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.
RSU 3 accepts Palermo students, pending withdrawal
UNITY - Students from Palermo could attend high school in Regional School Unit 3 in the future, provided the town successfully withdraws from its current school district, RSU 12.
On Feb. 10, the The RSU 3 board of directors, conditionally approved a 10-year contract with the Town of Palermo School Department that would make Mount View High School the town’s official “school of record.” The board favored the agreement by a vote of 8-2.
Palermo residents voted last December to… Read more
Belfast’s unnamed marching band takes a first step
BELFAST - The Colonial Theatre was officially closed, but in the old cinema in the rear of the building, a dozen people stared up at the big screen. Still images of awkward-looking high school bands appeared, accompanied by the familiar warble of brass instruments played under duress, and a printed question:
“Did you have fun playing music?”
There were chuckles from the seats. In the style… Read more
Waiting on the bus in downtown Camden for Snow Bowl fun
CAMDEN — A crowd was waiting on the bus in downtown Camden and looking forward to the fun at the Camden Snow Bowl Saturday, Feb. 8. The green shed placed on the street at the Village Green was manned by two ladies who collected the fee and handed out tickets. The line stretched from the street, through the Green and spilled out onto Chestnut Street.
One bus would arrive every 15 to 20 minutes and load with passengers for the short ride to the Snow Bowl. Ticket holders waited 20 minutes… Read more
Belfast, Camden students create change an ocean away
Belfast—Teloe Moore arrived in Belfast in late December. I met him on New Year’s Eve at the bonfire by the public landing. It was a frigid night, and even under a heavy coat, scarf, hat and gloves, he was shivering. One can hardly blame him: Born and raised in Liberia, he had never experienced temperatures below 70 degrees.
Moore was able to attend high school in his home country because of a scholarship… Read more
Belfast Planning board divided on splitting small properties, big houses
BELFAST - Charges of social engineering and classism featured in a lively Planning Board workshop, Wednesday night. Also mentioned were Jane Jacobs’ “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” and the Soviet Union.
The hot topic? Whether to reduce the minimum lot size in a densely populated area inside the bypass from 10,000 to 7,500 square feet.
The question, along with several others considered on Wednesday, is part of a larger review of zoning ordinances intended to align… Read more
In Belfast, RSU 20 board abandons consolidation plans
BELFAST - The Regional School Unit 20 board of directors voted overwhelmingly Tuesday, Jan. 28, to abandon plans for a major consolidation of the eight-town district.
The question was added to the agenda by a unanimous vote on a motion made by director Denise Dakin and seconded by director Sharon Catus, both of Stockton Springs.
The vote to discontinue any courses of action for the proposed reorganization was approved 14 to 3. All board members were present for the vote.… Read more
In Rockland, the evolving role of physical therapists
ROCKLAND — Kim and Michael Gallagher operate Continuum Physical Therapy at 91 Camden Street in Rockland. Both Kim and Michael hold advanced degrees in physical therapy. Michael holds an additional degree as an orthopaedic clinical specialist. Penobscot Bay Pilot spoke to the Gallaghers about what physical therapy involves.
PBP: Why would someone need physical therapy?
“It could be any number of reasons,” said Michael. “They could be having pain in some part of… Read more
White House auction attracts a crowd, no bidders
BELFAST - A public auction of the James P. White house on Tuesday attracted 20 people to the landmark mansion but failed to yield any private bids.
The 1840 Greek Revival-style home was run as The White House Inn, a bed and breakfast, since the late-1990s. Last December the property was foreclosed upon by The First N.A. bank.
Public records indicate that the last owner, Rich Enterprises Holdings LLC, borrowed $875,000 from The First to buy the property but ultimately defaulted,… Read more
Belfast manager: Municipal Revenue Sharing cuts shortsighted
BELFAST - In his office late last week, City Manager Joe Slocum pulled a calculator across his desk and produced a spreadsheet of the city budget.
A day earlier, he had attended a six-hour public hearing on proposed cuts to state’s Municipal Revenue Sharing program. He was exhausted, he said. Still, it didn’t take long for him to come up with an illustration of why he went, and how much is still be at stake.
“The fire department, our clerks office… Read more
On the off chance that every town withdraws from RSU 20 ...
BELFAST - It may sound like a bureaucratic koan, but with each of the eight municipalities of Regional School Unit 20 pursuing withdrawal from the district in some form, it seems fair to ask:
If every town leaves a school district, is anything left?
