Post Posts

Uncertain future (Printed July 23, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-26T11:48:00Z

By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff Writer

It’s no secret Kennebunkport Historical Society is having financial problems, according to President Betsy Ames-Fitzgerald.

But a debate has erupted over a recommendation by the society’s trustees to sell what some describe as its crown jewel: the Nott House, located in the middle of one of the state’s busiest tourist destinations.

Members of the society are concerned its endowment, which has not recovered from the recession, and the inability to raise money, make it difficult to operate and maintain the 220-year old former residence.

Society board members met July 14 to hear two new finance reports, one with a recommendation to sell the Nott House and one that urges members to keep all properties by finding new ways to increase revenue.

The society owns four buildings, the Pasco Center, Town House School, Benson’s Blacksmith Shop and the Nott House. The society also maintains a collection of books, paintings, costumes and furniture dating to the 1800s.

Ames-Fitzgerald wrote the reports with five-year forecasts supported by research and financial documentation: one with the Nott House and one without. They will be used as the basis for a strategic planning process that has not yet begun.

“The strategic plan will look at all aspects of the society’s operations, buildings, collections, exhibitions, programs, education and outreach, governance and management,” Ames-Fitzgerald wrote in response to e-mailed questions. “The plan will chart the course for the society for the next five years.”

The financial presentations came two weeks after board member and former board president Larry Soule sent more than 300 society members copies of two other reports, one organized by himself without authorization from the board and the second submitted in March by Jeff McCulloh, hired by the board for $1 per year to be an interim strategic consultant.

Soule, who volunteers as a tour guide at the house, said the back portion of the house was built in the 1790s by the richest family in town, the Perkins. In 1853, Charles Perkins married Ceila Nott, from one of the poorest families in town.

Perkins built the front Greek-style portion of the house as a wedding gift for his bride.

Eventually the Perkins family died out after a series of tragedies, including the early deaths of both Perkins children. The 32 diaries of daily entries from former occupants provide a rich history of life in the Nott House and its environs.

The house was given to the historical society in 1982 by then-president and Nott family member, Elizabeth Nott.

Ames-Fitzgerald said she objected to elements of both Soule’s and McCulloh’s reports. She said a reference in McCulloh’s report to selling the Town House School is out of date and the society is not considering taking that step.

She described Soule as a “rogue board member” who was not authorized to write any such report.

Ames-Fitzgerald said the two new reports will be released to members of the society and the public in late September after the strategic planning study concludes.

Executive Director Susan Edwards said a group of board members and members of the public will participate in the strategic study, along with herself and Ames-Fitzgerald.

The board voted in April to recommend to society members the house be sold. Historical society members would vote on that recommendation during the annual meeting Oct. 14. However, Ames-Fitzgerald said board members may do some “re-thinking” after the strategic report is completed.

“If we can’t afford to keep (the Nott House) open, we realistically can’t keep it,” said Lynn Johnson, a board member of the society who also volunteers as a tour guide at the house.

Soule and Finn MacDonald, another historical society board member, organized the report authored by Arlene Schwind, curator of the Victoria Mansion in Portland, and Laura Sprague, consulting curator of the Tate House in Portland to find new ways to bring more revenue into the society.

McCulloh’s report, completed in March, was the first report to show the society could face critical financial conditions.

“At the present estimated rate of a $40,000 (annual) deficit the (society) will be “bankrupt” within a decade. However, functionally, it will be beyond saving within two-three years in my opinion. We may have already gone beyond the tipping point,” McCulloh’s report said.

Ames-Fitzgerald wrote that some of his figures are out of date.

According to McCulloh’s report, the society endowment was $567,000 as of January 2010. Annual membership, fundraisers and other sources of income have raised approximately $170,000 a year, except for last year when $110,000 was raised due to the economic downturn, according to McCulloh.

Ames-Fitzgerald said the society is planning some fundraisers for the next few months, including an Aug. 7 garden party at the Capt. Lord Mansion, an Aug. 15 ice cream social at the Nott House and a Sept. 17 golf tournament.

She said the society also is applying for grants and is waiting on a pending acceptance for one in the near future.

There is no charge to take a tour of the Nott House, only a request for donations in the gift shop. Ames-Fitzgerald said attendance at Nott House was up from last year, with 100 people visiting in the last two weeks, but in general the house brings in approximately $3,700 each year.

McCulloh included a minimum expense report in his plan, which includes upkeep on three properties under ownership of the society, including $8,600 for the Town House School, $7,200 for the Pasco Center and $21,000 for the Nott House and Benson’s Blacksmith Shop, which was not included in McCulloh’s report. He estimates it will likely cost $4,000 more to maintain the Nott House as it ages further.

McCulloh estimates the house could be sold for more than $1 million. It is located on North Street at a visible intersection and offers commanding views from the top balcony.

Ames-Fitzgerald said a 2009 report identified numerous structural needs.

McCulloh suggested improvements to the house such as a sprinkler system, which could cost between $65,000 and $100,000, and the addition of a full-time employee to keep the Nott House open more often to increase revenues through tours of the house, would require an additional $35,000.

But Soule’s report said the house is not required to have a sprinkler system because of the damage it could cause to the collection inside the house.

If sold, the contents of the house will be given to Nott family heirs, according to Elizabeth Nott’s will.

Soule’s report focuses on how to keep the property, despite the costs.

“The building appears to be in good shape, its contents are catalogued, the costumes are properly stored, the garden and grounds are appealing, and the tour presentation is well thought out,” according to the report.

But he argues there are some ways the society can garner more revenue through grants with help of a historic structures report, which looks at the building’s physical history and current condition, recommends priorities for maintenance and capital projects and helps establish a budget.

Ames-Fitgerald said the society has a budget of approximately $134,000.

Soule agreed upkeep of the house will be expensive, but said he wanted to present two views to members of the society.

“One piece of wallpaper fell off, it costs $6,000 to put a patch back on because of the history and uniqueness,” Soule said. All the wallpaper and carpeting in the house is original.

