News

The Year in Review: stories covered in The Monument Newspaper this year.

January 6 2005:
Gray will sue over Pennell

The Council met in executive session Tuesday, January 4, 2005 to review the legal implications of the opinion, and in the executive session, decided to take the following actions:

--to write a letter to the Attorney General requesting a review of the opinion just rendered. The Council will ask for that to be done within two weeks.
--If the AG declines or the opinion is the same, the Council will petition Superior Court. The Council will ask for an expedited two-month court process. The AG would be the entity arguing for the SAD Trust since the AG handles all trusts in the State of Maine.

As Chair Wilkinson said, "We've gotten to this point, we might as well go further"

January 13, 2005
122nd makes over 2,100 Legislative requests
How many will become law?

Augusta--The 122nd Legislature has convened and over 2,100 Legislative Requests (LR) have been lodged with the Office of Legislative Information. These requests will be drafted, sent to the Legislator who sponsored it, and signed off after scrutiny.

January 20, 2005
Wildlife rehabber finalizes non-profit status

Gray--For fourteen years Gray Wildlife rehabilitator Caryl Widdowsen has donated her time, energy and money to rescuing and rehabilitating injured and sick small mammals. Licensed by the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department, Caryl has devotedly ...

January 27
NG mill rate to go down
Fiscal Year 2005-2006 proposed budget is in

New Gloucester--The proposed budget for fiscal year 2005-2006 is complete and will be discussed at the Board of Selectmen's Budget meeting Monday, January 31, at 7 p.m. in the Meetinghouse. As of now the projected mill rate is $11.34, which is $.21 less than the current mill rate of $11.55.

January 27
Proposed Rezone Vision

Gray--The Gray Council projected an oversized proposed rezoning map on the white wall of Stimson Hall Monday night and discussed their vision for how their proposed rezoning would mesh with the new information about adjusted boundaries of the Aquifer, and also how well the new zone lines and uses would mesh with the recommendations in the Comprehensive plan.

February 3
Libra Foundation interested in Gray agritourism venture
Asks Council for zone change

Gray--Craig Denekas, Vice-President of the Libra Foundation, has asked Planner Dick Cahill and the Town Council to review the zone uses in the Rural Residential and Agricultural (RRA) District so they may begin an agricultural tourism venture at the Merrill Farm in East Gray.

February 10
Selectmen to form committee to study speed

New Gloucester--After three meetings, the Safety Ad Hoc Committee was able to present to the New Gloucester Board of Selectmen their recommendations as to the most cost effective ways to reduce speeding in their neighborhoods

February 10
Draft SAD 15 Budget: 4.75% increase

Gray--The SAD 15 Board of Directors were delivered a 5 inch thick binder at last Wednesday night's Board meeting, the District's draft budget for Fiscal Year 2005-06. The proposed increase is 4.75% over last year.

February 17
SAD 15- outsourced cleaning company quits

Gray-The sixth cleaning company has now left their contract behind and the schools will likely be cleaned by in-house staff. The outsourced company cleaned Russell, Memorial and Dunn Elementary schools, and the Central Office from 4 to 11 p.m. weeknights

February 24
SAD 15 Facilities Committee preparing bond
Wants to upgrade all schools

Gray-Members of the Facilities Committee, a sub-committee of the SAD 15 Board, met last Thursday to hear a report from PDT Architects regarding the status of the SAD 15 schools. The Facilities Committee also has formed a "Facilities Upgrade and Renovation Committee" whose charge is to create and implement a plan to determine the scope of work for facilities upgrade and renovations. That plan includes a bond which the committee hopes will go the voters in November.

February 24
Wildlife Park funds returned
Joe Jones led effort to restore funds

Augusta--Rep. Susan Austin (R-Gray) reported Tuesday that the funds removed from the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife dedicated to the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray have been restored.

March 3
Gray Manager takes heat
Citizens' issues varied

Gray-Tuesday night's council meeting was short on official voting business but long on conversation about the performance of the Manager and the Code Enforcement Officer. (CEO) During Council Correspondence, Council Chair Pam Wilkinson read a letter to the Council.

March 3
What is the 'Creative Economy'?

