New Gloucester News Briefs

New Gloucester Fairground Update
From Cliff Andrews, Fairground Committee Chair

-History
Nancy Wilcox is creating a historical pamphlet of the New Gloucester Fairground. Great pictures.

Eric Purcell presented us with NG Fairground poster from 1883 found in his father's attic. Thank you! We gave it to Historical Society who will clean it up and preserve it for exhibition. If you have any historical information or know of anyone who has any historical information about the NG Fairground, please call Nancy at 926-4213. We hope to have pamphlet ready at least by Community Day.

-Skating Rink
The new skating rink was big success...thanks to all! The Town Crew, Firemen, Skaters and members of the Fairground Committee did a great job plowing and shoveling.

-Cleanup
Please come to the Fairgrounds Saturday, April 23 at 9 a.m. to clean up the skating rink and review needs for Volley ball area to replace skating rink for the summer.

-Infield Improvements
Manure hauling/soil improvements bids have been awarded. Under budget! Hauling nearly complete. Plowing, harrowing, smoothing, spreading, seeding etc being done by Tim Bartlett. Need to get grass growing ASAP.

-YCC
Youth Conservation Corp will work on trails and planting this summer.

-Projects
We have many improvement projects planned for the summer. Please feel free to join us! All are welcome. Call Town office at 926-4126 for more information.

New Gloucester Animal Complaints
March 2005
From: New Gloucester and Gray Animal Control Officer

03/09/05 I received a call from Shaker Road about a stray cat. I picked up the cat and took it to the shelter.

03/19/05 I received a call from Morse Road that a couple had, over time, found some stray cats and fed them. The cats have since had litters of kittens. The people no longer care for the cats properly. When I arrived there were seven adult cats and two day-old kittens. I had the couple sign all of them over to the town, and I took the cats to the shelter.

03/21/05 I received a call from the Sheriff's Department that a dog was hit by a car on Shaker Rd. Information on the dog led me to the owner, and I returned the dog.

03/22/05 I received a call from Allen Road about two stray dogs. I returned them to the owner.

03/25/05 I received a complaint from the Gray-New Gloucester Veterinary Hospital that a citizen had found a dog on Route 100 and dropped it off there. I picked up the dog and took it to the shelter.

03/25/05 I received a call from Merrill Farm Road that there were two stray dogs on his porch. I picked up the dogs and took them to the shelter.

03/30/05 I received a complaint from Notched Pond Estates about a stray dog. I returned it to the owner.

03/31/05 I received a call from Outlet Road about two dogs that were in the lake. I picked them up and took them to the shelter.

Roadside Clean-Up in NG
By Patti Mikkelsen

The New Gloucester Democratic Committee encourages you to celebrate Earth Day by joining a town-wide litter patrol anytime between Thursday, April 21 and Saturday, April 23. You can participate by cleaning up the roadside in your neighborhood whenever you have some free time.

During the interval of litter patrol days, the NG transfer station will be open on: Thursday 9 to 7, Friday 9 to 2, and Saturday 9 to 5. Please recycle whenever possible. Items accepted are: newspapers, #2 corrugated cardboard, glass containers, magazines, HDPE plastic, plus aluminum and tin cans.

The usual disposal fees for bulky waste items will apply during litter patrol days. These fees can be avoided by waiting until New Gloucester's Annual Spring Clean-up on May 10, 12, 13 and 14, during which time these fees are waived. (Please note that the hours on Saturday, May 14 will be extended until 7 p.m.)

Keep in mind these safety tips (some may seem obvious) while performing litter patrol:

1. Children should be carefully supervised.
2. Wear bright colors, closed-in hard soled shoes/boots, long pants and sturdy gloves. Safety glasses (or plastic lens sunglasses) are recommended.

3. Stay alert - watch out for traffic (especially on the numbered highways).

4. Don't overexert yourself. Get assistance when lifting heavy items.

5. Take breaks and drink water.

The rewards for your efforts will be a spruced-up town and possibly some pocket change from bottle and can deposits. Thanks in advance for your help.