Pownal Town News~Letter
Feb 2009
FROM THE SELECTMEN’S OFFICE
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Special Town Meeting has been scheduled for March 9, 2009, 7:00pm at Mallett Hall. Warrant articles may include some ordinance amendments, adopting the Impact Fee Methodology for Public Safety, adopting the flood Plain Ordinance, as well as other miscellaneous articles. The Warrant will be posted at least 10 days before the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING
A public hearing has been scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2009, starting at 7:00pm in the DeWitt Room of Mallett Hall. There are several ordinance amendments to be adopted at Special Town Meeting in March. This public hearing is an opportunity for residents to be informed of these amendments they will be voting on in March. Ordinance amendments will include Impact Fee Methodology for Public Safety and for Solid Waste; Driveway Ordinance changes; and adopting the State’s model floodplain ordinance.
MUNICIPAL ELECTION AND TOWN MEETING 2009
Town Meeting will be called to order at 7:45am on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, to elect a moderator and to vote to elect one Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor for a three year term. The polls will be open from 8:00am to 8:00pm. Town Meeting will reconvene on Monday, June 15, 2009, at 7:00pm at the Pownal Elementary School to act on the remainder of the articles. The Town Report will be mailed to every household before this meeting.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
If you are a legal resident of the State of Maine and have owned homestead property in Maine for at least the past 12 months, you may be eligible for the Homestead Exemption. This is a one-time application process and applications must be submitted before April 1, 2009, to be applied to your 2000/2010 taxes. Stop by Town Hall during regular business hours for your application.
ROADSIDE RUBBISH REMOVAL
In an effort to save money in our Solid Waste Account, the Town will begin enforcing our Solid Waste Ordinance by having our Road Department periodically weigh roadside containers. Residents are allowed to put out weekly no more than 4 containers of trash weighing no more than 40 pounds total. Containers should be sealed and waterproof. In addition to the 40 pounds, residents can also put out 1 tire off the rim, a car battery, a mattress and/or 1 small piece of non-metallic furniture per week. If we find that your trash is over the weight limit, it will be tagged and not collected. If you know your trash will exceed the weight allowed, additional tags can be purchased at the Town Hall for $2 each.
KEEP POWNAL WARM
This new program has been very successful. From October through December, the Carol Kaplan Fund has given fuel assistance to 9 Pownal residents. “Keep Pownal Warm” is designed to directly benefit Pownal residents in need of heating assistance by utilizing funds donated by other Pownal residents. This fund is open to any Pownal household who is having difficulty making their heating dollars stretch. Please contact Sue Mack directly at Freeport Community
Services (207) 869-1005 if you are in need of assistance. If you are able to make a donation to the Keep Pownal Warm Fund, please make your tax deductible check payable to: FCS-Keep Pownal Warm. Please cut out and enclose the form located on the back of this sheet with your check.
NEW TAX DATES SUCCESSFUL
Over the past few years, the collection dates of taxes have been changing. This was done in an effort to reduce money spent on Net Interest Expense. Here is a summary:
Year Tax Due Date Net Interest Expense
2005 December 1 $13,462 Expense
2006 August 1 and December 1 $ 4,161 Expense
2007 August 1 and December 1 $ 3,041 Expense
2008(6 mo) June 16 $ 1,892 Income
2008/2009 Sept, Dec, March, June 15 $ 4,440 Income YTD
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT EXPLORATION COMMITTEE:
In September of 2008, the Administrative Assistant Exploration Committee was created to examine the way the Pownal town office is staffed and to recommend changes to improve efficiency, economy, and quality of service to the residents. The eight volunteers worked hard under the leadership of Pat Christian, and the committee presented its final report to the Selectmen on January 12 of this year. Their report contains a summary of the committee’s working method, a summary of its research into how other nearby towns of a size comparable to Pownal’s manage their town offices, and two alternative recommendations for reorganizing the staffing and duties of the Pownal town office. The committee’s report is available for you to read at the town hall.
