Pownal Town News~Letter

May 2008

TOWN MEETING: On November 19, 2007, the Board of Selectmen voted to change the town’s fiscal year from December through January to July 1 through June 30. The next town meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 16, 2008, @ 7:00pm at the Elementary School, and will cover the 12th-month period from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009. The warrant of articles to be voted on will be mailed to all households the first week in June. Residents will be voting on the municipal budget along with implementing an Impact Fee Ordinance; purchasing a back hoe loader/one-ton truck from the Capital Projects account for the Highway Department; changing the tax due dates to quarterly; and amending a variety of items in our Building Code.

REFERENDUM VOTE: Residents will be asked to vote by secret ballot on the school budget validation referendum. The polls will open at Mallett Hall at 8:00am and will close at 8:00pm. Absentee ballots will be available at the Town Clerk’s office during business hours at least 30 days before the election. You may request a ballot in person or over the phone.

POWNAL WEBSITE: We would like to add a Business Directory page to our website. Pownal residents can post their business card/image type ad for $15/month, or a line/text ad with link or contact information for $10/month - billing to be done annually. Revenue generated from this service would help to fund the website and give us the opportunity continue to add information, links, and updates. Your ad can be emailed to: selectmen@pownalmaine.org; or mailed to: Town of Pownal, P. O. Box 95, Pownal, ME 04069. You can also stop by Town Hall during regular business hours to place your ad. Ads will be prepaid for the year and updated annually. This opportunity will be available after June Town Meeting. FMI, call Kathy 688-4431.

HOUSHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION DAY: Pownal will be joining with Gray and other towns for residents to be able to dispose of household hazardous wastes. These wastes can be brought to Gray Salt and Sand shed on Seagull Drive, just off Route 26 north out of Gray on August 23 from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Bring proof of residency. You can pick a complete list of acceptable items at Town Hall.

CONTACT INFORMATION: The Board of Selectmen meets at 7:00pm every Monday (except holidays) @ Mallett Hall. The public is always welcome to attend. You can contact the Board of Selectmen by mail, P. O. Box 95, Pownal, ME 04069; by phone, 688-4431 (we will return your call if we are not in the office); or by email, pownalof@maine.rr.com.

Selectmen: Tim Giddinge, Chair 688-4878 Tgcustcarpentry@aol.com
Matt Allen 688-4022 bigmallen25@aol.com
Fred Fauver 688-6255 fauverf@maine.rr.com

 

FROM THE ROAD COMMISSIONER

The summer construction season will be a very busy one. In the coming month or two, you will see various projects starting to take shape around Town. As soon as the shoulders are stable enough, we will be “pulling shoulders” on many of our paved roads. This is a maintenance step to bring displaced material back up against the edge of the pavement. The crew will also be out in force reshaping the gravel roads, cutting brush, sweeping intersections, and cleaning bridges. The Allen Road reconstructions has already started. The crew has spent some time cutting trees and brush in preparation for the upcoming major reconstruction. For more detailed information, please check out the new website. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact the Public Works Department any time, 688-4407 or publicworkds@pownalmaine.org. Thank you, Shawn Bennett, Road Commissioner

POWNAL FIRE DEPARTMENT

FIRE PERMITS: In addition to being able to obtain a fire permit at Town Hall during the week, there will be a Fire Department member available at Center Station on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 – 11:00am. Permits are required for any burning in Town.

NEW MEMBERS: In a small town like Pownal, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Departments are always in need of members. If you would like to help in any capacity, Fire Fighter, First Responder, EMT, Fire Police, etc, please let us know. We welcome your interest.

COMMITTEES

BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE: Residents have been enjoying the Bicentennial Events planned since the beginning of March. The play “Ancestors in the Attic” was a huge success and enjoyed by all who attended. The next big event is the Veteran’s Memorial Dedication to take place at Elmwood Cemetery, 2:00pm on Memorial Day, May 26. Bicentennial tee shirts are on sale at Mallett Hall – get yours today! Tickets for the August 9 picnic will be on sale in advance from June 1 through July 15 for a reduced rate of $5. Tickets will also be available at the picnic on the 9th for $6.

