Public input sought again on proposal for Freeport soccer complex
Feb 08, 2012 8:30 am
FREEPORT — A project kicked around in Freeport for more than a year will be discussed again at a Town Council public hearing on Feb. 28. The council on Tuesday unanimously agreed to hear public comment on the proposed indoor and outdoor athletic complex that Topsham-based nonprofit Seacoast United Soccer would like to build on town land west of Interstate 295.
Initial budget sees 3.4% tax hike in Yarmouth
Feb 08, 2012 7:40 am
YARMOUTH — Number-crunching season has arrived with the release of school and municipal draft budgets and workshops. Town Manager Nat Tupper presented a draft budget for fiscal 2013 detailing $10.6 million in spending, a 1.14 percent increase over the current budget. The municipal budget draft to be reviewed by councilors before it is presented at the annual Town Meeting on June 12 is part of a total anticipated budget of $31.8 million, that will include school spending and the town's share of Cumberland County operations.
Sanders to relinquish Yarmouth council seat
Feb 07, 2012 3:10 pm
YARMOUTH — Town Councilor Tim Sanders, elected in 2010, will resign his seat in June, with a year remaining in his three-year term. Sanders cited personal reasons for his resignation in a letter submitted at the Town Council workshop on Feb. 2. Councilors will vote to accept his resignation at their Feb. 16 meeting. Sanders was unavailable to answer questions about his decision. "We appreciated his commitment to the council, respect his decision to resign and wish him luck," Council Chairman Steve Woods said.
Yarmouth council weighs bond for new public works facility
Feb 08, 2012 12:00 am
Yarmouth Public Works Director Erik Street said discussions leading to a proposal for a new public works facility began with the lack of space to properly wash vehicles at the existing North Road site. "The town is going to have to do something," Street said, about creating more space for maintenance and storage.
Falmouth celebrates old protected forest, new conservation grant
Feb 07, 2012 1:50 pm
FALMOUTH — Conservation Commission members hope residents will turn out this weekend to explore a part of town that will look the same in 100 years as it does today. The idea, Conservation Commission Chairman Mel Dickenson said, is to introduce residents to the 300-acre tract of wooded land known as Hadlock Community Forest. The area, which will never be developed, is adjacent to a 250-acre tract of land in Cumberland and is connected by trail to another 200 acres of protected land in Falmouth.
Duplex to expand affordable housing choices on Chebeague Island
Feb 07, 2012 1:40 pm
CHEBEAGUE ISLAND — The town will be able to provide more year-round affordable housing opportunities this year, thanks to the planned construction of a duplex on School House Road. The building, which will have two rental units and stand on 3.4 acres, will be made possible largely by a $350,000 grant from the Maine State Housing Authority.
Costs could force Cumberland to stop accepting new roads
Feb 07, 2012 1:30 pm
CUMBERLAND — The expense of maintaining and improving the town's existing roads has the Town Council looking into options to limit the number of new ones it will accept as public roads. Town Manager Bill Shane will report to the council on Monday, Feb. 13, on a new road acceptance policy. Town Planner Carla Nixon and Operations Director Chris Bolduc, are working with Shane to develop the document. The ordinance will "detail the expectations of the town when a road comes forward for public acceptance," Shane said last week.
Falmouth High School debaters find success with growing program
Feb 07, 2012 1:10 pm
FALMOUTH — Michelle Lafond has grown used to hearing teenagers debate everything from where to buy dinner to moral issues surrounding domestic violence. "The kids can and will debate everything and may not even realize it," she said. She wouldn't have it any other way.
Police warn of burglaries in Falmouth, Freeport, Cumberland and Yarmouth
Feb 07, 2012 1:00 pm
FALMOUTH — Police in Falmouth, Yarmouth, Cumberland and Freeport are investigating a series of home burglaries that began in January. Falmouth Police Lt. John Kilbride said there have been nine burglaries, which occurred approximately every four to five days. Items stolen have included jewelry, electronics and money. Police believe the suspects enter homes through unlocked doors, generally at the rear. In some cases, they knock on doors and, if they encounter a homeowner, ask for directions or a fictitious person, according to police.
Graham announces House re-election bid
Feb 07, 2012 1:00 pm
NORTH YARMOUTH — State Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth, announced she is seeking another term. Graham was elected in 2010 in House District 109, which includes parts of North Yarmouth, Gray and Pownal. She sits on the State and Local Government Committee, which in the last session considered modification of the Informed Growth Act and the restructuring of the State Planning Office. Graham said she will run as a Clean Election candidate, and will be gathering $5 donations to qualify.