It is the intention of the Selectmen to refine the recommendations of the committee into a new office structure that will better serve the Town’s needs. Please bear in mind that this will in no way change the way our town is governed. The people of Pownal will still cast their votes at town meeting to elect the Selectmen, to raise and appropriate funds to pay the expenses of the Town, and to make the multitude of other decisions that appear on the warrant every year.
This subject will appear frequently on the agendas for upcoming Selectmen’s meetings. Keep your eye on the agendas (posted at the town hall and Post Office ),and stop by to discuss the plans with the selectmen.
CONTACT INFORMATION: The Board of Selectmen meets every Monday (except holidays) @ Mallett Hall. The public is always welcome to attend. You can contact the Board of Selectmen by mail, 429 Hallowell Road, Pownal, ME 04069; by phone, 688-4431 (we will return your call if we are not in the office); or by email, selectmen@pownalmaine.org.
Selectmen Tim Giddinge, Chair 688-4878 Tgcustcarpentry@aol.com
Fred Fauver 688-6255 fauverf@maine.rr.com
Steve Russell 846-9710 srussell@maine.rr.com
FROM THE TOWN CLERK & TAX COLLECTOR
IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
January 31, 2009- $25.00 Late Fees applied on Expired Dog Registrations
March 15, 2009- 3rd Installment on 08/09 Property Taxes Due
June 9, 2009- Annual Municipal Election & Possible State Election
June 15, 2009- 4th Installment on 08/09 Property Taxes Due; Annual Town Meeting
June 30, 2008- All ATV & Snowmobile Registrations Expire
September 15, 2009- 1st Installment on 09/10 Property Taxes Due
November 3, 2009- State Referendum Election
December 15, 2009- 2nd Installment on 09/10 Property Taxes Due
December 31, 2009- All Dog Licenses Expire
OFFICE HOURS & EMAIL ADDRESS
Monday 8:30 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
Town Clerk/Tax Collector/Treasurer email address: taxcollector@pownalmaine.org
Town Clerk/Tax Collector/Treasurer phone number: (207) 688-4611 or 688- 4431. Please remember if I have a customer at the window I do not answer the phone. Please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for understanding.
2009 STATE/TOWN HOLLIDAY SCHEDULE
Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day), Monday, February 16, 2009
Patriots’ Day, Monday, April 20, 2009
Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2009
Independence Day, Friday, July 3, 2009
Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2009
Columbus Day, Monday, October 12, 2009
Veterans’ Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving Friday, Friday, November 27, 2009
Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 2009
FROM THE ROAD COMMISSIONER
WINTER OPERATIONS
The Public Works Department is committed to providing the safest possible roads as cost efficiently as possible.
One of the most important steps in dealing with winter storms is "pretreating" the roads. Pretreating is what you see when the trucks are on the road just prior to or at the start of the storm. These trucks are usually applying a light amount of salt and salt brine. Pretreating in this manner creates a brine barrier between the snow and the road keeping the snow from bonding to the surface and allowing us to achieve safe bare roads sooner and less costly than trying to melt off snow and ice pack after the storm.
Once the snow has started to accumulate, the Department begins its plowing routine. This generally begins when there is 2-3 inches of snow on the roadway. We concentrate our efforts on our main roads which in Pownal is nearly all of the paved roads. It is essential for the mobility of emergency vehicles as well as the public to keep the main roads as clear as possible. We continue plowing in this pattern for the duration of the storm making rounds on the secondary gravel roads as needed.
Once the storm subsides we begin our "cleanup" operation. This usually consists of a final salt treatment to break up any remaining snow or ice, cleaning up intersections, and then scraping the slush of the road. The sooner we clear the road of moisture the sooner it can dry which helps to mitigate dangerous refreezing.
Generally, in the day or two following a storm, the crew is back out pushing back the snow banks into the ditches and widening intersections. This allows for more room to store the snow from future storms as well as improving visibility at these intersections. If we do not get these snow banks pushed back, they freeze and become very difficult to move. The snow ends up encroaching on the roadway making dangerous driving conditions.
