Staff Writer
Kennebunkport officials gave residents the OK to toss recyclables, including paper, aluminum, glass and plastics, in the same blue bin.
Recycle bins will be emptied by Oceanside Rubbish and transferred to Scarborough-based FCR Goodman, whose parent company is Casella Waste Systems of Burlington, Vt.
“Some people can’t believe they don’t have to sort their recyclables anymore,” Oceanside Rubbish, Inc Vice President and General Manager Carl Ekstedt said. “Technology has come so far, we can sort and recycle all of it.”
Kennebunkport Town Manager Larry Mead said the town’s $186,000 contract with Oceanside Rubbish, Inc. includes $150,000 for the disposal of trash at Maine Energy Recovery Company and $36,000 for the recycling service.
The town also has a contract to pay Maine Energy, also a subsidiary of Casella Waste Systems, $62 per ton for tipping fees, the fee charged per ton to offload rubbish at Maine Energy, he said.
In fiscal year 2006/2007, the town paid a total of $164,000 in tipping fees to Maine Energy, Mead said.
He said this year Kennebunkport budgeted $198,000 for tipping fees and the pending budget calls for $202,000.
“The savings to the town will come through reduced tipping fees,” Mead said. “Every ton we can avoid (collecting) will save money,” he said, noting glass and stacks of paper are heavy and contribute to the weight of trash.
He said the recycling effort was initiated by the states fines and incentives programs meant to encourage municipalities to meet certain goals.
“Going green caught on and now most people want to reduce their carbon footprint,” Mead said.
Mead, who lives in Scarborough, said he could attest to the single stream method of recycling.
“We have automated recycling pickup and I easily doubled, if not tripled what I recycle,” Mead said.
He said while automated recycling pickup in Kennebunkport would not be cost effective because of the communities small population of about 4,000 year-round residents, he said not having to sort recyclables makes it easy for residents to recycle.
“We used to have all kinds of rules like tying up bundles of newspaper and cardboard,” Mead said. “You don’t have to do that anymore. Just toss it in the bin.”
Ekstedt said Oceanside Rubbish has seen an increase in the amount of recyclables collected in the past few weeks since single stream pick up began.
“People have latched onto the idea,” he said. “The value in single stream is to increase the ease of recycling.”
He said Oceanside Rubbish would pick up trash and recyclables in two different compactor trucks, although he said the trucks would look the same.
“The truck that picks up trash will take the trash to Maine Energy,” he said. “The truck that picks up recyclables will take them to FCR Goodman.”
Ekstedt said because the recycle pickup is not automated, it is up to households to determine what size recyclables container in necessary for their household size.
]]>Staff Writer
Officials at the Maine Healthy Beach Program are preparing for their sixth summer testing the waters at beaches throughout the state and need volunteers to help with the effort.
Southern Maine Field Coordinator Sarah Mosley said volunteers test beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day for enterococci bacteria, which is water borne and can cause illness. The program is funded by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency and is overseen by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
“We test public beaches from Kittery up to Acadia,” she said, adding that when the program began in 2002 only two towns participated. Now, 24 towns and 57 beach management areas have joined the program.
Mosely said the most common sources of disease-causing microorganisms are from sewage overflows, polluted storm water runoff, sewage treatment plant malfunction, boating waste and septic systems. She said polluted water is more common during and after rainstorms because water draining into the beach may be carrying pollutants from overflowing treatment systems, runoff from lawns, farms, streets and construction sites.
She also said it could be related to wildlife or animal waste.
“There’s so much it can be related to,” she said.
Mosely said volunteers do additional study work at beaches where a high level of contamination is found.
“We go up into the watershed and do a survey of the area to see where there might be potential sources and then we work with the town to remediate the problem,” she said. Additional study work was performed at Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport two summers ago. Volunteers have also done additional work at Willard Beach in South Portland and the Kennebunk River, which affects Goose Rocks Beach.
She said work continues on the Kennebunk River because it is a large watershed.
“It’s one of the beaches that has more problems. We’re trying to figure out what’s going on,” she said.
More than 200 volunteers tested Maine waters for bacteria last year. Mosely said testing is performed once a week, usually on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning, because results would be returned to the beach manager before the weekend when usage is highest. She said testing isn’t conducted during the winter because of the cold and because the organization gets a better reading during the summer.
“We’re looking out for the health of recreational beach goers. A lot of places have a tourist influx so we like to get the worst case scenario when there’s the highest population,” she said.
Old Orchard Beach Fire Chief John Glass is the beach manager for the town’s beaches, meaning he is one of the first contacts when bacteria is found. He said if bacteria levels come back high, he would post an advisory at the beach warning beach goers that they could become ill if they go in the water.
Old Orchard Beach has been part of the program since the beginning and advisories have been posted twice, Glass said.
“A lot of people panic, they think the whole beach is closed but it’s usually just one small area,” he said, adding that the tides at Old Orchard Beach are strong enough to clean the shore well.
Glass said if bacteria levels were unusually high, he would close the beach, patrolling the coastline and discouraging people from going in the water.
Mosely said if someone is infected with the bacteria they generally have symptoms related to the ear, nose or throat, the digestive system or have rashes.
The public can visit the organization’s Web site, www.mainehealthybeaches.org, and view possible advisories or closures at their preferred beach. They can also view sample information.
A volunteer training session is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m., May 21 at the Wells Reserve. The training includes a program update, review of equipment and forms as well as water sampling at a local beach. Volunteers are asked to dress appropriately as samples are taken from water waist deep. To sign up call 888-769-1036 or email smosley@umext.maine.edu.
]]>Staff Writer
Kennebunk residents who kept their eye on the sky brought umbrellas to the annual May Day celebration as others ducked into doorways or sat in their car waiting for the rain to let up.
Kennebunk’s 10th annual celebration on May 3 included activities for all ages, from face painting to fresh produce, but the rain kept many visitors at bay.
The “Faces of the Kennebunks” art exhibit was displayed for the last time and live music provided by Kennebunk River Band, entertained the occasional passerby.
Lobster rolls were available for lunch at Christ Church, while festival staples such as popcorn, cotton candy and fried dough could be bought at various locations throughout downtown Kennebunk.