An historic structures report is a prerequisite to grant options that can help with upkeep at the house, according to Soule’s report. Ames-Fitzgerald wrote the price for the report would be between $80,000 and $100,000. She wrote that the society has not been able to secure grants it has pursued to finance such a study.

The majority of Soule’s findings focus on ways to garner more publicity for the Nott House and suggest the house be open more, have specific scheduled tour times and better marketing.

According to Ames-Fitzgerald, the vote on Oct. 14 will be determined by findings in the strategic report.

“The strategic planning process will lead to a decision on what action (if any) to take to the membership at the annual meeting,” she wrote.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.

Recall dies in Arundel (Printed July 23, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-26T11:47:00Z

By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff Writer

An effort to recall three Arundel selectmen, including one who was arrested in June for alleged drug trafficking, has fizzled.

Daren Keller, who started the petition, said July 14 he would stop collecting signatures.

“Quite frankly I am tired and disgusted with the dirty politics in Arundel and after discussion with my wife, I am not going to participate in Arundel politics,” Keller wrote in an e-mail that explained why he was abandoning the effort.

“I need to devote my time and energy to something more productive. Being a homeowner and taxpayer advocate doesn’t come with any pay or benefits but you get to deal with all the hassles. The board doesn’t listen anyways and have their agendas they want to push through. I wish them luck,” Keller said in the statement.

Keller resigned last week from his seat on the budget board.

The petition began four days after the June 8 election in which one of the selectmen named on the petition, Dana Peck, was re-elected.

The other selectmen targeted by Keller are Mark Paulin and Byron Kindley.

Police say Kindley ran a stolen property ring from the Valero gas station he owned and where he lived in upstairs. Police allege Kindley traded the stolen goods for prescription pain medication. Police have not said where they believe he obtained the medication.

Paulin filed a complaint with the York County Sheriff’s Office in July because he said the signatures collected were not valid. He said residents told him they thought the three petitions were all for Kindley’s resignation, not Paulin or Peck.

York County Sheriff Maurice Ouellette said Paulin approached Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Nadeau with a complaint alleging the recall petition papers and signatures were inappropriately collected. Ouellette said Nadeau contacted the Maine Ethics Commission but was told it was a local problem.

Ouellette said Nadeau then contacted the attorney general’s office and was told the attorney general didn’t believe the allegations fit guidelines for an investigation. Finally, Nadeau took the complaint to the District Attorney’s Office, where he was told there was no criminal activity.

“We do not currently have an investigation open and I think the matter is closed,” Ouellette said.

Peck turned out to be exempt from the petition because the town’s charter prohibits selectmen from being recalled within six months of their election.

Keller, a frequent critic of the selectmen, has recently objected to what he believes is preferential treatment toward Bentley’s Saloon, which is seeking to expand and increase its occupancy limit.

The establishment frequently exceeds its current limit through regular requests for mass-gathering permits.

When Keller started the petition he said Peck’s name was included because many of residents felt too intimidated to run against him.

According to Keller, he felt the three selectmen made it difficult for homeowners in Arundel to voice opinions about town issues.

Kindley could be removed from office if found guilty of charges against him.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.

Owners say improvements threaten store (Printed July 23, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-26T11:45:00Z

By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff Writer

A vote may be all it takes to close the doors of a restaurant built on the flip of a coin.

Sisters Elaine Riley and Linda Gibson run the Creamery coffee shop on Alfred Road in West Kennebunk and fear a new plan to cut parking spaces in front of the shop will ruin their business.

“I don’t feel it’s going to survive. We survived two downturns in the economy, this last one almost did it, but we’re Mainers, we did what we needed to do to survive. There’s nothing we can do to survive parallel parking,” Riley said.

Selectmen last Tuesday rejected a plan from the town engineer, Chris Osterrieder, to add a bicycle lane and new parallel parking in front of the Creamery and post office.

Osterrieder estimated the parking area on the road’s right-of-way in front of the Creamery, post office and old Cummings Market would be reduced approximately 40 percent to 14 parallel parking spaces. The area currently accommodates 21 vehicles.

Creamery patrons are concerned they won’t find spaces to park when they visit the coffee shop in the morning, as they have done since it first opened in 1994. Patrons also say the inconvenience of parallel parking will force them to find another place to spend their money.

“One of the beauties of West Kennebunk is the little businesses like this. It’s a shame to have change,” said Gordon Paul, who for the past 10 years has visited the Creamery every day on his way to work. “I probably definitely will not come in. Parking is convenient for me set up the way it is now.”

Paul isn’t the only long-time customer who said they wouldn’t stop at the shop if parking changes and nearby spaces are limited.

“I’ve been coming in every day for more than five years and spend about half an hour in here, but not if I can’t park,” said Barbara Maling, another Creamery regular.

“I think they’d frown on it if I just stopped in the middle of the road and put my four-ways on,” joked David Hicks, who has been coming to the Creamery every weekday for the past five years.

Two public hearings have already been held in West Kennebunk for citizens to voice opinions on the new road plan and offer suggestions to make it more palatable.

During the July 13 meeting, Osterrieder presented a preliminary plan that still included parallel parking, much to the chagrin of the audience.

He said sidewalks on the south side of the street and the bike path would have to be eliminated to keep parking similar to its current configuration.

“I wonder if it has an adverse effect when we’re trying to have businesses in the area. Without that land what do we say to a prospective business?” said Selectman Bob Higgins.

Osterrieder admitted the parallel parking would decrease the level of service in the area, but it would increase the safety of pedestrians and cars pulling out from parking spots.

Riley’s fears that with her prices – $2.20 for a large cup of coffee and $2.65 for a homemade breakfast sandwich – even a slight customer decline could leave the business bankrupt.

“It takes a lot of people to keep a shop going like that. If I lose even 15 customers, that will be it,” Riley said.

The post office also has issues with a parking change.