Once the roads are back in decent shape the Crew spends numerous hours cleaning, inspecting, and servicing the equipment to make sure we are ready for the next storm.
The following is a Q and A taken from a publication of Maine Municipal Association Attorneys.
Question: Mailboxes--how do you handle mailbox damage done by your truck or plowed snow/ice from your truck? Any difference if the mailbox is within your right-of-way or outside the right-of-way boundary? What if someone is going to "fix you" by erecting an immovable "deadly fixed mailbox" made of concrete, steel, brick, etc.?
Answer: Mailboxes are in the right of way by permission of municipality and if damaged, there is no legal entitlement to replacement or payment. Each municipality has its own policy regarding mailbox replacement. If the mailbox is within the right-of-way, the municipality has a legitimate concern for the safety of drivers and for its own potential liability under the Highway Defect Act, since a mailbox that is a "deadly fixed object" it may be a highway defect. If outside the right-of-way, however, the mailbox is on private property and is beyond the municipality's jurisdiction. No municipality should tolerate the presence of "deadly fixed object" mailbox posts (such as concrete, granite or steel I-beam posts) in the right- of-way since this could constitute a "highway defect." Municipality should request immediate removal of post by landowner (who also could be held liable for property damage or personal injury). However, if landowner does not cooperate, it is better to obtain a court order for removal instead of municipality exercising "self-help" and removing post itself.
Question: Citizens are cleaning out their driveways and leaving snow in the road or piled against the snow bank in the road creating a mess and a hazard. What does a Town do?
Answer: There is a State law (29A MRSA 2396) that prohibits pushing of snow into the public way. "A person may not place and allow to remain on a public way snow or slush that has not accumulated there naturally."
Some things to remember to make winter storms easier on everyone:
* Be sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving.
* Do not drive during a snowstorm unless necessary.
* If you must drive during a snowstorm reduce your speed, speed is the #1 cause of winter accidents.
* Do not pass a plow truck; remember the traveling is no better in front of it.
* Give the snow removal equipment plenty of room, these trucks are big and wid,e they do not maneuver like your
passenger vehicle
* Shoveling or plowing snow from driveways into the street is not only ILLEGAL it can be a serious traffic hazard.
* Shoveling or plowing snow to the side of the driveway opposite the direction of the plow will significantly reduce those
build ups of snow at the end of your driveway.
* And remember, that plow truck driver that plowed your driveway in again, has to go home and shovel his driveway
too!!
Shawn M. Bennett, Road Commissioner (207) 688-4407 publicworks@pownalmaine.org
POWNAL FIRE DEPARTMENT
In 2008, the Department responded to 181 fire and rescue calls. A number of calls came in during the December ice storm for lines down and public assistance. If you or someone you know should be checked on after a major storm or during a long-term power outage, please leave your name, address, and number at the town hall or call the fire station, 688-2211. I would like this list to consist of people who don’t have relatives in the area, can’t drive, are disabled, or have difficulties getting around, are confined to their residence or are on life support equipment and may require a generator.
Now is a good time to think of winter safety. Use caution when operating snowmobiles. Operate at speeds that are appropriate for the trail and ALWAYS wear your helmet. When riding at night, use extra caution by wearing proper gear and reducing your speed. Be extra careful when crossing roads and bridges. Always have someone familiar with a waterway check the ice before going onto it. Have your vehicle serviced for the winter months and keep the windshield washer fluid tank full.
We currently have about 15 Fire/Ems personal that cover the town 24/7/365. We would like to add at least 10 more good people to our staff this year. If you are in good physical condition and are interested in helping your community, please stop by and check out the firehouse and the equipment, talk with the crew, see if this interests you. We are a paid / volunteer department, and generally meet on Thursday nights for trainings, maintenance, and meetings, and leave the weekends for your family. For more information, please call Chief Pollock at 632- 8507, or Deputy Chief Neilson at 688-4499 Thank You, Chief Pollock
COMMITTEES
BUDGET COMMITTEE: Pownal Budget Committee Starting Work
The Budget Committee is meeting with the Selectmen and other town officials on Thursday, January 22nd, to plan the development of the budget for municipal services for the fiscal year 2010 (July 2009 through June 2010).