However, BBQ Bob’s Owner Bob Walsh, who has served up hot dogs, hamburgers and French fries for the past nine years, said the rain was putting a damper on the festivities.
“Last year was perfect and so was the year before,” Walsh said. “One year we had to cancel the whole thing, but this is Maine.”
Although the sidewalks were nearly void of people before the 2 p.m. parade, residents lined the streets just as it kicked off.
As a man on stilts teetered by, 4-year-old Kennebunk resident Leo Kavanagh’s mouth dropped open. Kavanagh was one of the many children who dashed off the curb into the street to collect hard candy thrown by parade participants.
Liis Nigol, of Kennebunk, brought her niece Lisa Forst visiting from New York to the celebration.
Forst’s 6-year-old daughter Allison Forst said she had fun despite the rain, adding she liked the “Mad Science stuff” best.
“I think it’s great people come out even in the rain,” Nigol said.
In previous years, storeowners in the downtown area organized the May Day festivities, however this year, the Kennebunk Downtown Committee took over those responsibilities.
“All in all, I think a good time was had by those who came out,” May Day Subcommittee Chairman Charlie Galloway said.
He said some of the activities such as the rock wall had to be canceled due to safety issues because of the rain.
“The parade was shorter than we would have liked,” Galloway said, adding the rain prevented some people from participating.
He said the Shriners were unable to march in the parade and owners of antique cars also opted out at the very last minute.
He said the committee is pleased with the turnout and said the May Day celebration would “definitely” take place next year.
He said volunteers helped throughout the celebration, including clean up after the parade.
“By 3:30, the street was cleaned up and you couldn’t tell there had been a parade,” he said.
]]>By Molly Lovell
Staff Writer
By now, most people are aware Maine has tightened the seatbelt law to make failing to buckle up a reason to get pulled over.
Maine Bureau of Highway Safety DirectorLauren Stewart said for a number of years the seatbelt law was considered a secondary violation, meaning law enforcement officials had to pull a motorist over for something else in order to cite them for a seatbelt violation.
Last September the Legislature passed the primary seatbelt law and as of April 1, it became legal for local law enforcement officials to ticket those who don’t click it.
Lt. Nick Higgins of the Kennebunk Police Department said it’s too early to notice any trends or track statistics regarding the new law. For the first six months of the law the state instituted a grace period in which law enforcement officials could only warn violators if pulled over. The April 1 deadline allowed officers to ticket drivers not wearing their seatbelts, but Higgins said in most cases, officers are hoping to enforce voluntary compliance by issuing warnings. Whether or not they ticket a person depends on several factors, including prior history, he said.
“It’s certainly a safety priority,” he said of the law. “In any given officer’s years of experience, we’ve certainly seen accidents where there was serious injury when seatbelts weren’t worn. We’ve also seen accidents that appear very bad and the occupants walked away with little or minor injuries because they did wear a seatbelt.”
Scarborough Police Chief Robert Moulton said the department hasn’t gathered firm numbers in terms of violations before and after the law, but said the public seems to be taking it seriously.
“I’ve heard a number of folks comment about it and the fact that they’re trying to be more diligent,” he said.
In terms of people who might not have regularly worn their seatbelts before, Moulton attributed that to bad habit.
“It’s something that wasn’t really pressed as an issue years ago and people I think maybe grew up not using them all the time,” he said.
Moulton said the department hasn’t conducted any special seatbelt details, calling the law, “another tool in the toolbox.”
When asked how easy it is for an officer to determine whether a motorist is wearing their seatbelt or not, Moulton compared it to spying an expired tag on a license plate.
“It’s one of those things you become accustomed to, you do it almost unconsciously,” he said.
Lt. Tim DeLuca of the Old Orchard Beach Police Department said from Jan. 1 to March 31, the department logged 722 traffic stops, 31 of which were seatbelt violations. From April 1 to April 22, officers conducted 289 stops with 92 seatbelt violations.
“As a department, we felt very strongly that motorists should be wearing seatbelts. With tourist season and the onset of April 1, we decided to take strong enforcement to seatbelt violations,” DeLuca said, adding that the department has conducted several traffic details designed especially for seatbelt violators.
“The general public has been very receptive to the enforcement details. They understand the importance of wearing a seatbelt. When we’ve stopped them and confronted them with a violation they’ve been understanding and appreciative of our efforts,” he said.
Deluca said officers have been confronted with a couple of angry motorists, but they were in the minority.
DeLuca said officers have developed some tricks to help them identify an un-belted driver, tricks he’s not willing to give away.
“I won’t say it’s difficult, but it can be challenging. We’ve figured out ways around it, though, and we’ve been successful,” he said.
DeLuca wanted to remind motorists that a seatbelt needs to be worn properly to be in accordance with the law, adding that tucking the belt underneath the arm is a chargeable offense.
He also wanted to warn sneaky drivers who after being pulled over, try to inconspicuously slide on their seatbelt.
“When approached, they confess,” DeLuca laughed.
Biddeford Police Chief Roger Beaupre said seatbelt compliance was near 90 percent at the beginning of the month but is disappointed because as of April 23, 335 seatbelt citations have been issued. Of those, he said 66 were second offenses and 33 were third offenses.
Beaupre said Biddeford has always had a history of dealing with seatbelt violators “aggressively.” In the 12 months proceeding April 1 the department logged, on average, 147 seatbelt violations each month.
“I’ve been reading in the daily logs and noticed a greater compliance with Biddeford residents than non-residents – the greater majority of them are from elsewhere,” he said.
Beaupre said the average person is understanding of the law but some have been more vocal in protesting it. He wanted to remind the public that all stops are videotaped and recorded.
“Every one of our cruisers is equipped with that ability. When the blue lights come on, the recorder starts,” he said, and added, “When people see themselves in behavior they’ve displayed, all of a sudden they become very humbled.”
He said it’s important to note those who medically can’t wear a seatbelt need to carry a prescription from their doctor on them at all times. Beaupre also said the fine for the first violation is $50 then increases to $125 and $250; these fines also come with surcharges, making the amount slightly higher once processed.
Saco Police Chief Brad Paul said the number of seatbelt violations was up slightly during a recent weekend.
“It’s almost a given when citations start being issued and money begins to be the issue, compliance will increase,” he said.
