Nov. 5, 2013 Elections: Municipal and state referendums, ordinance changes, candidates
Voters go to the polls Nov. 5 to consider five statewide ballot questions, and various individual municipal warrant articles. Following are election previews and recent issue stories for Knox and Waldo counties, as well as a rundown of the bond issues voters across the state are being asked to decide.
View a list of polling places and town contacts here: Knox County, Waldo County
As polls close election night, results will be posted on PenBayPilot.com as they are reported for Knox and Waldo counties. Stay tuned.
Belfast Police beat
BELFAST — The Belfast Police Department reported the following activity Jan. 22-30. An arrest or summons does not imply guilt.
Jan. 23
Steven D. Davis, 18, of Troy, was issued a summons for reckless conduct on Lincolnville Avenue.
Jonathan W. Walsh, 25, of Searsmont, was issued a summons for theft by unauthorized taking or transfer at Belfast Variety, stemming from an incident Jan. 6.
Jan. 25
Ronald W. Tower, 58, of Belfast,… Read more
Maine State Police Troop D beat
AUGUSTA — Maine State Police Troop D reported the following activity Jan. 12-26. Troop D is responsible for Maine's Midcoast, including Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Waldo, and Knox counties, the southern half of Kennebec County and part of northern Cumberland County. The troop also patrols Interstate 295, from Brunswick to Gardiner. The troop's complement includes a lieutenant, three sergeants, 25 troopers and a secretary. An arrest or summons does not imply guilt.
Jan. 12
… Read moreBelfast District Court closed cases
BELFAST — The following cases were closed in Belfast District Court Jan. 1-8.
Sarah Alves, 37, of Unity, operating a vehicle without a license in Untiy Oct. 20, $100 fine.
Carl A.Burch, 43,of Ellsworth, attaching false plates in Stockton Springs Oct. 10, $150 fine; violating conditions of release in Stockton Springs Oct. 10, $200 fine.
Ronald A. Cook II, 34, of Searsport, possession of marijuana up to 1.25 oz in Winterport Nov. 7, $250 fine.
Traeey Cushman, 28, of… Read more
Downtown Belfast quiet as storm passes through
BELFAST - One business was open.
Inside Rollie’s Bar and Grill, a half-dozen patrons leaned into their tables. They talked, occasionally glancing up at television screens that outnumbered them two-to-one. Sports events in sunnier locales. The daily special had been temporarily rebranded to match the name given by The Weather Channel to the blizzard blowing silently beyond the plate glass windows at the front of the restaurant.
You could see it right there, … Read more
Former Belfast area superintendent hired for interim post in new five-town RSU 71
BELFAST - Under pressure to get through a laundry list of obligations in a short time, the RSU 71 board of directors hired former RSU 20 leader Bruce Mailloux as interim superintendent until the July 1 launch of the new five-town district.
Mailloux retired from RSU 20 in 2012 and currently works part-time as superintendent for Vinalhaven. The RSU 71 board on Monday voted unanimously to hire him through July 1 at a rate of $500 per day with a maximum compensation of $25,000.
That… Read more
Waldo County reentry success story: From convict to teacher
BELFAST — The Maine Coastal Regional Reentry Center is charged with helping ex-convicts with their transition out of incarceration and back into the general public.
The Reentry Center, which is located in Belfast, serves Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo and Washington counties. The facility can house up to 60 adult males, all of whom are required to meet certain criteria to qualify. These qualifications include being within 18 months of release and being at a moderate to high… Read more
RSU 71 board takes stock at unofficial first meeting
BELFAST - The board of directors for the newly-created Regional School Unit 71 met for the first time Tuesday. The unofficial “organizational meeting” included discussion of everything from when and where future meetings should be held to whom the board should hire as interim superintendent and when.
With the first official meeting still a week away, the nine-member board was limited in the actions it could take.… Read more
Oakland Park Lanes under new ownership
ROCKPORT — Family or group activities are hard to come by in Maine sometimes, especially when the weather turns cold. Candlepin bowling is a great way to treat yourself and your family to some fun that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, or require a second mortgage on the house to enjoy. Jason and Pam Kaler recently purchased Oakland Park Lanes Bowling at 732 Commercial Street in Rockport this past December. And that is where this story begins.
“Bowling has always been a passion of mine,”… Read more
Police say ‘Felony Lane Gang’s’ reach is wide
BELFAST — Belfast Police say they were alerted to the connection between a recently burglarized local vehicle and a multi-state theft ring known as the Felony Lane Gang due to the method of using outer drive-through lanes of banks in the crimes.
"The checks [that were stolen from a vehicle in Belfast] were deposited to an account… Read more
Voters elect school board for new Belfast-based RSU 71
BELFAST - Voters in the city and four surrounding towns picked slate of fresh faces to lead their new school district, RSU 71. In elections held Jan. 13, newcomers prevailed over current and past school board members in every contest where voters had a choice.