“Please be advised we are satisfied with the current parking situation. We do not wish to experience the proposed changes to the existing conditions,” wrote Christopher Madden, a contracting officer for the United States Postal Service. “Said another way, we are opposed to changing the parking situation as it now exists.”

Riley has owned the building that now houses the Creamery for 18 years. For the first two years Riley lived on the second floor, but after months of debate between the sisters on whether to turn the garage into a coffee shop, a coin flip decided their fate.

“It was 50-50. So we flipped a coin, heads we would open the shop,” Riley said.

Thirty days later, the Creamery opened. Sixteen years after that, Riley sent an e-mail to Town Manager Barry Tibbetts to ask what paperwork would be required to close the shop.

“That’s how confident I am we’ll close if the parking changes,” Riley said.

Osterrieder presented his proposal during a second public hearing in West Kennebunk. The West Kennebunk Committee unanimously approved the plan with the parking change.

Osterrieder said he tried to design a plan with angle parking, but decided it wouldn’t work in evening hours when cars pull out of the Creamery and post office spaces into heavy traffic.

Tibbetts said during the interim he will look into town-owned property in the area that could possibly be used for parking.

No parking is allowed behind the Creamery because of a septic tank and leach field in Riley’s backyard.

Several customers at the coffee shop said West Kennebunk residents believe Alfred Road needs to be improved.

Osterrieder said reconstructing the road to address road surface and drainage concerns would cost the town $750,000.

The town has $250,000 to spend on the project, including an $80,000 grant from the Department of Transportation.

Tibbetts said the grant is for completion of a bike lane and sidewalks.

One of the conditions of the grant is a signature from the town engineer. Osterrieder said he would not sign a plan he does not feel is safe.

Voters approved another $107,000 for sidewalks on Alfred or Thompson roads in November 2009. The sidewalk on Thompson Road already has been completed without using the money, leaving it in hand for parts of the Alfred Road project.

A vote on the plan has been tabled until September, when board members hope to have a cost estimate.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.

News Briefs (Printed July 23, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-26T11:41:00Z

Air monitoring to continue

Air quality inspections will continue throughout the summer at Middle School of the Kennebunks.

Superintendent Andrew Dolloff said during the RSU 21 School Board meeting July 19 that the Turner Group architectural firm and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health will continue to test air quality in the building after years of staff complaints.

Harriman Associates, another architectural and engineering firm, currently is working on a facilities study for the district to address concerns by staff regarding district buildings.

Dolloff said he asked the firm to immediately focus on the middle school to get a better understanding if the building has any design flaws.

Dolloff said that while it’s not likely the building has design flaws, the district may be able to pursue remuneration from SMRT, the architecture firm that designed the school. He said it was doubtful the district would be compensated for any construction flaws from Payton, the construction firm, because it has gone bankrupt.

Faculty and staff have complained about illnesses that could be related to mold or air quality problems since the $16 million building was opened in 2002.

Grants flow into Kennebunk

Residents of Kennebunk unanimously approved two grants at a July 13 special Town Meeting.

Both grants, a Community Enterprise Grant and an Economic Development Grant, are Community Development Block Grants administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to improve businesses in town.

The grants require businesses to invest an equal amount in the improvements.

Eight businesses in town were awarded a share of the $115,000 Community Enterprise Grant, which is intended to reduce blight. The businesses are We Care Dry Cleaners, The Masiello Group, West Kennebunk United Methodist Church, York Masonic Lodge, Alamode Inc., Kennebunk Inn and Prisizhon Studio.

Caroline Segalla from the planning office said work will likely start sometime this fall.

Kennebunk Center for Dentistry was awarded $100,000 as part of the Economic Development grant for business support. The grant is intended to close financing gaps caused by unexpected expenses. The center will use the money to add a dentist and four other positions, including a dental assistant and hygienist, with at least half of those positions going to people of low or moderate income. Two new pieces of equipment also will be purchased with the grant, including X-ray equipment and equipment used to make fillings.

The center will have up to two years to create the positions.

Woman killed on Route 111

A Biddeford woman was killed after in a motor vehicle accident near the Arundel-Biddeford line on Route 111 around 1 p.m., July 15.

Priscille Boissonneault, 75, a passenger in a 2002 Toyota Camry, was killed when the car crossed the center line and collided with a 1994 Dodge Ram van, according to York County Sheriff Maurice Ouellette.

Elizabeth Lapointe, 81, of Biddeford, was driving the Camry and was taken to Southern Maine Medical Center to be treated for serious injuries.

Thomas Wood, of Hermon, was listed in stable condition and has been released from Southern Maine Medical. His wife Dorothy Wood, a passenger in the van, also was taken to the hospital.

All three have been released from the hospital.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the York County Sheriff’s department Ouellette said.

Lobster Bowl is Saturday

The 21st annual Maine Shrine Lobster Bowl Classic will kick off at 4 p.m. Saturday at Waterhouse Field in Biddeford.

The game, featuring all-star teams of players from west and east divisions, benefits the Shriners Children’s Hospital and Shriners Burn Institutes. Gates open Saturday at 1 p.m. and pre-game music starts at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for reserved seats and $8 for general admission. Tickets may be purchased at the game, Kora Shrine Center or from a Shriner.

The game will be played by 90 of the best graduating high school players from across the state. About 60 cheerleaders also will participate in the event.

Local players on the “West” team include Steve Trask, Sam Lalezari and Tim Grose of Thornton Academy and Will Foley of Kennebunk High School.

Cheerleaders for the west include Brianna Acquaviva, Chelsea Boudreau and Meaghan Cote of Thornton Academy and Kelsey Adams, Erin Beal and Mariah Tetherly of Kennebunk High School.

Event attracts 600 walkers

Nicole’s Walk, the annual fundraiser for Caring Unlimited, York County’s domestic violence program, raised more than $17,000 last weekend at Kennebunk Beach.