At a news conference in Augusta on February 18th, Maine Senate President Beth Edmonds put forth a request for a $25 million bond issue to help support Maine's Creative Economy. She based her request on a just completed survey by the Cultural Affairs Council of Maine

March 3
New Gloucester Postmaster sworn in

New Gloucester-- Postmaster Sandra Dresser can now drop the "Officer In Charge" from her professional title. Ms. Dresser was sworn in last Thursday as New Gloucester's Postmaster in a ceremony held at the American Legion Hall.

March 17
Wilkinson will not run

Gray-- Pam Wilkinson, two-term Councilor and current chair of the Board, announced Tuesday night that she does not plan to seek a third term

March 17
DOT wants to discontinue road in Upper Village
Road behind Wing's to be discontinued?

Another state maintained road under discussion was the portion of state road that extends off Rt. 4 behind Wing's Tank N Tummy

March 23
Gray Fire-Rescue asks for $10,000
Planning a Fall festival

Gray--To celebrate 125 years of protecting the safety of Gray citizens, Gray Fire-Rescue has asked the Town of Gray to chip in $10,000 toward their Celebration Day, expected to cost $50,000

March 23
New Gloucester Budget down
Public hearing Monday, March 28

New Gloucester-- The budget as drafted proposes to spend $6,486,848, which is almost a half million less than was spent last year.

March 31
Council-citizen meltdown
Ferocious exchange shocks observers

Gray--The Town Council held a scheduled workshop beginning at 6 p.m. on Monday at Stimson Hall that had all the marks of responsible civic interaction for two hours and forty minutes. The last five minutes were another story…Abruptly, Ms. Olson rose, whacked both hands on the table, leaned far forward, and shouted, "Shut up! Shut up! You are driving me crazy, woman! I have waited for months to say that!"

March 31
Selectmen deny citizen warrant request

New Gloucester--In New Gloucester, with the Selectmen form of government, citizens have the right to ask Selectmen to place items on the list of warrant items to be considered at Town meeting. Monday night, citizen Penny Hilton asked Selectmen to consider placing a warrant item to the list entitled, "A Resolution To Protect Maine National Guardsmen And Their Families."

April 7
Manager contract draws criticism

Gray--Town Manager Mitchell A. Berkowitz was hired four years ago to administer the operations of the Town of Gray. What drew their attention was that the contract was to be amended in the middle of its cycle. The change would extend Mr. Berkowitz's employment to 2007. The current contract ends in 2006 and was executed only eight months ago.

April 14
Local Developers for TIF extension

Gray--Local developers Walter Hebold and Ron Marcotte of M36 Associates approached the Community Economic Development Committee (CEDC) a few months ago to request that their Tax Increment Financing District be amended. A TIF is a defined

April 14
School Renovations
What will voters approve?

Gray--The Renovations Update Committee, a Sub-committee of the SAD 15 Facilities Committee, has a growing population. It started with Chair Peter Pinkerton, a sprinkling of Board members and citizens, easily fitting around the small elementary school library table

April 21
Citizens plead with Council
Pleas fall on deaf ears

Gray-The natives spoke for three hours Tuesday night at the regular Council meeting, and if their comments are any indication, they are restless. At their last Council meeting on April 5, the Council had approved extending by one year the Manager's contract. Ms. Olson would not allow any further discussion regarding the Manager contract issue.

April 28
Zoning End Game

Gray-The citizens and the Council and Manager argued about the difference between the letter of the law and the intent of the Council at Monday's council workshop meeting, and most left unsatisfied that the town-wide zoning review process was on the right track.

May 5
Council Chair wants TIF vote redux

Gray--Town Council Chair Pam Wilkinson was on vacation during the last Council meeting and returned disappointed to discover that her fellow Councilors had voted down the proposed changes to the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan at Northbrook Business Park. On Tuesday, she tried to get her fellow members to reconsider that vote.

May 5
Town Meeting vs. School Graduation
Simultaneous scheduling gaffe

Gray--At the last Council meeting, citizen Jean Bibber alerted the Council to a scheduling conflict that had been overlooked by the local officials; the Annual Gray Town Meeting and the SAD 15 High School graduation had been scheduled for the same morning, Saturday, June 11.