BUDGET COMMITTEE: The Budget Committee is meeting regularly working on the budget for June 16 town meeting.. Meetings are open to the public. FMI, contact Tom Godfrey, Chair 688-3238 or tgodfrey@maine.rr.com.

BUILDING & GROUNDS: Now 2 rooms in the original Mallett Hall building have been completely renovated and repainted. The second floor “stage” room absolutely sparkled during the recent performances of the Bicentennial Play – “Ancestors in the Attic”! And the first floor “voting” room looks as good as new in its fresh bright paint! Our next target is the front stairway and hall. After a hopefully brief pause to gather financial resources, we intend to move ahead. Donations to support this work will be gratefully accepted. Bradbury Mountain Arts has already contributed and we appreciate the fact that the proceeds from the Pownal Garden and aHOuse tour (sponsored by the Historical Society on July 19 and 20) are dedicated to support this work. Be sure to take this tour and feel pleased that you are both enjoying a feast for the eyes and helping to restore your historic town hall. Jim Boyles, Chair
CONSERVATION COMMISSION: The Commission meets the 4th Tuesday of the month. The public is welcome. FMI, contact Chair Tom Cushman 688-9030.

ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE: This committee meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 7:00pm at Mallett Hall. An Impact Fee Ordinance has been presented to the public at 2 public hearings and will be ready to vote on at Town Meeting in June. The committee is also looking at our Ordinances, Zoning Book, and Building Code to try to clarify, define, or bring sections up to date. FMI, contact, Jim Briggs 688-2220

PLANNING BOARD: The Planning Board meets @ 7:00pm at Mallett Hall the 4th Wednesday of every month, except November and December, when they meet on the 3rd Wednesday. For more information, contact Chair Ron Hodsdon 688-4469 ort Secretary Liza Nichols 688-2236.

CLUBS, GROUPS & ORGANIZAIONS

POWNAL LAND TRUST: The land trust is working on a recreation/resource-oriented map of Pownal for the Bicentennial. FMI, contact Alix Hopkins 688-2242.

NORTH POWNAL COMMUNITY CLUB: Potluck suppers continue on the second Saturday of the month at 5:30pm at the North Pownal Community Club. This is a great opportunity to get out and socialize with your neighbors. Everyone is welcome. Bring a food dish to share and your own eating utensils. FMI, call Alan Bradstreet 588-4728 or Bob McMahon 688-2264.

POWNAL SCENIC & HISTORICAL SOCIETY: The PSHS invites you to attend events scheduled this summer to celebrate Pownal’s Bicentennial: Saturday, May 17: BIENNIAL HERITAGE PLANT SALE, 9:00am until noon, rain or shine, @ Mallett Hall. Great selection! Hardy stock! Unbelievable prices! Sunday, June 22: DEDICATION of Pownal’s only remaining one-room school. Joint with North Pownal United Methodist Church, 2pm @ Brooks Room of the church, North Pownal. Sat & Sun, July 19,20: COUNTRY GARDEN 7 HOME TOUR: Ten lovely Pownal Gardens and homes can be toured. Tickets available at Mallett Hall and local garden centers. Proceeds to benefit Mallett Hall renovation. Be on the lookout for the societies’ publication of “On Pownal Time – 100 Years in a Rural Maine town”. It is coming out this summer and has something for everyone in it! FMI, contact Donna Boyles, President 688-4780.
INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE: Mallett Hall, 7 - 9 pm, the first Sunday of the month: May 4, June 1, July 6, August 3. .Come dance with us and celebrate. Welcome Spring and Summer! Discover a new way to exercise. Enjoy traditional music and learn dances from the Balkans, Israel, France, Greece, and around the world. Dances during the beginning of the evening are taught. Beginners welcome, no partners needed. $5 (children $3). Sponsored by the Pownal/Portland Folk Dancers. An all volunteer organization dedicated to fun, friendliness, and traditional folk dance. Admission helps cover expenses. FMI, contact Marie 688-2293.