“Nicole loved to walk and run and we’d go for lots of walks together. She loved walking on Kennebunk beach,” said Amanda Vanasse, organizer for the walk named after her best friend, Nicole Oliver, who was killed by her husband in 2007.

Vanasse began the walk to raise money and awareness for domestic violence victims.

Nearly 600 people showed up to walk and watch, Vanasse said. Pledges totaled $6,000 and money is still being collected.

Vanasse said she will “absolutely” hold another Nicole’s Walk next year.

–Compiled by Suzanne Hodgson

Arundel may move Bentley’s zone vote (Printed July 23, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-26T11:38:00Z

By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff Writer

Arundel selectmen are reconsidering when to schedule a town vote on new zoning that would allow Bentley’s Saloon to increase occupancy.

Justice Paul Fritzche ruled July 12 that any town-wide vote to change the town’s zoning ordinance did not have to be held before the annual Town Meeting in November, when selectmen originally scheduled it. Selectman Dana Peck said he and others on the board were misinformed about how waiting that long could affect the business.

“(Owner Bentley Warren) can’t keep shelling money out, we weren’t aware of what the impact was,” Peck said.

Peck said Bentley’s may have to close its doors if the saloon isn’t allowed to have more people inside, which would put its more than 50 employees out of work.

On July 9, Bentley’s filed a civil action that asked for a special Town Meeting on July 20 for residents to vote on a petition the saloon filed in mid-May. The petition would add the definition of a tavern to the land use ordinance and additional stipulations that would allow taverns to operate under less-restrictive conditions than a restaurant.

Bentley’s currently is listed as a restaurant, the closest definition for that kind of business in the town’s Comprehensive Plan. The definition limits the number of customers to 180, including the outdoor section.

Unlike restaurants, occupancy under the proposed tavern definition would be limited by the number of vehicles its parking lot could accommodate.

“They could have 10,000 (patrons) if they have enough parking space,” said Arundel Town Planner Tad Redway.

Redway said Bentley’s petition also asks that motorcycle parking be allowed in addition to vehicle parking. He said the business would need one motorcycle parking space for every two patrons.

“There are no real restrictions on a tavern; the definition is a place that serves drink and food,” Redway said. “Taverns would be restricted by the number of parking spaces provided on and off site.”

Redway said the new definition would be an available use in the Community Commercial South zone where Bentley’s is located. Adding taverns as a permitted use would make them the only business that doesn’t require planning board approval.

The current zone has no allowable uses. As written, all development requires a conditional use permit, meaning new businesses must be approved by the planning board.

While Warren requested the change be put to voters by late July, selectmen ruled May 24 the public would vote during the regularly scheduled Town Meeting in November.

Town Manager John Fraser said the petition was not considered an emergency situation and there was no pressing reason to hold the vote.

The Maine Municipal Association legal department had earlier sent the town an opinion that the delay would be unreasonable in light of the petition’s objective and a special Town Meeting would be required within 60 days. However, the association’s legal counsel reversed the decision after learning the saloon is an existing business.

“I think it’s wrong not to get the most people possible to vote,” Fraser said.

He said a special meeting would average about 50 voters, while the annual November meeting could yield 1,700 to 2,000 voters.

Fraser said Bentley’s could continue to ask the town for special mass-gathering permits, which would allow more patrons during weekends.

Redway said the planning board is still moving ahead with the public hearing on the tavern amendment to the land ordinance in case selectmen decide to hold the meeting before November. The board held a public hearing Thursday, after the Post’s deadline.

A planning board review and public hearing must be held before the special Town Meeting. Fraser said the planning board has 45 days to review findings of the hearing before it makes a recommendation, and another seven days is needed to post notice for a special Town Meeting.

“We’d be looking at earlier September,” Fraser said.

Selectmen will readdress the petition by Bentley’s during the 7 p.m. meeting July 26 at Arundel fire hall.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.

Abutters feel shut out in club’s expansion (Printed July 23, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-23T15:25:00Z

By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff Writer

Cape Arundel Golf Club is moving forward with plans to build a practice field with tee boxes and a 3,000-square-foot range house despite neighbor’s complaints.

Arundel’s Zoning Board of Appeals ruled Thursday the planning board was correct in approving Cape Arundel Golf Club’s expansion under an existing use permit.

The club plans a range house, 25 tee boxes, maintenance building and paved, 46-car parking lot for the expansion.

The club property, which lists its address in Kennebunkport, is located in Arundel and Kennebunkport and abuts Kennebunk where the Kennebunk River forms the municipal boundary. The undeveloped land slated for the practice field is in Arundel.

Neighbor Mary Castner, who said her family has owned their Kennebunkport property for more than 60 years, filed the appeal with Arundel over the planning board’s April 8 decision that allowed the expansion.

“I’ve never objected to having a golf course around, but the practice field is going to be different,” Castner said.

Since Castner’s family moved into the house that’s directly across from the practice field in 1950, a few people have come to hit balls. But Castner thinks the newly permitted parking lot and tee boxes are different.

“They applied for an existing use permit to expand, but there (is not a) building, not parking there now. Right from the start it didn’t seem right,” Castner said.

Another abutter, Ric Walters, said he was upset because he wasn’t notified about the plan because he lives in Kennebunk and the expansion is taking place in Arundel.

“First off, we are abutters and we’re abutters because the town of Arundel designated us as abutters. We’re directly across the Kennebunk River within the 500-feet limit,” Walters said.

The neighbors have had some problems with golf course changes in the past. Castner said she has called the golf course when the maintenance crew mows before 7 a.m. Walters said last year the club removed trees on their side of the river. Walters was told not to remove trees on his property directly across the river because of shoreland zoning restrictions.

Noise is another concern.

“I don’t think it’s pleasant at all. We already live on the course and hear tee-off on hole number two every 15 minutes on a busy day, but to have potentially 25 people all swing at once – it’s an undesirable situation,” Walters said.

Other concerns from Castner include adding a time for the range house to close and determining whether it will be used for weddings or other social functions.