In recent years, the municipal budget has been about a quarter of the town’s expenditures. The school budget has been about two-thirds. The rest has been the town’s assessment by the county. This year, the budget-making process will have to adjust to a number of new circumstances, including:
School consolidation,
The change in the town’s fiscal year, and
The downturn in the state and national economies.
Town officials have been wrestling with the consequences of these and other changes for some time now, but the Budget Committee members have to get up to speed on them in order to represent effectively the concerns of Pownal residents through the budget-making process. This meeting will identify the issues and set-up the framework within which the committee will exercise its overview responsibilities.
Following the meeting, the committee will publish its meeting schedule for the next three months. Work on the budget will conclude by late April, when the Selectmen must approve the warrant for the town meeting in June (time is needed in between for assembling, printing, and distributing the town book).
Members of the public are welcome at all meetings of the Budget Committee. Time is scheduled early in each meeting agenda to hear the concerns and ideas of any town resident who attends. Tom Godfrey, Budget Committee Chair, pro tem
MALLETT HALL BUILDING AND GROUNDS: Thanks to many donors, especially the Scenic and Historical Society and Bradbury Mountain Arts, we will be able to continue with the renovation of the original Mallett Hall building in 2009. The area that will be renovated in the spring will be the front entryway including the staircase and both the first and second floor foyers. Preparation work will be done by committee members and other volunteers. Final painting will be done by Mantle Painting, Inc. – the same painting contractor who has done such a fine job on the voting room and stage room. We all look forward to seeing this magnificent entryway restored to its glory! James Boyles, Chair
SOLID WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING COMMITTEE:
Pownal Pride Days
Each spring Pownal citizens are encouraged to participate in a roadside trash clean-up event known as Pownal Pride Days. Trash is collected from roadway ditches and shoulders and is placed in clear plastic bags that are available at Mallett Hall. Roadside waste can be placed curbside with your weekly household trash and will be collected on two trash days (Friday, May 1st and Friday, May 8th). To minimize the cost of this event please recycle all roadside items that are applicable and place them in the recycling roll-off containers located behind Mallett Hall.
In addition, a metals collection day will be held on Saturday, May 2nd from 7am to 3pm behind Mallett Hall. This is an excellent opportunity to dispose of old grills, bikes, appliances, and general metal debris. Unacceptable items include propane tanks, chain link fencing, wire, and cables. Please help keep Pownal clean and beautiful by lending a hand!
Save Tax Money and Our Environment
Recycling and composting is one of the easiest ways that you can directly control your taxes. It’s quite simple, Pownal pays $88/ton to dispose of trash but pays $0/ton to dispose of recyclables. The committee is currently researching alternative waste and recycling systems to encourage recycling and save tax payer money. One option is a curbside recycling and pay-per-bag system introduced in North Yarmouth. The town observed their recycling rates rise from 16.4% to 50.13% saving the town significant money. The committee welcomes public comment as we consider what system will work best for our community.
The Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee is always seeking new members. Please contact Jamie Welch at 688-4641 for additional information.
BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE: The Bicentennial Committee would like to express thanks to all of the residents who came out and enjoyed the wide variety of events offered in 2008! It was a year to be proud of. There are still Bicentennial tee shirts and commemorative mugs available for purchase. See the Town Clerk during regular business hours. At the last meeting, the Committee voted to donate all remaining inventory to the Town along with $2,811.73 that was left over in our trust fund. Residents will be asked to vote to accept these funds at the Special Town Meeting in March. The Committee has now been officially disbanded by the Selectmen. Again, thank you all to a memorable Bicentennial year! Chair, Kathy Hogue
ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE: This committee meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, 7:00pm at Mallett Hall. Meetings are always open to the public. 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
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.
INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE: Mallett Hall ,7- 9 pm, First Sundays of every month. Feb 1, March 1, April 5, May3. Enjoy traditional music and learn dances from the Balkans, Israel, France, Greece and around the world. We are a welcoming group of dance enthusiasts; beginners, experts and in between. Dances during the beginning of the evening are taught. Everyone welcome, no partners needed. $5 (children $3). Call Marie for more information, 688-2293 or email mwendt57@gmail.com.
POWNAL LAND TRUST AND ROYAL RIVER CONSERVATION TRUST: Joining Hands to Broaden Shoulders
Mergers and acquisitions conjure images of giant corporate deals fashioned around enormous, wooden conference tables littered with paper and fancy water bottles. So the terms seem to be out of place as we think about Royal River Conservation Trust's (RRCT) evolution over the past several years. RRCT's consolidation with local land trusts in Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, and New Gloucester more than two years ago was more of the kitchen table variety - committed local people from several communities nurturing a plan for a sustainable conservation organization to serve our region. Since this initial merger, RRCT has devoted significant time and resources to bolster its land stewardship program following the acquisition of more than 20 conservation easements and several properties in each of the town.
Beginning in early 2008, RRCT talked to the Pownal Land Trust (PLT) about consolidating operations, resources and assets as well. Appropriately, each organization wanted to ensure that merging one operation into another would help to increase the pace and oversight of conservation activities both in Pownal and beyond.
Over the past few years RRCT and PLT have partnered on several successful projects. "We are excited about the possibility of taking our relationship to the next level," remarked Alix Hopkins, past PLT president and author of Groundswell: Stories of Saving Places, Finding Community. "Combining the talent and resources of each organization - one with a regional focus, the other with deep local ties - makes a lot of sense."
"The Pownal Land Trust is a strong organization supported by a committed group of volunteers. Adding their collective experience and local wisdom to RRCT is a significant step toward sustaining conservation in the region and in our core communities," observed Gro Flatebo, RRCT president.
In early January 2009, after affirmative votes from both boards of directors, Pownal Land Trust and Royal River Conservation Trust officially merged. Both boards were optimistic that the merger agreement satisfies the continuing need for an active, local team in Pownal and for a stronger RRCT capable of building and caring for an infrastructure of connected greenways throughout the region. PLT board members Rosemary Whitney and Fred Fauver have joined the RRCT board and many of the other PLT board members will remain involved in a variety of capacities. We welcome this newly energized phase of land conservation in Pownal and in our region.
POWNAL FOOD COOP If interested in joining the coop, please contact Barb Ames at 721-9732 or bames@gwi.net to insure that a catalogue will be available for you. Catalogues are usually available for pickup about 1 week prior to the order meeting and are also available online
BRADBURY MOUNTAIN ARTS: Potlucks are held every third Friday of the month, October through April. Bring a potluck dish to share and your own utensils. There will be a guest speaker after dinner. FMI, contact President Lois Pervier 688-2272.
CHURCHES
FIRST PARISH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Pastor Howard Richardson 688-4846 Email: firstparish@netscape.com
Traditional Worship Service on Sundays, 9:30am. Sunday School follows at 11:00am (classes for all ages).
Calendar
Feb 13 Annual Valentine Dinner with a gospel music concert to follow featuring Maine gospel singer, Freddy Merrill. There is no charge for either the dinner or concert. An offering will be taken to help defray the cost Please
Call 688-4846 to make a reservation for the dinner.
Apr 5 Palm Sunday service, 9:30am
Apr 9 Maunday Thursday service, 7:00pm
Apr 12 Easter Sunday Services, Sunrise Services at Bradbury Mountain. Two services will be conducted at the same time: one at the base for those who can’t climb and one at the top for those who can climb. (Time will be announced at a later date.) Refreshments will follow at the church. All are welcome. Easter Sunday morning service will be a 9:30am.