POWNAL FOOD COOP: The next meeting for the Pownal Coop will be Monday, July 14, 7:00pm. Meetings are held at the North Pownal Community Club. At this meeting, the coop will be ordering food, organic and non-organic, household supplies, and supplements, from Associated Buyers of New Hampshire. This order will be delivered on Wednesday, July 23 for coop members to break-down (sort through) and take home. We’ll also plan our coming meetings for late summer through next year. If interested in joining the coop, please contact Barb Ames 721-9732 or bames!gwi.net to insure that a catalogue will be available for you. Catalogues are usually available for pick up about 1 week prior to the order meeting and are available on line for those with high speed internet. The coop has 5 food orders a year and also orders other items seasonally such as Fedco seeds and cranberries. By ordering as a group, the coop gets a discount which is passed along to members. The coop usually saves 25%-30% on sees. FMI, please contact Barb Ames.
 

CHURCHES

NORTH POWNAL METHODIST CHURCH
Pastor C. Richard Sheesley Church: 688-4938 email RRSMRSL4@aol.com
Morning Worship, 9:00am, Sunday School, 10:30am (except June-Aug)

Calendar 
June 7 Public Baked Bean & Spaghetti Supper, 4:30-6:00pm serving continuously. Adults $6, children ages 3-12, $3, children 2 and under, are free.
July 5 Public Baked Bean & Spaghetti Supper, 4:30-6:00pm serving continuously.
Aug 2 Public Baked Bean & Spaghetti Supper, 4:30-6:00pm serving continuously.
June 22 Dedication Ceremony for the North Pownal One-Room Schoolhouse (only remaining in Pownal) which is no part of the North Pownal United Methodist Church. The church named the one-room school in honor of Marjorie Brooks who taught there for many years. There will be refreshments and time for folks to reminisce.

EXERCISE: On Tuesday & Thursdays @ 6:30pm for low impact exercise. All are welcome! FMI, call Gayle 688-4415.

COME SEW WITH US! May 17, June 2`, July 19, August 16, 9am – 3pm. Bring your own project and supplies (sewing, knitting, crocheting, jewelry making, scrapbook, etc) and bring a bag lunch. There is no cost to join us, but if feel a need, you can make a donation to the church. FMI, call Maria

FOOD PROGRAM
Tuesdays, from 10:30am to 2:00pm, for Senior citizens and families with children who are having difficulty making their food dollars stretch, we offer a variety of foods from a local food chain to help you out. Come to the Sunday School room and see what there is to offer.

FIRST PARISH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Pastor Howard Richardson 688-4846 Email: firstparish@netscape.com
Traditional Worship Service on Sundays, 9:30am, 9:20am Video Clip, Sunday School -11:00am,
Tuesday Prayer Meeting & Bible Study – 7:00pm, Service, mucic or video 9:20am

FROM THE SCHOOL

Principal/Superintendent Joe Feeney 688-4832
School Website: www.pownalschool.org

SCHOOL BOARD: Maine School Administrative District #62 - School Consolidation
Status Report
Regional Planning Committee (RPC) – The school consolidation law provides that an RPC be formed and its members will include representatives of the school administrative units, member municipalities and members of the general public who are residents of the proposed Regional School Unit (RSU). The responsibility of the RPC is to develop the plan of reorganization for the RSU. The reorganization plan is required to address the following categories:

The units of school administration to be included in the proposed reorganized regional school unit;
The size, composition and apportionment of the governing body;
The method of voting of the governing body;
The composition, powers and duties of any local school committees to be created;
The disposition of real and personal school property;
The disposition of existing school indebtedness and lease-purchase obligations;
The assignment of school personnel contracts, school collective bargaining agreements and other school contractual obligations;
The disposition of existing school funds and existing financial obligations, including undesignated fund balances, trust funds, reserve funds and other funds appropriated for school purposes;
A transition plan that addresses the development of a budget for the first school year of the reorganized unit and interim personnel policies;
Documentation of the public meeting or public meetings held to prepare overview the reorganization plan;
An explanation of how units that approve the reorganization plan will proceed if one or more of the proposed members of the regional school unit fail to approve the plan;
An estimate of the cost savings to be achieved by the formation of a regional school unit and how these savings will be achieved;
Such other matters as the governing bodies of the school administrative units in existence on the effective date of this chapter may determine to be necessary;