May 26
Town considering Libby Hill purchase
Splitting cost of appraisal, first

Gray--On May 17 at their regular meeting, the Council voted to pay half of the cost of an appraisal on a 29-acre parcel atop Libby Hill. The land is currently owned by Hancock Land Management Company but is between a parcel that the Town already owns and a parcel that the SAD 15 owns. Hancock wants to sell and the Town may be interested in buying.

June 2
Special Ed Director contract not renewed
Is suing the District

Gray--Christina Manikas was hired 6 years ago as Director of Special Services for MSAD 15, Gray-New Gloucester. As a Director, her contract has a term and at the end of the term may or may not be renewed by her supervisor, the Superintendent

June 16
Voting results:
Gray, NG voters opt for newcomers

June 14
GPLA fundraising for Pennell
Letter to Gray Historical Society members asking for help

The Gray Public Library Association (GPLA) is raising funds to match a $100,000 donation intended for Library expansion. The GPLA is hoping to occupy Pennell Institute, if the Attorney General allows the trust overriding the building to be transferred from the School Administrative District (SAD) to the GPLA. The building, currently empty, needs about $1.5 million in repairs before occupation can begin.

June 23
Councilor Sturgis resigns
Foster becomes chair

Gray--The first Council meeting of the new year concluded Tuesday night, with surprise moves and astonishing episodes occurring in front of an audience of about thirty.

June 23
Fairgrounds building may be listed on Register
Another of many buildings with historical value

New Gloucester--New Gloucester citizens approved the purchase of the formerly known Trotter's Park almost three years ago, and ever since, various Town committees have been working to improve the 31 acre site.

June 30
Anatomy of a rumpus: Pennell misunderstandings grow to flashpoint

Gray--Last Thursday, when the group got settled around the table and the Pennell meeting began, it didn't take long for tempers to rise as disparate expectations crumbled in the face of the collective reality. Angry words were said, members stomped out of the meeting, and soon after, the e-mails started flying.

July 14
Council hears three hours of comment
Pennell still emotional for public

Gray--About 45 people came to Stimson Hall Tuesday, July 5 to express their opinion on how the Pennell issue was proceeding, but waited through completion of the other Council business that was ahead of that issue on the agenda first.

July 21
Council to seek clarity on conflict of interest issue
Library Trustees also acting as GPLA directors

Gray--At what point when citizens perform double and even triple duty on various Boards and Committees does that duty conflict? That was the question that Vice-Chair of the Town Council Andy Upham raised Tuesday night at the regular Council meeting when he wondered of Library Trustee Peter Gerardo and Ray Clark's duty both as Library Trustees and GPLA Directors conflict

July 21
SAD 15 Special Ed Director resigns
Ms. Manikas forfeits contract renewal battle

Gray--Christina Manikas resigned her position as MSAD # 15 Director of Special Services on June 9. Her three-sentence resignation letter was addressed to Board Chair Dr. Alan Rich.

July 21
New Gloucester local to compete in YMCA Peaks-to-Portland Swim
24th Annual YMCA Peaks-to-Portland Swim, July 23

Portland, ME - The chill of Maine's waters is enough to keep most people firmly planted on the shore. However, on July 23rd, 160 swimmers will take a bold plunge

July 28
GPLA plans to present bond
Would ask taxpayers for $660,000

Gray--The Gray Public Library Association (GPLA) has recently been awarded a coveted status, that of a tax-exempt corporation. They are listed as a public charity and one of their missions is to raise funds for capital improvements for the Library.

July 28
Summer Fun!

We asked for 'Summer Fun' photos in our Second Annual Summer Fun series, and the photos you all sent in are fantastic. There were so many that we will run part two next week.

August 11
Team Bean

Saturday was the first day of the annual two-day MS Bike Tour, and New Gloucester rider Micah Hilton had a great day. Micah is the SAD 15 graduate who in 2000 joined the relatively elite group of hikers who have hiked the whole Appalachian Trail (AT) in one season, a story reported in this paper. Since then, Micah has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis but undaunted, he wanted to participate in the Bike Tour…

August 11
Area athletes in Beach To Beacon

The State's most popular 10K run was held last weekend and among the 5,000 runners were 25 athletes from Gray and 10 from New Gloucester. ...

