Letter to the Editor:
The Community Economic Development Committee (CEDC) would like to comment on the March 14th article about the water main expansion ["Water main expansion ‘not feasible’]. At the request of the Town Council, the CEDC is reviewing the Gorrill-Palmer engineering report for the Rt. 100 TIF that was ordered when revised revenue projections showed that the project was still viable whether Gobeil’s Furniture expanded or not.

The project for a 2.4 mile expansion of the water line from Gray center south on Rt. 100 is still feasible. There has been no change in the wetland area that the water line would pass through, and the economic outlook for the area south of Gray center has been considerably enhanced by the relocation of the Post Office and increased local traffic to the area. Further issues being investigated are changes in the Maine law for TIF’s, implications from the Yarmouth Lumber groundwater problems, and opportunities to partner with the Gray Water District as they look to upgrade/replace the current main water storage tank.

The Gorrill-Palmer report updated the cost estimates and provided some alternatives to the water storage tank budget item. They felt that completing one-third of the water line extension and replacing the main water storage tank for the Water District was their top alternative, but it is not the only solution. The CEDC will be completing the further research on these Rt. 100 TIF issues prior to making a recommendation to the Council.

Sincerely,
Gray Community Economic Development Committee
Donnie Carroll, Leona Crooker, Gil Hendry, Lida Hutchings, Chris Lewis, Lynn Olson

First try and at the ballot box
Hard to believe it’s already time to think about another school budget. We all know that the voters must pass a budget every year. My goal is to make sure the budget the towns vote on the first time is a budget the towns will pass. I do not want to send a budget to vote that will fail. Will you help?

I’m not asking for a "yes" vote now--all I’m asking for is input. An advance copy of the budget may be picked up from the Superintendent’s office, from the website at www.msad15.org, or you can see an overview of the work-in-progress at the New Gloucester Selectmen meeting on April 1, Gray Town Council April 2, or the School Board meeting April 3.

If you can, take a couple of moments and convey your thoughts:
--Has the School Board done a sufficient job at holding the bottom line?
--Is there something we are funding that you feel we should not?
--Is there anything missing from the budget?
--Are there other concerns or thoughts relating to the proposed budget?

The voting debacle last year hurt our towns and hurt our schools. The Board wants to present a budget on June 11th that will result in a "yes" outcome.

Whatever your differences with our Superintendent, the Board, or me personally, I hope you can set them aside. In the end, we all want what is best for the towns and best for our schools.

Sincerely,
Sarah McCleary, MSAD 15 Board Chair,
657-5525 mccleary@maine.com

To The Editor:
I would like to publicly thank six New Gloucester and Gray Rescue members who came to my aide on the night of March 19 after a nasty fall down my front steps. Thank you to Mary Rich, Janice Parsons, Roger Levasseur, and Elaine Verrill of New Gloucester for treating me at home, and to Stephanie Berryman and Robert Egan of Gray for transporting me to St. Mary's.

Although I wish we could have all met on better terms, I must say the six of you made my first real medical emergency and ambulance ride one of the best any injured person could ask for. And yes, my back is feeling much better. Thank you all very much once again.

Melanie Joy, New Gloucester

To the Community:
The Superintendent of Schools will be hosting a live Call-In Show on Friday, March 29, 2002, beginning at 7 p.m. to hear your thoughts on the Memorial Russell Renovation Project.

The Department of Education recently completed the site visits of both schools. They agree that both schools need attention. They have asked if our communities would consider combining our applications to build one school. They cite the cost savings to taxpayers and the efficiency over time of running one school versus two. They make no commitments of funding the one school application over the two-school application, but strongly encourage doing so as a means of possibly improving our overall rating. The Board does not have to commit to a building site at this time, only that they will consider combining the application to improve the chances of funding.

The Board of Directors wants to hear from you as to what you think is in the best interests of our students, our taxpayers, and the communities as a whole.

Please take a moment to call on March 29 and share your questions or comments. The number is: 926-4126. (Cable TV Channel 3, New Gloucester Meeting House)

If you are unable to call please plan to attend the Board of Directors Meeting on April 3 at 7 p.m. at Stimson Hall in Gray at that time to share your thoughts.

Sincerely,
MSAD 15 Superintendent Michael Wood