The scenario is still officially far-fetched. … Read more
Searsport, Stockton residents want better deal in RSU 20 consolidation
BELFAST - Residents of Searsport and Stockton Springs on Tuesday raised questions, aired suspicions, and above all appealed to the Regional School Unit 20 board of directors not to close the Searsport District Middle School and High School complex. The venue was a public forum on three plans that would consolidate and reorganization the district in an effort to save money.
Stagnant or decreasing state aid and rising costs have led to property tax… Read more
Belfast’s White House may go to auction later this month
BELFAST - The historic James P. White House, also known as the White House Inn, may be headed to auction later this month after the property was foreclosed upon late last year.
According to public records, The First N.A. bank was granted a judgment foreclosure on December 19 against Rich Enterprises Holdings LLC, the property owner since 2009. The document states that a public sale of the property will be conducted on site, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m. at 19… Read more
RSU 3 to keep the drivers, keep the schools, for now
UNITY - Talk of potential school closures and privatizing bus runs drew more than 100 people to Unity Elementary School Monday night for a meeting of the Regional School Unit 3 board of directors.
Both issues were being considered by officials of the 11-town Western Waldo County school district for potential cost savings.
RSU 3 has seen a steady decline in state general purpose aid over enough years that administrators have run out of obvious places… Read more
Searsport, Stockton Springs launch RSU 20 withdrawal bids
SEARSPORT, STOCKTON SPRINGS - Citizens in the only two Regional School Unit 20 towns that have yet to consider withdrawing from the district, launched campaigns over the weekend to do just that.
According to several residents who spoke to Penbaypilot.com, the coordinated petition drives came in response to a Jan. 9 meeting of the Think Tank — a multi-town advisory panel created by Belfast’s RSU 20 withdrawal committee — at which representatives voiced unanimous support for… Read more
Amid conflicting RSU 20 plans, Northport rises above the fray
NORTHPORT - With a large tax base for its 185 school age residents, Northport receives no money through the state’s Essential Programs and Services school funding formula, making it the one town in RSU 20 that may not be hanging on the actions of the districts two biggest players — the school board and the city of Belfast.
At Northport’s most recent RSU 20 withdrawal committee meeting, discussion centered around the potential of converting Edna Drinkwater Elementary into a… Read more
Seafood takeout in business park gets preliminary nod from Belfast Council
BELFAST - Maine Maritime Products processes and distributes seafood from a facility in the Belfast Business Park. The company also sells steamed lobsters and other fresh and frozen seafood from a small retail shop on the premises. In October, company president George Delaney approached the city planning office about what he thought was a minor addition to the business. As he described to the City Council on Tuesday night, he just wanted to take what he was already selling, “put it… Read more
Knox County Commissioners forum well attended; focus on animal control, IT, buying in bulk
ROCKLAND — Knox County Commissioners held an informal forum with municipalities of Knox County this afternoon, January 7, in the Commissioners' Hearing Room at the Knox County Courthouse.
Commissioner Roger Moody, of Camden, opened the forum, saying he got the idea for the forum from the Maine County Commissioners Association. This is the fifth forum to be held by the county commissioners since 2009.
"Everyone is under a financial squeeze," said Moody. "One of the things that we… Read more
Trackside, Lobster Shack take top honors in Chili Chowder Challenge
ROCKLAND — Moose, venison, brisket, lobster, scallops and crab were just a few of the ingredients found in 15 entries for the Rockland Fire Department’s Chili Chowder Challenge held Jan. 5 at Trackside Restaurant in Rockland. The event took place from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Attendees sampled chili and chowders from entrants and then voted for their favorite. Entries from individuals and restaurants could be just chili or chowder, or both.
2014 winners for the Rockland Fire Department Chili… Read more
Belfast issues precautions as icy conditions continue
BELFAST - A memo from the city manager’s office Thursday reminded residents that the ice storm is still here and may pose new problems as temperatures stay frigid over the next few days.
A list of guidelines, reproduced below, also addressed questions about what to expect from the city’s public works department:
• It is too cold to get the ice off the roads. Salt does not work at these temperatures. When it warms up we can use salt to loosen the ice and the grader to scrape it… Read more
Governor extends hours for fuel deliveries
AUGUSTA — On the last day of 2013, Dec. 31, Gov. Paul LePage signed emergency legislation allowing Maine fuel transport and delivery trucks to drive additional hours to ensure timely heating fuel deliveries during the unusually cold weather that is expected over the next several days. This is the second such proclamation the governor has made in the last 30 days. The legislation will expire Jan. 14.