August 18
Applicant fails to apply for MG permit on time
Council asks why ordinance not upheld

Gray-The Gray Town Council dealt with issues both large in scope and small in nature Tuesday night, but tempers still flared and discussions generated much comment from the public.
Mass Gathering permit problem: Mr. Crane brought up a question under non-agenda items, as to when the public hearing for the Fire Association's mass gathering would be held. This query opened a can of worms that ended up raining down anger upon the Manager.

August 25
Selectmen approve Fairgrounds use
Two applicants apply to use the facility

New Gloucester--Three years ago, at a special Town Meeting the New Gloucester Selectmen proposed to the citizens that they buy Trotters Park, renamed New Gloucester Fairgrounds, the historic horse park and agricultural fair scene sited in west New Gloucester. Citizens said no. The next year, the Selectmen asked again, this time the price tag had been lowered. The citizens said yes.

September 9
Ex-locals lost everything to Katrina

Terri Anderson (formerly Robinson and Foss) and her husband Ken have recently lost everything they own to Hurricane Katrina. Many of you may know Terri because she attended Gray / New Gloucester high school and worked for Pineland Center.

September 15
Along for the ride
First-day school bus mix-ups

In Gray-New Gloucester five children had a much more thrilling first day of school than they or their parents bargained for. The normal first day mix-ups were compounded by bus numbering inconsistencies, and other events that rapidly resulted in frantic phone calls from parents asking why their child didn't get off the bus, and as the afternoon dragged on, demands to know where they were, exactly.

September 15
Utility Test proves versatile hunting dogs

The situation was tense. Not a dog barked. Not a duck quacked. Not an owner coughed. The camouflaged hunters in the bush waited as if they were statues, wondering if the German Short haired pointer would pass.

September 22
Hall, Burrow to help guide Library

Gray--At Tuesday's regular Council meeting, several candidates for various committee positions were conducted. Two Gray residents had applied for two Library Trustee positions, Richard Hall and Joyce Burrow.

September 22
Hard work and love

New Gloucester--Rowdy, Finny, and Koning are, walked, coddled, brushed, and talked to. They have a doting mom and a doting dad, are walked every day and have 11 acres on which to romp. They are Pam Fellows's babies and no baby was more loved than these three horses. ...

September 29
Sharing a School of thought

Dry Mills Schoolhouse Committee hosts Raymond-Casco Historical Society
Gray--A summit of knowledgeable volunteers convened at the Dry Mills Schoolhouse last Saturday morning to network and discuss proper maintenance of their common assets: the few remaining one-room schoolhouses in their towns.

October 6
Council's executive session raises ire

Gray--A planned executive session by the Gray Town Council has raised the ire of two of the former members of the preceding Council. In September Chair Gary Foster called for an executive session for September 29, to which the remaining members of the Council attended, but not the Manager.

October 13
New Gloucester makes Boomtown list
Cited for high quality and economic development

New Gloucester--What separates the thriving towns from the struggling ones? Do the people within a prosperous town approach their lives differently than those in a struggling town? According to Jack Schultz, author of "Boomtown USA: 7 1/2 Keys to Big Success in Small Towns," the answer is yes, and New Gloucester has done it.

October 13
New Education Coordinator at Wildlife Park

Jessie Farrington became the new Education Coordinator at the Maine Wildlife Park after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Southern Maine this past May.

October 20
New fire station for New Gloucester?
At long last, land is found
New Gloucester--New Gloucester Selectmen Monday night voted to approve what will eventually become a warrant item for voters to consider at a Special Town Meeting, purchasing a 25-acre tract of land that would be home to a new Upper Village Fire Station. The land is across from Pine Tree Seeds on Rt. 100, is relatively flat, in a great location, and the price is right, Selectmen Chair Steve Libby said Monday night.

October 20
GPLA challenge grant withdrawn
$100,000 gone just like that

Gray--Last year, an anonymous donor had offered $100,000 to the Gray Public Library to aid in a recommended expansion. Now that donor is taking it away, the GPLA, Library Trustees, and Gray Town Council learned this week.