The new nine-member board will be composed of five directors from Belfast and one each from Belmont, Morrill, Searsmont and Swanville. Seven of those chosen on Tuesday have not previously served on area school… Read more
Why Searsport should reject the scrap metals proposal
[Editor’s note: the letter concerns a proposal from Grimmell Industries Inc. to locate a staging area for scrap ferrous metal inside the marine terminal at Mack Point. The metal would be brought to the site by truck then transferred to ships for export]
In addition to the many obvious problems associated with hosting a large-scale scrap… Read more
Searsport planning board tables scrap yard application
SEARSPORT - The Searsport Planning Board on Monday heard two descriptions of a proposal by Topsham-based Grimmell Industries Inc. to create a scrap metal staging area at Mack Point marine terminal. Company representatives painted a picture of pristine, softball-sized pieces of shredded steel shuttled discreetly to an area out of reach of public disturbance. Opponents who attended the public hearing at Union Hall anticipated a convoy of trucks fumbling steel pieces sharp enough… Read more
Belfast Police Department beat
BELFAST — The Belfast Police Department reported the following activity Dec. 2 - Jan. 6. An arrest or summons does not imply guilt.
Nov. 18 (late entry)
Katrina R.L. Stalter, 18, of Dexter, was issued a summons for assault.
Dec. 2
Jade E. Cummings, 20, of Northport, was issued a summons for theft on Church Street.
Dec. 8
Paul Belden, 57, of Belfast, was issued a summons for criminal trespassing on Swan… Read more
Waldo County deed transfers
BELFAST — The following deed transfers were recorded in the Waldo County Registry of Deeds Dec. 1-23.
Belfast
Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County Inc. to Kimberly Wood.
Eugene J. Kirby Living Trust to Karen Marciante.
Rosemary R. Prescott-Jones to Robert F. Prescott Jr.
Jerry and Jerry B. Savitz to Gail E. and Jerry B. Savitz.
Richard J. Brown to Lianne S. and Walter J. Harris Jr.
Paul A. Diamantopoulos to Diamantopoulos Family… Read more
Belfast District Court closed cases
BELFAST — The following cases were closed in Belfast District Court Dec. 24-30.
Harley Dean, 24, of Appleton, possession of marijuana up to 1.25 oz in Lincolnville Nov. 9, dismissed; use of drug paraphernalia in Lincolnville Nov. 9, $300 fine.
James Dooling, 45, of Belfast, operating while license suspended or revoked in Belfast Oct. 8, dismissed.
Darrin E. Dyer, 47, of Clinton, criminal trespassing in Troy Oct. 25, $… Read more
Belfast District Court closed cases
BELFAST — The following cases were closed in Belfast District Court Dec. 16-23.
Sean R. Anderson, 33, of Liberty, operating while license suspended or revoked in Waldo Sept. 20, $750 fine; operating while license suspended or revoked in Liberty Sept. 7, $500 fine; use of drug paraphernalia in Waldo Sept. 20, dismissed; possession of marijuana up to 1.25 oz in Waldo Sept. 20, dismissed.
Stephen J. Bara, 69, of Waldo, failure to register a vehicle in Searsport Oct. 10, $150 fine.… Read more
Belfast District Court closed cases
BELFAST — The following cases were closed in Belfast District Court Dec. 1-7.
Deanna M. Carfango, 23, of Sangerville, operating while license suspended or revoked in Belfast Sept. 14, dismissed; obscuring motor vehicle plate marks in Belfast Sept. 14, $150 fine.
David P. Carlow, 24, of Waterville, night hunting in Knox Nov. 10, three days in jail, $1,000 fine; possession of an unregistered deer in Knox Nov. 10, three days in jail.
Brian Carroll, 29, of Swanville, violating… Read more
Waldo County deed transfers
BELFAST — The following deed transfers were recorded Nov. 9-18 in the Waldo County Registry of Deeds.
Belfast
Moorings Oceanfront Resort Inc. to Nester Family Properties LLC.
Angela Domenichelli to Margaret E. and Luke Harrington.
Grace L. Dodge to Grace L. Dodge Irrevocable Real Estate Trust.
Mark and Nancy Bossi to Janet and John Arrison.
Irene A. Marshall to Stephanie E. and David W. Karsten.
Miles D. and Mary F. Gray to Rinda C.… Read more
Waldo County deed transfers
BELFAST — The following deed transfers were recorded Nov. 1-8 in the Waldo County Registry of Deeds.
Belfast
Crow Star Corporation to Crusty Crab LLC.
Therese B. Swebilius to Angela and Douglas Domenichelli.
Brooks
Jeffrey L., Michael J., Steven J., George G. Jr., and Cynthia Marsankis and Kathryn Gambee to Steven J. and Marilyn Marsankis.
