then, the angel appears to the shepherds and there are a couple different things the angel says to them that are wrapped up in Christmas. ‘Glory to God. Peace on earth. Goodwill to men,’ ” he said. “That tells us the purpose of Jesus being born — that God wants to have a relationship with mankind,” Meuser said. “The Christmas message is that God is coming into the world as a human to save us from our sins so we could have a relationship with him. By Dawn De Busk There is a sequence there,” Staff Writer he said. CASCO — The new MEANING, Page 6A Casco Town Hall…it is a building that could last 50 years. It most likely will be the place of town business for two new generations of Casco residents. For the next 50 years, it will be the place where a teen’s first vehicle is registered, where couples fill out a wedding license application, where people buy their hunting license, where folks finish an errand and take time to say hello to the town employees they know. The 4,800-square foot building was built for Maine weather with a New England colonial exterior that blends with the surroundings. The building was built by people who own businesses
Town Hall project: A source of pride
Wreaths escort touches officer
By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer As a police officer, Nick D’Ascanio has seen the worst side of some people. Recently, he also had a chance to experience that both patriotism and the holiday spirit are alive and well in this country. The Lake Region grad from South Casco was one of several Maine law enforcement officers to take part in the annual Wreaths Across America project. What began in 1992 with a trailer-load of wreaths, decorated by volunteers and laid at the graves of fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery has now become a national organization with over 1,100 participating locations — all focused on the mission to: Remember the fallen; Honor those who serve; Teach our children the value PROJECT LEFT A STRONG IMPRESSION — Serving as an escort for the Maine of freedom. Wreaths Across America project, South Portland Police Officer Nick D’Ascanio, who WREATHS, Page 3A grew up in South Casco, proved to be a life-changing experience.
up by reading the written recommendation provided to the board by Code Enforcement Officer Alex Sirois. “I’ll just read the last paragraph for purposes of recording,” Fernandes began. “Zoning aside, the engineer’s inspection report is impossible to ignore. For any use of the existing building to continue, a serious amount of money will need to be spent on correcting the existing deficiencies. In my opinion, that plus the complicated size and location of the structure will likely make the lot very difficult to develop. The board should consider options such as retaining the property as greenspace or selling it to an abutter.” Casco Town Manager Dave Morton said that Sirois was referring to the difficulty of getting a site plan review through with the planning board. “The septic and well would follow the property,” he said, referring to easements granted by neighboring property-owners. “Storm Water runoff — there is not enough on the property to deal with that and (there is) not enough room on the property for parking,” he said. The lot would only be suitable for a single-family home because the septic system is not large enough for use as a multifamily home or business, Morton said. “While Alex isn’t saying it isn’t possible, it would be very GRANGE, Page 2A
in the community. “Local contractors, most of them gave us a good deal, because the town hall was a source of pride for them,” said Casco Town Manager Dave Morton. For this construction project, the town acted in the role of the general contractor, which provided some room for negotiation versus the bid process. “We would get multiple prices (on different aspects of the construction.) We did not take the regular approach of taking the lowest bid,” Morton said. “Instead, we focused on keeping the work as local as possible.” “All the subcontractors were great,” he said. So, when it came time to hold an open house to showcase the new town hall, all of TOWN HALL, Page 2A
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