“The course is not lit, it’s limited by when people go out and daylight, they could drive balls until dusk,” said Tad Redway, Arundel planner. “The facility is not geared toward functions. It’s too small.”

Board of appeals members, citing the land use ordinance, agreed with the planning board on each of Castner’s six issues. Only Roland Drew supported the appeal.

“It is very disappointing, I was surprised there wasn’t more discussion of issues, it seemed predetermined,” Castner said after the meeting.

Castner’s lawyer, Paul Cadigan, said they have not decided whether to appeal to Superior Court. He has 45 days to file an appeal on her behalf once he receives the written ruling by the zoning board of appeals.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.

Main Street to get wider after outcry (Printed July 23, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-23T15:21:00Z

By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff Writer

Complaints about the downtown revitalization project in Kenenbunk will shave one foot off new sidewalks that protrude into streets.

Selectmen approved changes July 13 that would reduce the size of the rounded sidewalk extensions that already have been constructed at intersections.

Many residents, including retired engineer Roger Rydin, spoke out about problems they have seen with the design intended to make the area more pedestrian-friendly. Ryden described the extensions as “engineered traffic hazards.”

Town Engineer Chris Osterrieder said the changes will add an estimated $10,000 to the project, which will come from a contingency fund set up for the project.

Downtown Implementation Committee Chairman Bob Georgitits said the extensions were added to provide better vantage points for pedestrians to look for oncoming traffic. He also said the extensions shorten the distance people walk from one sidewalk to the other and helps people with mobility problems.

The extensions have been added on the east side of the street, but have yet to be installed on the other side of Main Street.

Osterrieder said the new design would create two, 12-foot travel lanes and eight feet for parallel parking stalls and the extensions, which line up with the end of the parking area.

The previously approved designed called for 11-foot travel lanes with nine feet for parallel parking stalls and the extensions.

Osterrieder said he could look into taking the extensions completely out of the project, but Selectman John Kotsonis disagreed.

“We can’t take out the bump-outs (extensions),” he said. “The project would have to stop and go back to the voters.”

Shaving off one foot is not a significant enough change to warrant a re-vote, Kotsonis said.

Fire Chief Steve Nichols and Police Chief Bob MacKenzie said they did not believe the extensions represent a public safety hazard.

“Using our biggest engine we could move down Grove Street,” Nichols said. “It took up about three-quarters of the other lane coming out. Our trucks are big, no question about it.”

Nichols said depending on the time of day and traffic, the fire department may use back roads to get around Main Street, if the road is particularly congested from construction and summer traffic.

MacKenzie said he didn’t see the extensions as an issue for the police department. MacKenzie said he and other residents were concerned about the appearance of the extensions, although he said he no longer has such concerns after seeing completed parts of the project.

Kennebunk Public Works Director Mike Claus said plow trucks would be able to get around the sidewalks during winter.

Saco put in extensions five years ago, said Saco Public Works Director Michael Bolduc. He said that while the city hasn’t heard complaints since the 8-foot wide extensions were built, they are difficult to plow in the winter. Bolduc said the city uses hand-held street sweepers instead of plows to clean around sidewalks.

“They won’t work on every street, but if you have a downtown area they are pretty OK,” Bolduc said.

Claus said the department may use one big truck to move most snow and one smaller one-ton truck to clean up around sidewalks and between the extensions.

“We can’t do it with just a wing and a plow, we may have to try some new things, but I don’t think it’s much of an issue,” Claus said.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.

Letter: Hunting is not disturbing (Printed July 23, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-23T15:17:00Z

To the editor:

In response to “Disturbed by gun shots,” (July 16, page 10) let me assure you that most hunters do not break the law and trespass on posted property.

Most have permission to hunt where they do, as all property owners may do with their land as they see fit. It’s one of the freedoms we enjoy in this country, isn’t it? Just as some may choose to manage it, others may choose to feed wild animals in their front yards.

You may be interested to know that sort of activity will attract all sorts of wildlife. This may include but not be limited to hunters who may observe that all the animals are flocking to one location because of a newly introduced food source.

If you find the sound of gunshots alarming, perhaps you could invest your time in an introduction to physics. You may find the sounds you are hearing are not as close as you assume. They could be coming from more than a mile away.

Lastly, I will say that before you develop a strong opinion about and against hunting, you should educate yourself on its benefits to local wildlife and their habitats. It’s not just about the hunt itself, or the “trophy” redeemed. It’s about enjoying the outdoors with friends and family and ensuring further generations the same through managing overpopulated species and preserving and protecting our beautiful state and all of its inhabitants – whether they walk on two feet or four.

Have you ever seen a rabid fox dying of starvation or a coyote suffering from mange?

Now that is disturbing.

Bryce Jones

Arundel

Many to thank for tour (Printed July 23, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-23T15:14:00Z

To the editor:

The Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County held the 16th annual “Private Gardens of the Kennebunks” garden tour July 17. This year more than 1,000 participants purchased tickets to support the programs at the council.

The council thanks each garden owner who volunteered to have their garden on display. These individuals are to be commended for their dedication to children with the many hours they spent preparing their masterpieces. Each garden with its own design attracted participants from all over New England.

Paul Parent is applauded for advertising the tour on his radio show. This year the council pre-sold a record of 400 tickets. Paul and his family also spent hours preparing their garden for the tour and we greatly appreciated support.

To our sponsors, Estabrook’s Color Spot, Digital Research Inc., Libby, O’Brien, Kingsley and Champion LLC, Genest Concrete Works, Inc., Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution, Captain Lord Mansion, Drs. Kerry and Mary Ellen Connell, Lucas on 9 and Kennebunk Center for Dentistry, we sincerely appreciate your support.

To the volunteers who prepared the materials days before the event; those who sold tickets or welcomed participants at the individual gardens and chairmen Carolyn Broad, Maureen Raiter and Jane Smith, we could not have been prepared without your commitment.

