Chase leads to bust

An Arundel man faces a marijuana cultivation charge after a state trooper stumbled upon a growing operation following a motorcycle chase Saturday night.

Trooper Jeremy Forbes said the discovery occurred after he lost sight of the motorcycle he was attempting to pull over in Arundel for not having a rear light. Forbes said when he tried to pull the motorcycle over, it sped off. He then searched the area for the make and model of a similar vehicle.

Forbes found what he believed to be the motorcycle at 1043 Limerick Road around 9:30 p.m.

“It was a similar type of bike, I didn’t get a good look at the bike I was chasing. It was a similar type of bike so I was just checking,” Forbes said.

As he approached the house, Forbes realized the bike was not the same one he was chasing but said he could smell marijuana.

Zachary Dulac, the 39-year-old homeowner, agreed to submit to a search of the residence after volunteering he was growing marijuana inside, Forbes said. Dulac’s wife and three small children were at home during the search.

“He told me it was in the basement. He just said he had a few plants in the basement,” Forbes said.

Forbes found 164 plants in a basement marijuana growing operation and approximately a half-pound of processed marijuana.

Maine Drug Enforcements Agents were called to the scene to dismantle and seize plants and lights and other equipment valued at $1,000. 

Dulac was not arrested on the scene because of his cooperation with police, but instead turned himself in to Alfred law enforcement agents on Monday afternoon. He was charged with a felony charge of aggravated cultivation of marijuana and was given a summons to appear in court Aug. 25.

Dulac has been convicted of drug charges in the past, according to Forbes. In 1999 he was arrested for conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States.

The motorcycle Forbes was chasing was never found.

Board chairman steps aside

RSU 21 School Board Chairman Maureen King announced plans to not run again for chairmanship.

The board will elect a new chairman and vice chairman in July.

“My kids didn’t believe I was doing it but I am,” King said at Monday’s school board meeting.

King has served Kennebunkport as chairman of the RSU 21 school board since the formation of the new district comprised of Arundel and the former MSAD 71 made up of Kennebunkport and Kennebunk in 2009. She has represented Kennebunkport on the school boards since March 1999.

Building projects prioritized

RSU 21’s school board has a lot of plans for construction over the next few years.

Jim Smith of Kennebunk, facilities committee spokesman, said the committee has come up with a variety of options that deal with the construction needs of Consolidated School, Mildred L. Day School, Middle School of the Kennebunks and Kennebunk High School.

“For the elementary school options, we have narrowed it down to three options. We will present to the board a plan formally on Aug. 2,” Smith said.

Smith said the growing concerns of the old wing of the Kennebunk High School have taken priority over concerns about the aging elementary schools.

The high school is currently dealing with a leaking roof and structural issues, especially in its B wing. The original building was built in 1923, and according to a study done in 2004 the roof is well passed its lifespan.

– Compiled by Suzanne Hodgson