Paul said he was driving through town recently in an unmarked cruiser and spied a carload of teens who once they saw him, started “frantically” belting up.
“I wasn’t in uniform or I would have stopped them,” he said.
Paul said he was pleased to learn of the new seatbelt law.
“My preference is, if it’s against the law, please make it a traffic violation. I’m not a huge fan of a secondary violation status. If it’s wrong, it’s wrong. If you should be belted up, I should need no more reason than that to pull you over,” he said.
Buxton Police Chief Jody Thomas said the department still sees a lot of “die hards” who don’t wear seatbelts.
“We are going to be running details during the month of May to specifically target and enforce the seatbelt laws,” she said, adding a $2,000 grant from the state is allowing the department to do that.
She said officers have mostly been giving warnings since April 1.
“We prefer to have voluntary compliance,” she said.
Thomas said it surprises her and other officers when they still see children who are not belted.
South Portland Police Chief Ed Googins said the law was long overdue.
“I think it was appropriate and I like the fact the public appears to be complying,” he said.
According to Stewart of the Bureau of Highway Safety, 50 percent of traffic fatalities in Maine each year are attributed to motorists failing to wear their seatbelts. She went on to say there are two groups of people less likely than others to wear their seatbelts. The first is males 18 to 34-years-old, especially those who drive pickup trucks, she said.
“We don’t know why exactly, but what we suspect is that sometimes the guys that drive the pickup trucks are willing to take more risks,” Stewart said.
The second group is those 65 and older.
“It’s because they haven’t grown up with seatbelts. When they started driving, cars didn’t have them,” she said.
Stewart also said one would think new drivers would be diligent about wearing their seatbelts because they grew up using booster seats but it’s not the case.
“What we’re finding is teens getting their license and they stop wearing their seatbelts,” she said, adding the department wants to start an educational campaign toward that age group.
The Bureau of Highway Safety, along with 80 local police departments will kick off a two-week, high-visibility education and seatbelt enforcement program May 19 through June 1. Stewart expects to gather statistics regarding the law at that time.
9 a.m. – With the sun shining and a $20 bill in my purse, I set out last Friday to explore Scarborough with the intent to have a funfilled day. My first stop was breakfast at the Food Guy on Pleasant Hill Road. Kerri Munson took my order of two eggs, homefries and toast along with a Pepsi (I needed a jolt of caffeine to propel me into my day). Owner Willy Ledoux said he gets a lot of regulars in the restaurant from Prout’s Neck and Higgins Beach. A long time Scarborough resident, Ledoux has owned the Food Guy for 11 years. Out back he also owns an aqua golf range. Interesting, I thought, I’ve never hit a golf ball in my life, but maybe I’ll come back later and try something new. He also might be putting batting cages out back soon. The Food Guy is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily and on Thursdays and Fridays it’s open for happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m.
Total spent at this activity: $7.15
Total spent for the day: $7.15
Money left: $12.85
10 a.m. – Breakfast was the fuel I needed for my next activity, a beginners martial arts class with Shawn Withers at Natural Motion Martial Arts. I arrived in workout gear and was greeted by Withers, who couldn’t have been friendlier. He told me he works with both disabled and non-disabled students on Broken Wing Kenpo, which incorporates traditional values with progressive thinking. He works with students 16-years-old up to 70 or older and does a lot of one-on-one work. Joining and encouraging me for my first martial arts class was Amanda Burnham of Saco and Johanna Gwynn of Naples. Withers noted everything one can gain from martial arts including a good cardiovascular workout, improved focus and concentration and reflexes and strength. He also said there’s always something new to learn or work on. Out of respect, he told me, it’s customary to bow before entering and leaving the workout area, after which we started warming up. After some stretching it was time to get down to business and practice moves with our hands. It was evident I had never done this before. Withers had to teach me how to make a proper fist. We moved on to do some kicks and punches – my favorite part. I was really feeling the workout and it was a good way to get rid of extra energy. We practiced more kicking and also worked on balance, something I’m apparently not that good at because I think I looked a little foolish trying to hit targets while jumping on one foot. I say I probably looked foolish, but that’s one thing I noticed about Withers and the others in my class, I was never made to feel uncomfortable and after everything I tried, someone was always quick to offer up a “Good job.” Time flew by and soon my hour was up. It was refreshing to try something new and I am considering making this a regular routine. Anyone can try out classes free for a week. Natural Motion Martial Arts is located at 15 Holly Street. To learn more visit www.naturalmotionmartialarts.com or call 883-6924.
Total spent at this activity: $0.00
Total spent for the day: $7.15
Money left: $12.85
12:30 p.m. – I have never swung a golf club in my life, but thought I’d be adventurous and go back to the aqua golf range on Pleasant Hill Road. $5 got me a bucket of 45 golf balls that I (mostly) successfully launched into the pond behind the Food Guy. I called my fiancé for a few tips first. I was told to keep my eye on the ball and keep my arms straight during my swing. “It’s all in the swing,” he said. I have very little athletic ability, but I did hit the golf balls hard enough to make that cool “swooshing” sound and the sound of the ball plunking in the water definitely made me feel a sense of accomplishment. It took about 20 minutes to hit them all and I left feeling pretty proud of myself for trying yet another new activity.
Total spent at this activity: $5
Total spent for the day: $12.15
Money left: $7.85
2 p.m. – Scarborough is popular for their trails and other natural activities and since I had never stepped foot on one, I decided to check out the Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary on Pine Point Road. There are 1.5 miles of walking trails that offer a view of the Scarborough Marsh with 52 acres of land. It was relaxing to get back to nature and I promised myself I would try to take advantage of what Maine has to offer outdoors on a fairly regular basis.