To the neighbors of the garden owners, thank you for your patience. As a community, you may never know what your contribution to the council provides to the children in York County. As staff, we see the evaluations that are returned from the children after each program. On the evaluation for “Break the Silence” a fifth grade program, a question reads: “What did you learn from this lesson that you didn’t know before the presentation?” A young girl replied, “That other kids have been abused the same way as me.”

We cannot forget the children in York County. Thank you to all of you that participated in the garden tour this year – you are helping children to be free from abuse and free to grow.

Laurie DuPaul

Executive director, Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County

Letter: Saving the flowers (July 23, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-23T15:11:00Z

To the editor:

The Kennebunk Downtown Committee would like to extend a warm thank you to J. Mark Gary from Better Homes And Gardens Real Estate The Masiello Group for donating lilies to the George Shaw Memorial Garden.

Due to the downtown construction, it was necessary to move the flowers from its spot on Main Street.

We also appreciate the assistance from Brex Construction who removed the lilies, Shelley Wigglesworth for her time and hard work planting them and Sal Gebbia for his help in getting the project underway.

Linda Johnson

Kennebunk Downtown Committee

Order stays middle school choice (Printed July 16, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-16T15:20:00Z

By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff Writer

An arbitrator for RSU 21 and Thornton Academy has ruled Arundel students can’t enroll in Middle School of the Kennebunks until a contract dispute is settled.

As of July 6, RSU 21 officials had received 19 requests from Arundel parents for their children to attend Middle School of the Kennebunks next year. The students’ names have been placed on a waiting list, according to RSU 21 Superintendent Andrew Dolloff.

On June 21 the district’s school board voted unanimously to allow up to 15 Arundel students in each grade to switch middle schools.

The families’ names have not been released due to confidentiality concerns.

“By its action, the (school) board is not looking to detract from Thornton Academy Middle School or its staff; we’re simply trying to provide parents who live in the district with opportunity to choose the public school that exists within the district, and we’re pleased to be able to do that,” Dolloff said in a July 6 press release.

RSU 21 board members also unanimously agreed at the meeting to terminate a contract with Thornton Academy to educate Arundel’s middle school children. The contract is to end before the 2011 school year, however the policy that allows students to choose Middle School of the Kennebunk begins a year sooner. At issue is whether that decision itself violates the contract.

High school students may choose to attend Thornton Academy or Kennebunk High School.

Once the contract is terminated, parents will maintain the option to send their children to Thornton Academy for middle school without paying tuition.

Thornton Academy representatives asked arbitrator Patrick Coughlan to prohbit RSU administration from accepting any further requests for students to be placed on a waiting list or moving forward with any requests it received so far. District officials said they are honoring the order. RSU officials had indicated they will wait to decide which students will be allowed to make the switch until later this summer.

Eleven of the requests are from parents of sixth-grade students, five are from parents of seventh-grade students and three are from parents of eighth-grade students. They total 12 percent of Arundel’s middle school population.

At the heart of the argument is the word “all” in the contract RSU 21 inherited from the defunct Arundel school board that requires “the Academy (to agree) to educate all middle level pupils who qualify as legal residents of Arundel.”

According to Carl Stasio, Thornton Academy headmaster, the contract is clear that all students from Arundel must attend Thornton Academy Middle School.

“All means all, you can’t pick 15 kids in each grade, that would be a violation of the contract,” Stasio said.

Dorothy Gregoire, an Arundel parent, said the intent was to ensure Thornton Academy did not cherry-pick students by denying children with special needs a place at the private school and now the school is asserting a different intent.

Stasio dismissed that interpretation.

“Frankly that’s absurd. All meant all and it still means all. We were going to take special education kids period. That’s invented by folks who may want to cast aspersions. The biggest department in Thornton Academy is the special education department,” he said.

Debra Gorton is happy she may be able to send her children to Middle School of the Kennebunks after elementary school.

“We actually had one daughter who attended Thornton Academy Middle School, and we didn’t have any major complaints, but it makes no sense to drive half an hour for her extra curricular activities. I’m extremely happy with (RSU 21). Its just makes a better fit for us,” Gorton said.

Gregoire agreed that staying inside the district was better for her children as well.

“(RSU) is the district school system which my tax money goes to,” Gregoire said. “I’ve been longing for something like this, some sense of community, a sense of belonging, instead of bouncing around.”

Jon Renell, an Arundel parent, feels the $1.2 million buyout of the contract is a hefty price to pay for a few students.

“To spend $1.2 million for 19 kids is a huge waste of taxpayers’ money. It’s $55,000 per child. How much are they going to save? Where is the savings?” Renell asked.

Dolloff was on vacation and could not be reached for comment regarding the financial aspect of the decision.

In previous discussions, RSU 21 officials said savings would come through a combination of tuition savings and greater efficiency within the district that will have a cumulative effect as children who attend Middle School of the Kennebunks will be more likely to choose Kennebunk High School over Thornton Academy.

Renell added the buyout might benefit Thornton to improve the school and possibly draw the families back.

Thornton Academy invested $3 million to transform one of its buildings on campus into the middle school to accommodate Arundel sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students as the student body grew too large for Mildred L. Day School in Arundel. That investment was used to help determine the value of the 10-year contract that began in 2006. The contract contains a provision for a buyout with a price that drops annually.

Arbitration is set to begin on July 26 and lasts three days.

A decision will likely be reached in early August.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.

Goat Island adventure (Printed July 16, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-16T15:14:00Z

By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff Writer

One five-minute ride on a small boat was all it took to transport three children from bustling Kennebunkport to desolate Goat Island.

For one week in July and another in August, children are invited to explore the island only three-quarters of a mile off Cape Porpoise Pier.

The trips are part of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust’s Discovery Days, which takes children off the beaten path during summer to explore the town’s history and teach children about nature right outside in their own back yards.

Monday’s trip provided Trevor Fecko, 6, and Sydney Brown, 7, their first trip to Goat Island.