Burnham
Debra A. Dettor to Timothy M. Conmee.
In Belfast, candidates line up to serve on new RSU 71 school board
BELFAST - In special elections next Tuesday, voters in five towns will choose members for the inaugural Regional School Unit 71 board of directors.
Several contested races in the new district suggest a change from the rote reappointments and half empty ballots that have characterized recent elections in RSU 20, the eight-town district that the five RSU 71… Read more
St. Negritude picked to be Belfast’s poet laureate
BELFAST - Toussaint St. Negritude has lived in a lot of places, but none that valued poetry as much. On Tuesday the City Council unimously voted to appoint him as poet laureate of Belfast.
“It really is something we shouldn’t take for granted,” he said. “I haven’t seen it anywhere else.”
Not in San Francisco where he hails… Read more
Camden-Rockport students raise funds to get to Japan
CAMDEN — It’s coming up on that time when students from Japan arrive to spend a week at Camden-Rockport Middle School and a short time later, students from the middle school will make their own journey to Japan. In preparation for that trip, parents and students are focused on fundraising to come up with the $35,000 needed to finance the students’ trip to Japan.
Rebecca Graham is the Japan Exchange coordinator. Ten students from Japan visit Camden in the winter and then in April, 10… Read more
Athenahealth’s minor expansion belies major growth in Belfast
BELFAST — Athenahealth got city approval last month to convert the interior of warehouse next to the company’s main building into offices and a new “Operations Lodge” for mail processing. A nearby parking area would be expanded to add 45 spaces.
Taken alone, it’s an unremarkable project. Most of the construction will happen inside the garage-like interior of the building, which will be divided into two floors. The… Read more
Knox County deed transfers
ROCKLAND — The following deed transfers were recorded in Knox County Superior Court Sept. Nov. 1 - Dec. 10.
Appleton
Robert Leroy Milliken and Glenna Louise Milliken to Philip J. Huening and Courtney S. McCormick.
Wells Fargo Bank NA, Michael T. Sharratt, Jean Sharratt and Michael Sharratt to Wells Fargo Bank NA.
Camden
Camden Affordable Housing Organization to Lupine Terrace Homeowners Association.
Camden Gardens Inc. to… Read more
Carpenter won’t stay with RSU 20 after ‘dissolution’
BELFAST - Regional School Unit 20 Superintendent Brian Carpenter submitted his resignation on Monday. His last day will be June 30, 2015. The date marks the end of his current contract. And in Carpenter’s view, it also represents the end of the district he was hired to serve.
“Dissolution of the RSU,” he said, Tuesday, when asked why he was… Read more
Samoset General Manager Connie Russell on WRFR
ROCKLAND — Tune into WRFR 99.3 FM Camden or 93.3 FM Rockland Monday, Dec. 8, at 7 a.m. for Chris Wolf’s thrice-weekly show with news from PenBayPilot.com. Or, stream it live from WRFR.org.
His guest Monday morning will be Connie Russell, general… Read more
Wreathed inside and out at Belfast’s First Church
BELFAST - Dawn Voigt stood in the kitchen of the Parish House at First Church, bearing down on a tangle of red ribbon and wire. Ten minutes and a couple good stories later, she held up a bow for a holiday wreath. It was her 810th in two weeks and so perfect you could almost take it for granted.
There were still a dozen left to do that night, and though it was dark outside and everyone else had gone home Voigt wasn’t cutting any corners. … Read more
Christmas by the Sea: Camden woos crowd with an excellent parade
CAMDEN — Friday night brought the official start of Christmas by the Sea weekend, with the annual parade in Camden and lighting of the Christmas tree in Harbor Park. Songs and festivities abounded as shops were crowded and organizations lined the sidewalks for fundraising activities.
As the parade route got closer to downtown, the crowd of spectators was thick, with everybody vying to see the lighted floats and municipal vehicles. All told, there were 29 floats in this… Read more
Belfast Council gives green light to harbor reorganization, lake dredging
BELFAST - The City Council on Tuesday approved a plan to make more space for boats and marine commerce in the inner harbor. For now, that means swapping out the loose scattering of single-point moorings for a tight arrangement of floats with boats tying up on both sides. Doing this would increase the capacity of the inner harbor from 30 boats to roughly 50, according to Harbor Master Katherine Pickering.
Councilors raised some questions about whether the city should… Read more
Searsport students scope out their select board at rare midday meeting
SEARSPORT - At meeting of the Select Board, Tuesday, Chairman Aaron Fethke noted that it felt a little like July. The comment was a reference to the sunlight creeping around the drawn curtains of Union Hall and the fact the Select Board always — really always — meets at 7 p.m.
The room was also filled with schoolchildren, which either made it feel more like summer or less. But in any case, it was for them, a group of two dozen fifth-graders from Searsport Elementary School, that the… Read more