News

Gray Town Manager Report
By Mitchell A. Berkowitz

County Budget Advisory Committee Meetings:

The Council Advisory Committee will hold budget meetings in December for Public Input. These will be held as follows:

Dec. 8, 2005 7:00PM Scarborough Town Hall
Dec. 12, 2005 7:00 PM Portland City Hall
Dec. 14, 2005 7:00 PM Naples Town Hall
Dec. 15, 2005 6:00 PM Freeport Town Offices

Hunt's Davis Bridge Repairs:

The repairs to the bridge have been completed and the Contractor planned to complete all of the pavement and guard rail work last week. If this occurs, the bridge would then be opened for use. According to Steve LaVallee, Public Works Director, the Shaw Brothers Construction has done a great job both in the quality of work as well as the completion within a short time frame. Once the contract was awarded there was concern that final paving would not take place until spring but with the work in the field going well and the cooperative temperatures, all the paving was completed now.

The Hunt's Davis Bridge was a planned repair as part of the Towns' Capital Investment Plan which had to be moved up to this fall due to the existing structure deterioration. The bridge was closed at the end of September and the Town attempted to shorten the inconvenience this created.

Crystal Lake Drainage:

The Public Works Department has replaced a failed drainage pipe that may have had some impact as to the level of Crystal Lake. After receiving calls by concerned property owners of the Lake's level, the Department did locate a failed 18" pipe south of Crystal Lake. They replaced it with a 24" pipe at a lower elevation helping to drain the pond level which may have affected the lake level due to the poor drainage. The unusually warm temperatures and rain also contribute to the very wet soils which create some basement flooding.

Annual MTA Visit:

Each year around this time the representative of the Maine Turnpike Authority visits the corridor communities to make contact, share thoughts and take away local issues of importance. Chair Gary Foster and myself will be meeting with the MTA Director Conrad Wetzel on Monday, Dec. 12. One of the key points will be the Town's continued concerns that the construction of the By-pass be done in the most efficient and timely manner and that any changes in the construction schedule including the bridge work be immediately relayed to the Town.

Training Sessions:

On Friday, December 9, I will be attending two sessions held by MMA. The morning session will be to discuss the Range Rider program in Maine. As a committee member each will bring their thoughts and expectations to this valuable resource and how we can increase the number of qualified persons willing to assist a community on an interim basis as a temporary manager. The second session will be the afternoon workshop on ethics for Managers.

Central Corridor Coalition Meeting:

On Wed. Dec. 12 in N. Yarmouth, the CCC will meet at 6:30 PM to continue efforts on a more regional basis for access management, MDOT winter maintenance and joint capital equipment purchasing for local communities.

Town Holiday Schedule:

During the upcoming Holiday Season the regular schedule for various town services will change slightly. The following schedule is offered as a reminder to our citizens.

Town Offices
Friday-December 16- 8:00 a.m.- noon- Open
Friday-December 23- 8:00 a.m.- noon-Open
Monday-December 26- Closed
Monday-January 2, 2006- Closed
Transfer Station
Saturday-December 24- 7-11:00 a.m.- Open
Sunday-December 25th- Closed
Sunday-January 1- Closed
Library
Saturday-December 24- Closed
Saturday-December 31- 9-3 p.m.- Open