NORTH POWNAL METHODIST CHURCH
Pastor C. Richard Sheesley Church: 688-4938 email RRSMRSL4@aol.com
Morning Worship, 9:00am, Sunday School, 10:45am
Calendar
Feb 25 Ash Wednesday Service, 7:00pm
April 4 Public Baked Bean & Spaghetti Supper, serving continuously from 4:30 – 6:00pm. Adults $6, children $3, 3 years and under, free. Menu: Three kinds of beans, spaghetti, potato salad, coleslaw, biscuits, brown bread, pickled beets, pickles and our famous pies. Handicapped accessible.
April 5 Palm Sunday Service, 9:00am
April 9 Pot Luck Supper, 6:00pm followed by a Maundy Thursday Service, with Communion at 7:00pm.
April 10 Good Friday, church opened for prayer at noon to 7:00pm, Good Friday Service at 7:00pm.
April 12 Easter sunrise Service on the Malone’s hll at 954 Elmwood Road, Easter Breakfast at 7:00am, and NO SUNDAY SCHOOL.
May 2 Public Baked Bean & Spaghetti Supper, 4:30-6:00pm
(Watch The Notes under Pownal News for events not currently on our schedule.)
FOOD PROGRAM
Tuesdays, from 10:30am to 2:00pm,
FREEPORT COMMUNITY SERVICES ~ 865-3985
Serving Freeport and Pownal Residents
Bob Lyman, Interim Executive Director
The Community Center continues to be very busy with many regular and ongoing activities, in addition to some “special functions” coming up. Here are the ongoing activities first, and then the upcoming events. All Pownal and Freeport residents are welcome at the Center.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
The Clothes Tree Shop is open daily Monday - Friday. from 9:00AM - 5:30PM and Saturday from 9:00am – 4:00pm. It is a great place to both donate good used clothing and household items as well as a great place to shop for bargains.
The Food Pantry provides canned goods, fresh produce, and some frozen items for those who need it. Their hours are
9:00am – 3:30pm Monday, Tuesday & Thursday., 9:00am -6:000pm on Wednesday. Closed on Fridays.
The Elders Association has their exercise program every Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings from 8:00 - 8:45am. In addition, they have their Potluck Lunch from 12:00 to 3:00 the second Wednesday of each month; their Pancake Breakfasts the first and third Saturdays from 8:00 to 10:00am; and their crafts every Thursday from 9:00 - 11:00am followed by a bag lunch with card and board games in the afternoon.
The Childcare Program has Open Play every Thursday morning from 10:00 to 11:00am. All toddlers and their caregivers (parents, grandparents, etc.) are welcome.
The Port Teen Center is open for all kinds of activities from right after school until 6:00pm on Monday through Thursday. and stays open until 7:00pm on Fridays. They also have special events and programs going on.
UPCOMING EVENTS
“WHITE NIGHTS”: January 31st, 6:00 - 10:00pm at the Freeport Community Center. Sumptuous appetizers, cash bar, live local music, silent and live auctions; a wonderful evening! $45.00 per person; all proceeds benefit Freeport Community Services.
“BREAKFAST, SNACKS & LUNCHES”: by Mary Lou Carhart & Jennie Gwilym will happen every Tuesday and Thursday beginning February 3rd. The Community Center Snack Bar with seating in the lobby will be open from 8:30am - 1:00pm for anyone wanting a light breakfast, morning snack or soup & sandwich lunch. Fees will be reasonable and will benefit FCS.
“FREEZE OUT”: Sue Mack will once again be spending the night of Feb. 6th in the cold outside of the Freeport Congregational Church to raise funds for the Carol Kaplan Fuel Fund. Stop by to cheer her and to contribute money or canned goods for the Food Pantry. Sue will be joined by Paula O’Brien.
GARDEN PLOTS: It’s time to sign up for a garden plot for the coming Spring & Summer. Contact Sue Mack at 869-1005 if interested.