Total spent at this activity: $0
Total spent for the day: $12.15
Money left: $7.85
2:45 p.m. – After all that activity I definitely had a rumble in my stomach so I stopped off at Chicago Dogs, my first visit to the restaurant. Todd Kerbrat was behind the counter and said business was getting busier with the better weather now upon us. He said the most popular items on the menu are cheese steaks and the Chicago dog combo – the Chicago dog combo it was, then, with tomatoes, pickles, mustard, peppers, celery salt and the most neon green relish I’ve ever seen. I accompanied the dog with hand cut fries and a Mountain Dew to keep me going. Smothered in vinegar, ketchup, salt and pepper, I dug in. As I ate I noticed that Chicago Dogs will deliver lunch or dinner by calling 799-DINE or visiting www.2dinein.com.
style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 7.2px; font: 9.0px New Century Schoolbook">Total spent at this activity: $6.46
Total spent for the day: $18.61
Money left: $1.39
3:30 p.m. – Feeling pretty exhausted but satisfied, I headed down the Black Point Road to Ferry Beach. I spied a few, very large snowy egrets on my way. It was getting a little cold and my energy level was starting to dwindle, but took a short walk on the beach, taking in the scenery and sitting for a while until the chill got to me.
Total spent at this activity: $0.00
Total spent for the day: $18.61
Money left: $1.39
4 p.m. – I drove around for a little while, looking for a farm stand to spend the rest of my money, but I think it’s too early in the season. Once the weather gets warmer, I think there will more outdoor activities, more church dinners and community fairs to take advantage of. One thing I also wanted to do but didn’t have the chance to was play bingo with the seniors at Hillcrest Community Center. Every Friday they have bingo at 11:30 a.m. for only $2.
Sponsored by local Rotary Clubs, Interact Clubs are self-governed and self-supported. Teacher and advisor Emily Flaherty offers support and guidance to members of the club, but said the projects are organized by students. Clubs complete two community service projects each year, one of which “furthers international understanding and goodwill,” Interact members said.
Members said they have learned a great deal from the club and look forward to meeting the challenges.
The group of about 10 core students get involved in most of the club’s activities year after year.
Interact Club Co-President David Brown, a senior, who described his family as “very community service-oriented,” has been involved with the Interact Club since his freshman year.
Individual club members volunteer at the Bon Appetite soup kitchen in Biddeford and the Animal Welfare Society, cleaning cages and walking dogs.
And while the club has accomplished many of its goals this year, including a “very successful” winter clothing collection for “Coats for Kids,” they said the expo is their biggest undertaking to date.
“Each year we have done more and been more efficient,” Brown said. “It’s been a great opportunity.”
In the current economic climate, students said they helped organize the expo to help people combat global warming and help them save money.
The expo is a collaborative effort between Maine School Administrative District 71, KHS class of 2009 and Maine Partners for Cool Communities, which is sponsored by the Sierra Club and encourages communities to implement efficient energy solutions to curb carbon emissions.
Brown said the first order of business was to contact vendors who sell sustainable or renewable energy or energy efficient products. He said it turned out to be the most challenging aspect of organizing the expo.
“Of the 70 vendors we first called, only about four said yes,” Brown said.
But persistence paid off. As of last count, more than 20 vendors ultimately agreed to be on hand.
The expo will also feature several films, which club members chose, Co-President Eliza Rule said. The films include “The Next Industrial Revolution,” which runs about an hour and outlines how businesses are working to become more eco-friendly and “Who Killed the Electric Car?” about the emergence and disappearance of General Motor’s “EV1,” a speed-record breaking concept car that required no gas.
Workshops at the expo will focus on solar energy, energy-efficiency and community supported agriculture.
Demonstration electric and hybrid cars will be available for test drives.
Last week, Flaherty sat at a desk with a floor plan of the gymnasium, as the students plotted where each vendor would be situated and where the films would play. They decided not to put the food too close to the entrance for fear that students would not venture any further to engage with demonstrations, workshops and vendors.
Club members have been marketing the event with flyers, handouts and personalized invitations to school board members and other town officials.
“We really want them to be part of this,” club member Anna Ivanova said.
Ivanova said club members raised $14,000 last spring to travel to Zihuatanejo, Mexico to participate in the Netza School Project, which promotes equal access to education for all children. The MSAD 71 students were the first youth group to visit the school, Rule said.
Not only did they deliver school and cleaning supplies, Brown said they became close friends with a boy named Antonio.
“We spent time with him,” Brown said. “We went swimming. We really interacted with him. He was one of the few students who lived at the school, so we had the opportunity to bond with him while we were there.”
Club members learned a free education is not available to all children in Mexico and Antonio was at risk of not being able to continue his education.
“He would have had to quit after sixth grade,” Ivanova said.
She said club members developed such a close relationship with Antonio, they could not bear the thought of him having to drop out.
“I think he learned more English than we learned Spanish,” she laughed.
Through bottle drives, the students raised $400 for Antonio’s tuition, room and board.
Rule said students often join the Interact Club because they want to do community service and know that more can be accomplished when many people work together toward a common goal.
“We get so much from our community,” Ivanova said. “We just want to give back.”
Editor:
Does anyone else in Kennebunk “get” the apparent disconnect between financial reality, and the wish-lists at both Kennebunk Town Hall, and the Central Offices at SAD 71?
On both budgets, we’ve heard nothing but moaning and complaining about “no money to be had.” Still, there are unnecessary spending proposals made by both town and school for next year’s budgets.
The town has proposed more expensive “studies” that aren’t needed, as well as miles of new brick sidewalks for the downtown area. Meanwhile, they’re mulching downtown, instead of filling the horrendous potholes in our roads all over town.
As for the school district, we’ve seen the same old request for salary increases, but a complete failure to optimize revenues, either by instituting reasonable user fees, or closing a school that could save us $450K per year.
Both have failed to require any additional employee contributions for their expensive health benefits. Both pay 10 percent – how many of us can say the same?
So, it’s the “same old, same old” – they want us to tighten our belts until we’re cut in two, but their own “wish lists” continue on as if the dollars were still flowing without ceasing.
In other words, just a seeming lack of governmental oversight and plain, common sense.
By way of contrast – in hard times, what does the average, intelligent family householder do?
We cut down on the frills, and the unnecessary spending. No more doughnut runs Sunday morning; no more movie outings Saturday night. No more dining out on Friday nights.
Why is it that “Government” (the capital letter being purposeful) doesn’t seem to “get” the same need for belt-tightening in hard times? Is it simply because it’s *OPM* with which they operate? (Other Peoples’ Money).
It’s not just the “poor” that are suffering these days – folks in our towns who used to consider themselves middle-class, and comfortable, are no longer in that economic strata. Those folks are now ALSO the “working poor.”
Fuel, energy, food, and every other kind of cost increase has wreaked havoc on the average income for most everyone.