October 27
Citizens deliver message: limit spending
TABOR petitions arrive at Secretary of State

Gray---So what's it like to traverse the state of Maine over the course of a year helping to gather 54,000 signatures? What's it like to have to move from your hometown because you can't afford the property taxes any more? What's it like to be part of a group asked to leave an air show even though you'd already been approved for signature gathering? Ask Gray residents Gary Foster and Jack Wibby.

November 3
Trick or Treat at Selectmen meeting

New Gloucester--The Halloween night Selectmen's meeting was short and very sweet, interrupted only once...by trick or treaters. The Board, down for the count by two with Lynn Conger and Kevin Sullivan absent, the remaining Selectmen forged ahead and approved the Woodman Road bid spec package.

November 3
Failed Bridge and empty buildings concern Council

Gray--A failing bridge, spending money to get money, and empty buildings concerned the Gray Town Council Tuesday night as they discussed and voted on short agenda items that took a long time to decide.

November 11
10M School Bond passes

SAD Board member Peter Pinkerton said he is "pleased and delighted" with the result of Tuesday's vote, which approved a 10 million dollar bond for Gray-New Gloucester schools. ...

November 11
Why hasn't GPLA raised any money?
Council wondered Monday night

Gray--Monday night the Gray Town Council sank their teeth into the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and discussed how many buildings the Town owns, which ones need the most repair, and which to perhaps sell. They reviewed capital requests known and upcoming, such as the potential bestowal of Pennell Institute to the Town through civil action before a judge now. They also discussed the two lines in the CIP that pointed to two of the Library's upcoming capital requests.

November 11
Council, Manager talk in Executive Session

Gray--The Town Council went into executive session Monday night to discuss their expectations of Manager Mitchell A. Berkowitz and they stayed behind closed doors for over an hour.

November 17
Selectmen shocked with CIP request
4.2 M too much, they said

New Gloucester--Selectmen and Manager Rosemary Kulow sat down Monday night to go over the Capital Improvement requests lodged from the Town Departments, and Chair Steve Libby said he was shocked and overwhelmed with the requests totaling 4.2 million dollars.

November 17
Gray's regulatory quagmire

Gray--Why is it so hard for businesses to accomplish renovations, expansions, or other items that are regulated by the Town of Gray? Why does it take so long for businesses to get through the Planning Board process when in other Towns such processes are streamlined and enable businesses to get off the ground much faster? Why does Gray have such a rotten reputation when it comes to business?

November 17
Student Fight sends one to doctor, other to police
Is there a climate change at the High School?

Gray--A fight between a white and a black Gray-New Gloucester High school students last week ended with one being taken to the doctor, the other to the police and sent the school into lockdown, yet Superintendent Victoria Burns said the fight was not racially motivated and Principal Penna says there is no climate change at the high school.

November 17
Pennell still pending
Court won't consider case until May
Gray--Creaky doors, cobwebs, and smelly furnaces greeted all five Gray Town Councilors as they began their tour of several Town buildings Tuesday afternoon. With several Councilors not having seen all or parts of several of the buildings in the spotlight for upcoming Capital Improvement

November 17
No conflict of interest at Planning Board
Council discusses sensitive issue

Gray--When Gray resident Pat Watson discovered that the Chair of the Planning Board is married to the woman who takes minutes for the Board, a paid position, she became troubled.

November 24
Grocery Store interested in Gray

Gray--Community Economic Development Committee chair Julie Sheets reported to the CEDC members last Wednesday night that she had been contacted by Realtor Rhonda Lee who is representing Mr. Elvin Copp. Mr. Copp owns 32 acres of land just south of Gray Plaza worth 1.4 million dollars on the open market.

December 1
Teachers protest lack of contract

Gray--Protesting a lack of a contract after eight months of negotiations, Gray-New Gloucester teachers, waving picket signs and encouraging cars and trucks to honk, lined Shaker Road shoulder to shoulder in front of the Superintendent's Office Tuesday

December 15
Fifty people attend vision meeting

New Gloucester growing, citizens to determine direction
New Gloucester is growing and growing fast. Housing units have increased 39% since 1990, Cumberland County, only 12% in that same time. 141 housing units were added in the last four years, and the employment base has more than tripled in the last 15 years