Brown’s older brother, Lucas Brown, 9, enjoyed the trip so much last year he was back for a second and helped answer questions from lighthouse keeper Scott Dombrowski and his wife, Karen. Also along for the tour were Fecko’s grandfather Bob Loiselle and the Brown’s father, Ricky.

The Dombrowskis have kept watch over the lighthouse for 19 years, Karen Dombrowski said, and have lived on the island for the last seven summers.

Lucas Brown explained to the other children that a lighthouse is used to guide ships in fog. Scott Dombrowski said that was the main function, but a lighthouse can also be used to tell ships where they are.

“The light flashes once every six seconds, when you see the light flashing every six seconds you look at a chart. No two light houses flash the same,” Scott Dombrowski said

By figuring out where it is in relation to a specific lighthouse, a ship’s crew can use sea charts to determine the depth of water around it.

Even with modern technology, the ocean can still be dangerous. The previous lighthouse keeper, Richard E. Curtis, died in 2002 after his boat capsized near the island during a storm.

Last summer Scott Dombrowski helped save a boat from being stuck in sharp ledges between Goat Island and the mainland, although he said the most common accidents occur with kayakers.

“We still help save people,” Scott Dombrowski said.

During the trip, the children learned the history of the island and lighthouse, now owned by the trust.

Scott Dombrowski showed the children the old boat house, where an antiquated machine that helped pull boats from the water is displayed, and the oil house, where fuel was kept to keep the beacon lit. In 1990, Goat Island became the last lighthouse to become automated, but in the same year was the first in Maine to have an LED light and solar panel installed.

“It’s like living on a farm out here, you’re always pushing, pulling hauling and fixing something,” Scott Dombrowski said.

While the original lighthouse and keeper’s house established in 1833 no longer exist – they were rebuilt in 1859 – the island will see some improvements expected to recapture how the island looked 60 years ago.

Scott Dombrowski said when he took over, he had to pick an era in which to model renovations to the buildings on the island.

He chose the 1950s and will soon begin building a true fog bell, which was used to warn sailors they were approaching an island.

The renovations will be paid by local donations and the occasional grant, such as the one used to build the dock.

“Basically we’re blessed to have really good local support,” Scott Dombrowski said.

So far, the one improvement made is a new dock, which unfortunately fell apart Sunday evening after some rogue waves knocked off the first two sections.

He also will build a new covered walkway from the keeper’s house to the lighthouse. The island had a covered walkway until 1978, but a large storm knocked it down.

Scott Dombrowski said the lighthouse keeper at the time, Marty Cain, now an Arundel planning board member, had just walked into the house when the wave crashed and washed it away.

In the last few decades the lighthouse has seen other interesting residents, including the Secret Service, which gutted the keepers house during George H.W. Bush’s presidency. The island has a good view of the Bush compound.

And there may be another new keeper before too long.

“I want to live here,” Fecko said to his grandfather while picking up sea glass and broken buoys at the end of the tour, when the children were given time to look for seashells and arrowheads from Indians who lived on the island long ago.

Sydney Brown does not agree that living on the island would be fun.

“Yeah, I was scared,” she said of being inside the lighthouse.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.

County’s applicants fail state marijuana dispensary test (Printed July 16, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-16T14:56:00Z

By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

State officials will again accept applications for a York County medical marijuana dispensary after six applicants failed to meet minimum requirements for licensure.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced July 9 the selection of three nonprofit corporations to dispense medical marijuana in six of the state’s eight public heath districts. Voters in November approved the medical use of marijuana for patients certified by physicians and registered with the state.

Cathy Cobb, director of the division of licensing and regulatory services for the Department of Health and Human Services, said applicants for District 1 in York County failed to meet the minimum score of 70 required to be considered for licensing. No applicant was chosen for District 7, which includes Washington and Hancock counties.

Cobb said it was common for rejected applications to lack the level of security state officials wanted and some did not have a clear mission. Those applicants may revise and resubmit plans to the state by Aug. 20.

“We felt they needed to do a lot more work,” Cobb said.

A total of 27 applicants were reviewed by a four-member panel. Cobb said applicants were scored in areas including security, access, supply, experience, staffing and education. All dispensaries must be nonprofit and pay an annual $15,000 license fee.

The top-scoring applicant in District 1 was Ahead Care of Cottage Street in Sanford, which missed the minimum score by five points. The Green Market Inc. of Saco received 45 points and an application from Maine Wellness Group of Saco was not scored.

The Northeast Patients Group was chosen to run dispensaries in District 2 (Cumberland County), District 4 (Waldo, Lincoln, Sagadahoc and Knox counties), District 5 (Somerset and Kennebec counties) and District 6 (Piscataquis and Penobscot counties).

Safe Alternatives of Fort Kent will operate the District 8 dispensary in Aroostook County and Remedy Compassion Center will run a facility in District 3, which includes Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin counties.

Cobb, who was part of the panel that evaluated applicants, said she was impressed by the levels of security proposed for dispensaries. Plans included fences, around-the-clock security, special sensors, restricted access for employees and measures to ensure safety of patients using the dispensary, she said.

“I think the public is going to be impressed with the security,” she said. “I was really surprised at the extent of the security systems. They’re really very conscious about the fact the information they have is very confidential.”

In addition to security, panel members evaluated the mission of each applicant, Cobb said. The panel eliminated plans that seemed to be “get rich quick schemes,” she said.

Cobb said she expects 2,200 patients to be registered for medical marijuana by the second year. Patients must pay an annual registry fee of $100 ($75 if on MaineCare) and carry an ID card. An ounce of marijuana will cost $200 to $400, though the state will not regulate prices, she said.

Saco Development Director Peter Morelli said the delay in naming a York County dispensary will mean local zoning ordinance amendments will be approved before a final location is chosen by state officials.

The Saco City Council held a public hearing July 6 about proposed zoning ordinance amendments for marijuana dispensaries. No one spoke at the public hearing and the council is expected to vote on the changes July 19, Morelli said.