Notice of Intent – SAD #62 filed two notices of intent with the commissioner of education on August 31, 2007. The first was in regard to a combination of the Freeport, Durham and SAD #62 school districts, and the second was in regard to a combination of the Freeport, Yarmouth and SAD #62 districts. The commissioner of education approved both of these filings as complying with the intent of the law.

Pownal delegation to the RPC - the town of Pownal has established its delegation to the RPC consisting of six members – two from the school board; two from the Board of Selectman; and two members from the general public. Members of the delegation are: School Board members Jennifer Kaplan, Paul Schumann; Selectman Tim Giddinge, Residents Sherry Dietrich and Cliff Ruprecht.

RPC Meetings – the first Pownal/Freeport/Durham regional planning committee meeting was held on October 3 in Freeport. Subsequent meetings are scheduled for October 10 in Pownal, October 17 in Durham and October 24 in Freeport. Meetings beyond the end of October have yet to be scheduled. All meetings start at 7:00 pm and are open to the public.

The first meeting of the Pownal/Freeport/Yarmouth regional planning committee is scheduled for October 12 at 7:15 am at the office of the Yarmouth superintendent. No subsequent meetings have been planned pending the outcome of a public meeting in Yarmouth scheduled for October 29.
Additional information on the current status of school consolidation can be found on the Pownal School web site at www.pownals

IMPACT
The Pownal Elementary Parent Volunteer Group will be having a silent auction on January 26th, 2008.  The time will be 6:00-11:00pm at Val Halla Golf Course.  Tickets will be on sale starting mid November.  If you are interested in donating an auction item or obtaining tickets, please contact Heidi Lathrop at 207-688-3326.

POWNAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION:
Contact Steve Russell at 653-5763 for more information.

FREEPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES
Serving Freeport and Pownal Residents
Leslie Livingston, Executive Director
865-3985 llivingston@fcsmaine.org

COMMUNITY CENTER: Free movies, Sundays 3 - 5:00pm: Nov 21 - Shrek, Nov 25 - Annie, Dec 2 – Barnyard; and on Tuesdays and Fridays, 7 - 9:00pm; Nov 9 -Dr. Strange Love, Nov 27 - A Chorus Line, Dec 4 - Fried Green Tomatoes. Also, music at noon and chair massage. Call FCS for more information. Please remember, the Center is available for meetings, personal events and that there is the coffee bar with wireless access all the time.

CLOTHES TREE THRIFT SHOP: The new thrift shop is open as part of the Community Center in its beautiful new setting with lots of glass and light. Under the guidance of SCORE volunteer, Allen Shaver, the new store will feature a boutique with new or perfect-condition in-style and name-brand clothes as well as high-end hard goods such as fine china and good jewelry – all at reasonable prices. Also, check out our Bargain Basement. Volunteers are needed – please call FCS if you can donate some of your time to this very worthy cause.

FRESH PRODUCE & BAKED GOODS: Are being donated by Hannaford’s and include fresh produce and baked goods. These items are available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00am – 3:30pm.

FOOD PANTRY: Items are always needed and being accepted. We always have a need for personal care products as well as a variety of food items. Please drop items off at the FCS.

COFFEE BAR: Come visit the coffee bar offering Fair Trade Coffee that is part of the Community Center at FCS. Wireless Internet access is available. Hours and Monday through Saturday 7:30am – 6:00pm and Sunday, noon – 6:00.

WANT TO GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND GET PAID FOR IT? FCS is hiring a person to open and close the Community Center, vacuum, clean bathrooms, clear side walks, trash, painting, yard work, etc. for Saturday and maybe Sunda, 7-8 hours per week. If interested, please contact Robin Harriman or Kim Knowlen, 865-3985.