The National Weather Service is calling for temperatures to be single digits to below… Read more
Camden restaurants closing: Graffam’s Harborside for good; Fresh until May, sign says
CAMDEN — Tuesday, Dec. 31, will be the final day for service at Graffam Brother's Harborside Restaurant at Bay View Landing on Camden Harbor. Kim Graffam and Leni Gronros, owners of Harborside, said they have enjoyed the time spent in business on the harbor, and will greatly miss both guests and their crew.
The time has come to close that portion of the business, they said in a press release.
In addition to the difficult financial climate which is affecting much of downtown… Read more
Holiday Cooking Tip: Peppered Scallop Salad
“I wanted a really peppery scallop salad. I love scallops, I love warm salads,” said Francine’s owner/chef Brian Hill. “This salad has two different notes of heat in it. We sear the scallops with cracked black pepper. We only sear them on one side. Then we make a chili dressing with pomelo and endive, both of which are in season now. Pomelo is a relative of the grapefruit. It’s drier and a lot sweeter, not so bitter. A lot of people dislike grapefruit, especially in salads, but pomelo, is… Read more
Red Cross provides comfort, cots to those in need
BELFAST — Christmas was memorable for 36 local residents who spent the day in a Red Cross shelter at Troy Howard Middle School. With temperatures in the teens, families without power, and without a wood stove or generator, needed a spot just to escape the cold. The Waldo County shelter was one of six open in different cities as of 9 a.m. Thursday morning. Other open shelters around the state included one in Androscoggin County, and others in Calais, Lewiston and Auburn.
Glenn Kaminsky… Read more
Holiday Cooking Tip: Cool Beet Salad, lives up to its name
Shepherd’s Pie, at 18 Central St. in Rockport, gives us a simple yet exceptionally tasty beet salad. Easy to make, it goes well with just about any dish. You’ll find it on the menu as Cool Beet Salad and it consists of hummus, grapefruit, tahini, sesame seeds, scallions and, of course, beets.
According to Mark Senders, head chef at Shepherd’s Pie, this salad is… Read more
Belfast area school board renews superintendent’s contract
BELFAST - The Regional School Unit 20 board of directors voted Wednesday to renew Superintendent Brian Carpenter’s contract for an additional year.
Twelve of the board’s 17 members attended the meeting, which had been rescheduled due to Tuesday night’s snow storm. The group deliberated behind closed doors for close to two hours before inviting Carpenter in for additional discussion.
In the public vote that followed, eight members of the board favored renewing Carpenter’s contract… Read more
Belfast District Court closed cases
BELFAST — The following cases were closed in Belfast District Court Nov. 12 – Dec. 3.
Zachary Barnett, 27, of Winterport, criminal mischief in Winterport Feb. 3, dismissed.
Dustin Beaulieu, 25, of Benton, unlawful use of migratory game birds hunting in Unity Oct. 5, $100 fine.
Joseph Bonaddio, 46, of Searsport, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer in Belfast Aug. 31, $500 fine; possession of revoked/fictitious/fraudulent… Read more
Belfast City Council OKs option on Front Street property
BELFAST - Following a closed door session on Tuesday night, the Belfast City Council voted to allow the city manager to enter an option-to-purchase agreement for a property on corner of Front and Pierce Streets.
The elevated 0.2-acre lot at 59 Bridge Street is probably best known for the crumbling rock retaining wall that separates it from Front Street on the inland side of the road.
City Planner Wayne Marshall said the purchase agreement with the owner Dan Clarke would be… Read more
Belfast’s ‘think tank’ enters a crowded school debate
BELFAST - Residents of Regional School Unit 20’s eight towns could be forgiven for not knowing where to look these days. Discussion by district administrators of consolidation within the school district has been lurching forward in fits and starts since plans were put forward in November.
At the same time, six municipalities are considering withdrawal from RSU 20 in what may or may not be a repeat of a prior unsuccessful bid. The Belfast City… Read more
Eric Buch of Belfast new project manager for Knox County Health Care initiative
ROCKLAND — The steering committee for Improving Access to Quality Care for Uninsured Individuals met Dec. 10 at the Maine Lighthouse Museum and among the news to come out of it was the group introduction of their new project manager. The group’s mission is to create a community and stakeholder engagement process that delivers a concrete, sustainable plan for providing high quality medical, dental, mental and substance abuse services for uninsured and under insured low-income individuals in… Read more
Camden board listens to more Fox Hill testimony, tables deliberations until Jan. 2
CAMDEN — After listening for three hours to more public and professional commentary on the merits or pitfalls of a proposed ordinance amendment enabling the Fox Hill alcohol treatment center, the Camden Planning Board agreed to schedule another meeting for its own internal conversation and final vote on the matter. That meeting will take place Jan. 2, 5 p.m., at the Camden Opera House.