What’s going undone? Dental cleanings, car repairs, clothing purchases, eyeglasses, medications, along with purchases of cheaper, less healthy foods – anything to save a dollar.
What is the eventual outcome of such “benign” poverty? Not a pretty picture, for many.
And, yet – still we get the proposals for new brick sidewalks downtown; and an outright refusal to close a school, or institute nominal student user fees that would ease the burden on the average, hardworking family in our communities.
Can someone tell me, please – “Why?” Where’s the leadership? Where’s the responsible oversight from those we’ve elected to lead us, and to guide us?
Who can “mend” this essential disconnect between the wish-lists of Government, and the plain, cold, hard financial reality for the average citizen?
I wish I knew.
Naran Row-Spaulding
Kennebunk
We are writing in response to the recent letters from concerned taxpayers regarding the proposed school budget for MSAD71. In the letters, it was suggested that due to tough economic times, the budget should be further pared down. Some of the suggestions included the closing of a school and future cuts in teachers’ pay and benefits as appropriate solutions.
Indeed, we feel your pain and dismay over tax issues. We live here too.
Unfortunately, in addition to experiencing our own personal struggles to meet our financial obligations under a wave of increasing prices for our own food, fuel, and other costs of living, we must, as employees of the town of Kennebunk, endure the scrutiny and, at times, not so subtle remarks about our wages, our medical benefits, and other conditions of our employment when other folks in the working world can maintain some sense of privacy. We do understand our situation. We are proud to serve this town and its wonderful young people, but wouldn’t it be nice, if those same taxpayers who are so quick to suggest that some of their fellow taxpayers do with less and their children do with one less school, could put some of that energy into proposing solutions that would benefit the whole community, students and retirees alike?
Instead of closing a school, why don’t we propose and develop creative uses for unused classroom space that would support and compliment the school’s educational endeavors? Many other communities have made very successful partnerships with other businesses in their area. Instead of citing incorrect information about teachers’ medical insurance, of which the town pays 84 percent, by the way, why not regard our schools and the employees who work in them as an investment in the future maintenance of Kennebunk as beautiful, safe, and peaceful place for us all to live our lives.
For the past five years, MSAD71 has worked extremely hard to propose budgets that have increased less than 3 percent. In light of all the cost increases, this has meant the loss of many staff positions, decreased classroom budgets, and strict and careful limitations to the maintenance of district properties. This year is no different. The budget is as slim as it should get. Any further cost cutting would seriously inhibit our ability to maintain the quality of the education that we can provide for our students and the results of that is something none of us can afford.
Jean Beaulieu, Mary McCarthy
(Association President), Susan Ronan
Kennebunk-Kennebunkport
Educational Association
]]>Kennebunk Inn. Tuesday, at 5:30 p.m. That’s when and where I urge local citizens to drop in and listen to the man I hope will become our next Congressman, York County District Attorney Mark Lawrence.
Mark has outstanding credentials and a good head on his shoulders, and he is exactly the strong and intelligent advocate that Maine needs. That’s why my House colleague, Rep. Gary Connor, and I are hosting “an after work conversation with Mark” at the Inn on May 13, and we invite you to hear Mark’s responses to your concerns.
Mark has York County roots, has a wife and two children, and degrees from from Bowdoin and the UMaine School of Law. He served 12 years in the Maine Legislature. He was twice unanimously elected to be President of the Senate, a position second only to the Governor.
Mark is currently serving as District Attorney to the nearly 200,000 citizens of York County, a post for which he has won election three times.
Mark’s record of public service is long, especially in pursuit of civil rights, civil justice, and environmental protection. His strong legal background, history of leadership, and respect for the Constitution give him the experience and qualities necessary to demand accountability in Washington.
June 10 is fast approaching, and the Democratic primary is where the excitement is. Concerned citizens, including independents, who are looking for a candidate will find a good one at the Kennebunk Inn on Tuesday. Please join us.
Rep. Christopher W. Babbidge
Kennebunk
]]>By Renee Worthing
Staff Writer
After several months of searching, Kennebunk has a new police chief.
Family and friends filled town hall April 22 to witness Kennebunk Police Lt. Robert McKenzie accept his role as the newest Kennebunk Police Department chief. After being sworn in by Town Clerk Joanna Moran, McKenzie’s wife Nancy replaced the lieutenant badge with a gold chief’s badge.
Town Manager Barry Tibbetts said the town received more than 75 applicants nationwide and internationally sought the chief position. He said a committee of nine Kennebunk residents spent “untold hours” reviewing applications.
“One applicant rose to the top,” Tibbetts said. “All nine residents (on the committee), chose the top three candidates and all nine were in unison on Robert McKenzie.”
Tibbetts said McKenzie, a Kennebunk native, began his career in public service when he joined the Emergency Medical Services in 1982 and worked his way up to become a firefighter. When a reserve position opened on the Kennebunk Police Department, McKenzie landed the job.
“Every other year, he extended his knowledge with training of his own initiative,” Tibbetts said, adding McKenzie became a “drug expert,” worked in dispatch and as a detective.
“He brings a lot to the table,” Tibbetts said. “He knows the department through and through.”
Tibbetts said he applauded McKenzie for attending college while working and raising a family. He said McKenzie’s reputation “speaks for itself,” adding McKenzie is “humble, not arrogant.”
“He knows how to listen,” Tibbetts said. “He’s a hometown boy and his is a remarkable story and a tribute to Bob (McKenzie),” he said.
Family, friends and coworkers lined the hallway outside the town hall, congratulating McKenzie with handshakes and hugs. Nancy McKenzie said her husband deserved the position.
“He works so hard and never leaves work at the office,” she said. “We’re very, very proud of him.”
McKenzie, on his third day, said his desk is “quite cluttered right now.”
He said his first order of business was to fill the lieutenant position he vacated, which he hopes to fill within a month. He said the position would be available to in-house employees as well as outside candidates. McKenzie also said he planned to continue the work by Interim Director of Police Services Mike Pardue who conducted a department review outlining 45 items that would improve the efficiency of the police department.
“Many of things have already been accomplished and some are a work in progress and always will be,” McKenzie said.