The proposed changes, approved May 18 by the planning board, call for dispensaries to be located in business zones. The zoning makes distinctions for dispensaries that sell medicinal marijuana and facilities that also grow marijuana. Dispensaries that grow marijuana would be located in industrial and highway zones that provide more space and fewer residents, Morelli said.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.

Mammouth meal attracts TV attention (Printed July 16, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-16T14:44:00Z

By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff writer

The Tradewinds Café may be a small restaurant but it boasts a big eating challenge that brought a Travel Channel personality to the Arundel eatery.

Adam Richman, host of “Man v. Food,” came to the café to take on the “Mani-meal (Manimal) Challenge,” a four-pound meal of Tradewinds’ food favorites.

During the 20-minute time limit for the challenge, Richman had to consume two coleslaw or sauerkraut hot dogs, an eight-patty cheeseburger stacked sky-high with grilled onions, a one-pound milkshake made of butter pecan ice cream and homemade coffee cake chunks courtesy of Mother Futcher and to top it all off, a can of Moxie soda.

Eleven people have tried so far and only four have won.

Owners Deena “Mary” Eskew and Brian “Hoss” Coddens, have owned the café for two years since they happened to see the “for rent” sign after a day shopping at the outdoor market behind the café.

“We had no money to start it and we both had great jobs but we knew we could do it,” Eskew said.

They opened “on a song and a prayer” three weeks after seeing the sign and each season the restaurant has become more popular.

Local favorites include the all-day breakfast, a haddock sandwich and burgers such as The Hypocrite, a veggie burger with cheese, topped with bacon, The Foghorn Leghorn, a junior cheeseburger topped with chicken fingers and of course, stackable cheeseburgers.

The Mani-meal Challenge originated after some local boys tried to out-do each other by asking Eskew and Coddens to stack their cheeseburgers higher – from four patties to five and so on until one boy said he could outdo them all by asking for an ocho-patty burger, consisting of eight patties, according to Eskew.

“On the menu we have the junior, the triple, the quarter, we’ll always add to it. It just grew up to it, but we usually don’t get ochos,” she said.

Eskew said after a food critic wrote an article in a local paper, she got a call from the Travel Channel asking if she would be interested in having her restaurant appear on the show. Richman happened to be in the area for a wedding and was interested in the challenge.

Richman tours the country looking for food challenges, whether it is some of the hottest wings in the country, called “Suicide Wings” at Buffalo Cantina in Brooklyn, N.Y., or consuming a 72-ounce steak with a salad, shrimp cocktail, baked potato and dinner roll in less than an hour in Texas.

But did he prevail in the Mani-meal Challenge?

“I can’t tell you that!” Eskew said, “You’ll have to watch the show.”

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.

Painters descend on ’Port for benefit (Printed July 16, 2010)

Post Editor — 2010-07-16T13:51:00Z

By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff Writer

Kennebunkport transformed into the canvas for a free art show Sunday as 50 local artists went outdoors to paint, draw and color their favorite scenes in town.

The event, Paint the Port, is the longest running outdoor art event and auction in Maine. This marks its sixth year, according to Barry Kramer, president of Heartwood College of Art.

After artists spent six hours working during the day, the finished products were auctioned at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport to raise money for Heartwood College of Art.

“We really – aside from needing to raise funds – wanted to keep artists involved in the school,” said Susan Wilder, dean of admissions for Heartwood.

Kramer said 50 percent of the money raised will go to the artist while the rest to the college – the same split an artist could expect if the work was sold through a gallery. She described the daylong effort as part fun, part work and part “sporting event” because she said it can be extremely difficult.

Wilder agreed.

“The light changes, the water changes, you have to merge everything,” she said.

The event drew 54 artists, although they were allowed to hand in a project up to a week in advance because of a scheduling issue and the always-present chance of inclement weather.

Artist Janet Ledoux experienced difficulties while painting at Cape Porpoise Pier, but it wasn’t the light – or lack thereof – it was the parking.

“There tend to be rapidly changing conditions of weather, extremely challenging and unexpected surprises, like someone parking in front of your spot and your lack of control,” Ledoux explained.

Ledoux said she participated in at least the last four Paint the Port events, and while she couldn’t remember every painting, she certainly remembered her first.

“The first one was horrible, I scraped it off and I started another one. Normally with a bad painting you can just do another one,” she said.

Ledoux wasn’t happy with the second painting either, and almost didn’t go to the auction. The painting did sell that year but she learned to take the pressure off herself by just accepting what happens during the day – like the parked cars.

It was the commonly fickle Maine weather that challenged three Heartwood College students sitting in Dock Square as dark clouds began rolling overhead.

“We did this last year, it was horribly rainy” said Joanna Plante, sitting on a bench next to where her mother, Ann Plante, painted the mid-section of the square.

Joanna Plante said aside from just learning to sketch fast in case of rain, she also learned not to be too intimidated painting alongside other artists who had been doing it for years.

Jenette Ross, another student, said she was not worried about the weather or the constant line of people looking over her shoulder.

“I’m planning on enjoying every minute of this. I love how it brings artists of the community together,” she said.

Heartwood College focuses on making a community of artists throughout Southern Maine and invite those artists back into the college to teach classes or host galleries.

Currently, 14 students are enrolled in the school’s master of fine arts program and 16 undergraduate students attend the college. All are guided by a revolving door of full-time artists turned professors. including Shirley Kent, DeWitt Hardy Jayne Adams and Wade Zahares.

“Every one of our professors is a working artist. That’s how they make their living,” Kramer said.

The private, nonprofit school relies on fundraising events such as Paint the Port to make up 10 to 15 percent of the budget. Donations, tuition and grants make up the rest.

While Kennebunkport will have to wait another year to see a slew of artists outdoors painting the town, local artists, including Kramer, spend hours outside surveying and painting the scenery even when it’s not for charity.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.