He said a five-year strategic plan comprised of six core components, included a personnel hiring process, officer development training, and securing grants for school resource officers, crime prevention and community-oriented policing. He said improvements have been made in communication with the installation of signal repeaters, grant money was used to buy cameras for the cruisers and officers took part in firearms and emergency vehicle operation training. McKenzie said he is thinking of the future needs of the department, including the facility.
“We have been here five or six years and already we are maxed out on storage space,” he said.
In between the daily operations of the police department McKenzie said he is also busy fielding phone calls and emails from people calling to congratulate him.
Kennebunk Police Lt. Nicholas Higgins said McKenzie was his field-training officer when Higgins joined the department in 1998.
“He has a great sense of humor, but also sets the bar high,” Higgins said.
He said when McKenzie is involved in a disciplinary process, he maintains the respect of the officers.
“I’m excited to serve in a support position to him,” Higgins said.
Patrolman Michael Tucci said when he graduated the Maine State Criminal Justice Academy, it was McKenzie who “pinned” Tucci.
“I think I speak for a lot of guys when I say we’re happy to see him get the position,” Tucci said.
By Renee Worthing
Staff Writer
Quieter nights are in the forecast for the York Street (Route 1) and Friend Street neighborhood of Kennebunk.
Kennebunk Selectmen suspended Stefano’s Bistro’s special amusement permit April 22 after officials said owner Chris Kinnard failed to remedy the noise level emanating from his restaurant and bar. Kinnard can reapply for the special amusement permit after a consultation with a sound engineer and has a plan in place to reduce the sound from bands performing, selectmen said.
Kinnard’s special amusement permit was up for renewal in January, but multiple noise complaints from residential neighbors forced selectmen to take a closer look at renewing the permit. Instead of renewing the permit then, selectmen issued a temporary four-month permit with the condition that Kinnard reduce the sound from the bands that play at the restaurant.
Kinnard said he bought a sound meter for the business, which has never registered more than 60 decibels – what he understood to be the maximum per the town ordinance.
However, Kennebunk Police Lt. Nicholas Higgins said the town’s noise ordinance is written for three separate zones – residential, commercial and industrial. The restaurant, located in a mixed-use part of town near the downtown, does not fall into any of the zone classifications although it abuts a residential zone. Higgins said the maximum decibel level allowed in a residential zone is 45 decibels between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
“I’m not going out of my way to be a nuisance,” Kinnard said. “Maybe the limits (set by the town) are wrong.”
In an effort to appease neighbors, he said two bands would not be invited back to Stefano’s because they were too loud.
One neighbor, Victor Cavanaugh, said the noise level from the bands playing at Stefano’s between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. is disruptive to the entire neighborhood.
“We are 120 feet from their back door,” Victor Cavanaugh said. “In the four months since (the January meeting), nothing has gotten better.”
He said while he’s not trying to put anyone out of business, he is trying to “protect” his home and the quality of time spent in it.
Cavanaugh said it is not fair that sometimes when he looks out his window, he sees Stefano’s patrons urinating in the rear parking lot and people in cars “doing I don’t know what.”
Higgins said police responded to 30 loud music complaints in 2008. Of the 30 complaints, he said officers deemed 10 of the complaints as “reasonable.”
“‘Loud’ is subjective,” Higgins said. “What may be an annoyance to one person may not be to another.”
Higgins said loud music falls under the disorderly conduct laws established by the state. He said the disorderly conduct statute requires law enforcement officials to warn the violator before taking action and every night a complaint was issued constituted a new complaint.
“We would have to warn on Friday night and then warn again on Saturday night and warn again on Sunday night,” Higgins said.
Selectman Robert Higgins asked Kinnard why he had not installed “sound deadening” material to solve the problem, but Kinnard said he didn’t see a reason to take such a step, which he described as very expensive, if sound was not a problem according to his sound meter.
Selectmen considered attaching conditions to the special permit such as limiting the hours a band could play, but in the end opted to suspend the special permit until Kinnard met with a sound engineer and devised a plan.
Kinnard said he felt “robbed” and said the selectmen’s decision forced him to cancel the performance of 14 bands.
“People come to see live music,” he said. “I will experience a huge revenue loss not having live entertainment.”
Cavanaugh said he was pleased with the decision.
“I think it (permit suspension) was a step in the right direction,” Cavanaugh said. “The residents of this neighborhood are fed with up all that’s happening. The whole thing is disturbing, from music to all that comes with a full service bar.”
By Renee Worthing
Staff Writer
The snow banks are gone at Dock Square. The sidewalks, swept clear of sand, are dotted with sandwich boards declaring shops are open. Although Memorial Day weekend will officially kick off summer for the beachside community, spring is a time of reawakening for the seaside village of Kennebunkport.
While some stores were closed for the winter, others stayed open on weekends. However, in anticipation of spring break tourists armed with credit cards and cash, shop owners recently dusted their shelves and began filling them with new items. They added price tags to new products as well as clearance-priced merchandise left over from last season.
Last week, Kennebunkport Highway Department employees Ray Leskowsky and Kevin Paradis spent time raking gravel in front of the first public restrooms at Dock Square, which are expected to be open by Memorial Day.
This is good news for tourists and shopkeepers alike. For years, the lack of public restrooms sent tourists in Dock Square into shops looking for a restroom.
Flaming Gourmet Owner Joe Wrba said the public restroom was “long overdue.” He said tourists often came into his shop looking for a restroom, but because The Flaming Gourmet is a food store, he had to turn them away.
How many out-of-towners will be around to make use of the facilities this year is a matter of some debate among retailers. Although Wrba’s store, featuring different kinds of hot sauce, remained open on weekends throughout the winter, he is less optimistic about the upcoming tourist season than other shop owners, citing gas prices as the primary reason.
“I think gas prices will retard business,” he said, even as shoppers walked in the door.
Unlike last year, when rain put a damper on spring break shopping, unseasonably clear skies and warm temperatures through most of April welcomed visitors to the ‘Port, including William Montague of Halfmooon, N.Y. who sat on a bench outside American Sailor Company while his wife Judy shopped.
“We’ve been coming here for 25 years,” William Montague said. “I usually bring a book to read while she shops.”
A white carriage, drawn by Rockin Horse Stables draft horse Charlie, wound its way up Ocean Avenue for the second day this season.
At Old Salt’s Pantry, owner John Belyea filled coolers with bottled drinks.
“I’m just stocking up and waiting,” he said, but he did not wait long before greeting a group of four patrons.
Like most shop owners at Dock Square interviewed, Belyea said he doesn’t anticipate the rising gas prices to have a negative impact on business – it may even have the opposite effect. He said rising gas prices have affected the cost of airline tickets, keeping travelers along the East Coast closer to home. He also said he usually has an influx of Canadian visitors.
“The gas prices here are cheap to them,” he said. “As long as the weather is nice and the sun is out, people will come. After such a hard winter, people want to get out.”
Inside American Sailor Company, employee Jackie Maushart, folded a stack of shirts on the counter, while at Dock Square Clothing, Sales Associate Kathy Marshall welcomed shoppers. She said she hoped tourism would not be affected by gas prices.
“This year we are praying,” Marshall said with a laugh.
She said the store, which has been open for more than 20 years, relies on Canadians and tourists from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
“It also helps that we have an established and repeating clientele,” she said.
Candy Man Manager Rob Heseltine was busy aligning a shelf stocked with sweets.
“We stay open all year so we don’t have the hustle and bustle of opening for the summer,” he said.
The candy shop has remained open during the off-season for the past five years and Heseltine said there were advantages to remaining open during the winter.
One winter he wasn’t open, a small problem turned into an expensive repair.
“The fire alarm was going off because the battery died,” Haseltine said. “The fire department broke down the door to replace a 9-volt battery.”
Haseltine said vendors are increasing their delivery rates due to rising diesel prices, but said the candy shop has not passed the increase on to its customers.
Amy Gaynor, owner of Carrots & Company said she is excited about the upcoming season and confident people would take day trips to the area rather than extended vacations overseas.
Gaynor said her store, featuring toys and “whimsical” gifts is what people need this time of year after a long hard winter.
As if transported from several months into the future, Anna Aldoy and Donald Moruzzi of Long Island, N.Y. sat on a bench enjoying ice cream cones. They said they normally travel to destinations within about four or five hours of home and although gas prices were up from last year, Moruzzi said they hoped to return later in the season.
“We love it here,” Aldoy said.
“It’s very mellow and relaxing,” Moruzzi said. “The hospitality here is great. Everyone is so friendly.”
Staff Writer
Cars lined up along Long Sands Beach in Kennebunk as temperatures reached the high 70s last week. Visitors from Kennebunk and nearby towns gathered to walk, play, surf and sunbathe in the unseasonably warm temperatures before the recent weather pattern dampened the ground and local spirits.
Last week, Kennebunk resident Seth Fenn braved the chilly waves with a wetsuit and a surfboard.
“It was just a perfect day with the wind and there are some pretty good waves,” he said. “I just took the day off.”
Long-time Kennbunk residents Nancy and Jim McGuire said they hadn’t seen such warm weather in April in the 13 years they had been visiting the beach.
“This week has been just fantastic,” Nancy McGuire said.
Kennebunk and Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce Director of Marketing and Membership Karen Duddy said the weather “has turned on a light switch” for the local tourist industry.
“All of a sudden there’s traffic coming through here and people want to know about places to stay, things to do and where to visit,” she said. “It’s a much welcome jumpstart to the season after a really long and difficult winter.”
Maine Tourism Office Director of Marketing Steve Lyons said the summer-like influx of tourists last month was an indication of what could be a busy upcoming tourist season, which is to be expected after such a harsh winter.
“People are looking for the warmer weather,” he said. “They’re really anxious to fight cabin fever this year.”
Businesses were fortunate to have such nice weather fall on a vacation week, Duddy said. At a time when most are preparing for the Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial kickoff of tourist season along the Maine coastline, the sudden demand for service has those in the tourist industry open early.
“You have to start to get ready now,” she said.
Duddy said she was confident Kennebunk and Kennebunkport would continue to be a destination for tourists this summer despite the rising cost of traveling.
“We’re only 90 minutes from Boston and five hours from New York,” she said. “We’re poised in a good position.”
Lyons said lodging and accommodations business owners throughout the state have reported an increase in pre-season booking from last year, from both local and foreign tourists.
“We’re going to see more international travelers as long as the U.S. dollar continues to decline,” he said.
Although the price of oil has nearly doubled in the past three years, Duddy said the tourism industry has remained strong.
“You still see the license plates from [out of state],” she said. “We’d all like it if gas prices were normal, but let’s turn a negative into a positive.”
Lyons said he believed weather was the primary factor in attracting tourists to the area. Most people will overlook high gas prices as long as the sun is shining, he said.
“Maine is a ‘drive-to’ rather than a ‘fly-to’ destination,” Lyons said. “Chances are you’re not going to drive a few hours to sit in the rain.”
Despite the promising surge of this spring and positive reports from business owners, Lyons said he wasn’t sure how much longer people would be able to justify the expense of extended travel.
“At some point, and I don’t know what that point is, we will reach a level where people say ‘Well, let’s stay closer to home,’” he said.
]]>Story and photos by Renee Worthing
Staff Writer
9:05 a.m. – I was a little on the grumpy side not having had a good night’s sleep in about three days, but the clear blue sky buoyed my spirits.
With a crisp $20 bill tucked in the right pocket of my jeans, my daughter Chelsea and I headed out the door Saturday morning, intent on entertaining ourselves for the day. Actually, the deal was I was going to entertain myself and she was going to serve as the photographer, chronicling events along the way.
My first order of business was breakfast. It seemed like a good day to head to the Cockpit Café at the Sanford Regional Airport. With nary a cloud in the sky, it was a perfect day for pilots to take to the skies. I thought we could watch planes take off and land while we had breakfast.
I had not been to the Cockpit Café in years and was surprised to find myself in a line nearly out the door. Rather than waiting in the long line (a good indication of good food at a fair price), we seated ourselves at the counter.
Cockpit Café Owner Rene Bernier, working behind the counter, took my order of one scrambled egg with toast. It came with a choice of beans or home fries. There are only two things I will not eat and beans are one of them so I opted for the home fries. I also ordered a cup of coffee.
While waiting for breakfast, we watched employees at the airport tow planes by hand to the front of the restaurant windows where they scrubbed them from propeller to rudder.
Off in the distance, a small blue helicopter bobbed up and down. The pilot was obviously a student practicing hovering and landing.
There was also a plethora of airplane and aircraft memorabilia inside the restaurant.
My egg was cooked to perfection and the rest of the meal was good, as well.
Bernier greeted many of her customers by name and children of her regular customers felt comfortable enough to walk behind the counter to ask for whipped cream for their waffles.
Total spent at this activity: $4.57
Total spent for the day: $4.57
Money left: $15.43
10:30 a.m. – At the other end of town, I was thrilled to find the Sanford/Springvale Historical Society open. The building itself is gorgeous, but the treasures it holds are priceless.
After having my photo taken with a portrait of Thomas Goodall, founder of the Goodall Mills, my daughter pulled out a chair and occupied herself with old editions of the Sanford High School yearbook, “Distaff.’
She cracked up seeing teachers, administrators and students with the “big hair” of the 1980s.
I pulled out a bound set of newspapers dating back to 1967, the year I was born. Advertisements in the paper announced the price of three pounds of butter for 99 cents. Lettuce was 17 cents a head and fryer chicken cost a whopping 27 cents per pound. Sampson’s Market offered T-bone steaks for 79 cents per pound and bananas for 9 cents per pound.
In the first issue of the newspaper in 1967, a special town meeting was slated for Jan. 30. The town was looking to raise funds not exceeding $2.8 million for a new high school. Of those funds, $200,000 was to be used to remodel the existing high school (which is now Willard School). I found out in later editions of the paper, all seven wards in Sanford/Springvale voted it down.
On April 27, 1967, exactly 41 years and one day ago, the newspaper announced a soldier from Lebanon was killed in Vietnam when his helicopter came under enemy attack.
“As much as things change, they stay the same,” I thought to myself.
Another story from that day featured proposed changes at the Sanford Police Department, including dropping the age limit for patrolman from 24 to 45 years old to 21 to 30 years old. Patrolmen no longer had to be three-year residents of the town, but were required to establish residency at the end of their six-month probationary period. The retirement age was also lowered from 60-years-old to 55, “in keeping with the Maine State Retirement System.”
In thumbing through another old paper, I found my son’s birth announcement in the October 1992 edition.
The Sanford/Springvale Historical Society keeps copies of all the current newspapers. Funny to think that someday, maybe 41 years from now, a reporter on assignment will open an old edition of the Sanford Register. They may open the brittle yellow pages to this very story.
Total spent at this activity: $0.00
Total spent for the day: $4.57
Money left: $15.43
Noon – I thought about playing miniature golf, but then I remembered how it always turns into a fiasco. Instead, as I passed “Get Fired Up,” a paint your own pottery studio across from Movie Gallery, I made a sudden turn into the parking lot.
I’m not artistic, but after talking to Get Fired Up Owner Helen Hajny, I decided to try my hand painting a small ceramic dragonfly. I chose my paints and sat down at a table with a palette, a placemat, two caddies of paintbrushes and began to paint my dragonfly.
“Light colors first,” I kept repeating, as I brushed yellow, blue and purple paint onto the white ceramic.
I never imagined I would have so much fun or that I would become so absorbed in painting my creation just right.
Chelsea and I were also each given a tile to paint. Hajny originally added painted tiles to the counters, but she had collected so many, she decided to tile the restroom with them. What a cool restroom! Intricately detailed tiles that must have taken hours to paint abutted others that created quickly. Some had sayings on them while others were ornate. Each had character and said a lot about the artist. I won’t tell you what my tile looks like, you’ll have to go to Get Fired Up and find it yourself. While you’re there, paint something. Have fun, (that’s the No. 1 rule at Get Fired Up), be creative and take a friend.
My little dragonfly will go into the kiln and will later be ready for pickup. I plan on going back again to paint something a little larger that will allow for more creativity.
I was surprised to learn it was nearly 2 p.m.
Total spent at this activity: $9.00
Total spent for the day: $13.57
Money left: $6.43
2 p.m. – With $6.43 left in my pocket, I knew lunch would have to be inexpensive. We went to Subway where a foot-long sub can be bought for $5 plus tax. There is no way I could eat a 12-inch sandwich, but I bought one anyway and split it with my daughter.
We drove to the picnic benches at Number One Pond. The breeze was a little on the chilly side so we tried to find a table in the sun. The sun filtering through the tree branches was not enough to keep us warm so we gobbled down our sandwich. I wanted to take a leisurely stroll along Mousam Way Trail, but it was getting colder and I was getting more tired. We dashed back to the car and turned on the heat for a few minutes.
Total spent at this activity: $5.35
Total spent for the day: $18.92
Money left: $1.08
3 p.m. – There isn’t much one can do with $1.08, but I still had plenty of gasoline. We took a spin through Shapleigh and talked about all the other things that could be done in town for less than $20. If I had a fishing license, I could have fished my way from Shapleigh to south Sanford.
Total spent at this activity: Some gas
Total spent for the day: $18.92
Money left: $1.08
To be determined – As we headed home I couldn’t help but wonder what I might have done differently. There is almost always something going on at Memorial Gym and there are often guest speakers at the Sanford/Springvale Historical Society. The Little Theatre at Nasson Community Center will open soon with all sorts of entertainment. I could have tossed a Frisbee at Gowen Park or taken in a Sanford Mainers baseball game at Goodall Park. Smitty’s Cinema offers the “Mommy and Me” program – G-rated movies where admission for children under five is free and parents get in for $5.50, although Chelsea’s a bit old to even try to fudge that. Times are lean for everyone, but with a little forethought, $20 can stretch a long way.
Staff Writer
Damp weather last weekend and a mid-week deluge are expected to give firefighters a reprieve from what was shaping up to be a busy brushfire season. However, those dangers may reemerge if fluctuating weather patterns bring another wave of dry air to the region.
As spring yard clean ups begin in earnest, many property owners burn leaves and twigs that weren’t raked up before the snow began to fall, but fire officials are warning people to be very careful this time of year.
Maine Forest Service Ranger Claudette Desautels said spring is a dangerous time of year for fires.
“Believe it or not, pine needles and leaves can still cure under snow,” she said. “It can become tinder.”
She