Lots to do:

Spaghetti Supper - Maine Hawks AAU Girls Basketball Team
Thursday, May 1 , 4-7pm, Eliot Methodist Church, Rte 236, Eliot.
Adults $5.00 Children under 12 $3.00
Take a night off from cooking and enjoy a good spaghetti dinner.
Where else can you go and feed a family of 4 for under $20 !!!
The Maine Hawks girl’s basketball team is going to Ireland in July to the International Basketball Festival. The girls will play some basketball games and tour Ireland’s beautiful country.

Diva Dress Sale - Marshwood 8th Grade Social
Friday, May 2, 6:30-8:30pm
Saturday, May 3, 10:00am-2:00pm
5 Formal Dresses Donated by Madeline’s Daughter $25 each
Huge Selection of barely used fancy dresses in all sizes $5 & $10 each
To benefit the Marshwood 8th Grade Social – Upstairs at The Little Hat Company

Book Sale to benefit Friends of South Berwick Library
Annual Book Sale, Saturday May 3, 9-1 (raindate May 10)
South Berwick Library, Portland St., South Berwick, ME
It’s fun and it is a big fundraiser for the Friends! Support your local library and get great deals on books.
More Info http://www.friendsofsouthberwicklibrary.org/

Lend a Helping Hand Community Fun Day Great Works School
Penny Sale, Silent & Live Auction
Saturday, May 3, 2008, 2:00pm ~ 6:00pm
Marshwood Great Works School Gymnasium
Penny Sale Tickets on sale now. Tickets are $1.00 for 25 in advance or $2.00 at the door
Admission is FREE ~ Donation Bucket at the door
Please bring a canned food/non-perishable food item as a donation to be given to Footprints Food Pantry in Kittery and the South Berwick Food Pantry
2:00pm-4:00pm ~ Penny Sale & Silent Auction Bidding
4:00pm-5:00pm ~ Prize Distribution
5:00pm-6:00pm ~ Live Auction
Must be present to win!
Join us for Food (served on Green products)
Pony Rides (Lyman Hill Farm)
And more………..

Orris Falls Hike with Great Works Regional Land Trust
Sunday, May 4, 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Meet at the Orris Falls Conservation Area trail head on Thurrell Road. Rain date May 11. FMI call 207-646-3604, 384-2195 or email pattimitchem@gwrlt.org. http://www.gwrlt.org

Hike through on the old colonial trail from Thurrell Road to Emery’s Bridge Road, with stops at the ‘Big Bump’, Orris Falls, Tatnic Ledges and Balancing Rock. In the event high water prevents us from crossing the stream which feeds Orris Falls we will view the Falls, the old foundations, hike to the Big Bump, then head back to the trail head and drive around to Emery’s Bridge Road in order to hike to Balancing Rock and Tatnic Ledges.

Marshwood Travel Soccer Sign-Ups
To be held at the following locations:
Friday, May 9, 6-8pm at the Marshwood Middle School in Eliot, Saturday, May 10, 9-11am at the South Berwick Town Hall and Sunday, May 11, 12-3:30pm at the Agamenticus Soccer Fields in South Berwick.
The registration Fee is $130.00 and the program is open to all 3rd – 8th graders that meet the age guidelines from the towns of Eliot, South Berwick and Rollinsford.
For more information:
http://www.eteamz.com/MarshwoodTravelSoccer

USSF Soccer Referee Class
Saturday & Sunday, May 17 & 18
9:00am-5:00pm at the Marshwood High School Learning Center, South Berwick, ME.
The fee is $85.00 which covers the class and first year of registration. If interested please sign up by email to eliotme@comcast.net Questions, please contact Bob Collins at 207-451-9202. Please include your name, address, phone, email and date of birth including the year when registering. Make checks payable to Bob Collins, checks must be mailed prior to class to finalize registration. Class size is limited.

Here’s the skinny on tonight’s town council meeting:

Town Council Meeting - April 28, 2008

Councilor Gagne was not present.

Organizational – Elect Council Chair
-Councilor Jean Demetracopoulos was elected as Council Chair

Reports
Bruce Whitney reported on the status of two vacant lots the town wishes to sell. The lots were acquired through a tax seizure. He explained that in order to sell the properties would need clear title. He explained work that has been done on behalf of the town to get the clear title. The town’s choices are to sue the directors of the now defunct company that formerly owned the property or wait until 2009 when a 15 year waiting period will expire. The council agreed to wait until 2009 rather than incur any legal expenses that would arise from a lawsuit.

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You may know Andrew Mendola in his role as Stocking and Checkout Specialist at Nature’s Way Market. He is the person who keeps the shelves stocked and knows where everything is at the market. He has worked there since it opened in November 2007. At the beginning he spent a lot of time in the cellar trying to work out the logistics of storage, stock rotation, and fitting everything into the store. Now you are more likely to see him upstairs helping to make sure everything is where it is supposed to be and helping customers find what they need.

What you may not know about Andrew is that he is a musician who plays lead guitar in the jam band Superfrog. Andrew has been playing guitar for a while but became more serious and focused about his music after attending a week long seminar at Berklee College of Music. Superfrog has had a busy calendar this spring playing shows all over New England, including at Bourbon’s and the Blue Mermaid in Portsmouth and the Brick House in Dover. You can find out more about the band at www.superfrogmusic.com and hear music from the band. (I’m listening to the band while I write this–they are very talented)

At nineteen, Andrew has lived in South Berwick his whole life. He likes his job at Nature’s Way Market and plans to continue pursuing his career in music. This summer he will participate in a five-week program at Berklee College of music where he will be immersed in all aspects of performance. From there he’s ready to see where his music takes him.

Superfrog will be doing an acoustic show at the Blue Mermaid in Portsmouth on May 9. Check out their website for all the details. I also heard a rumor that Superfrog may be performing in South Berwick during the Strawberry Festival.

There is magic in the air in South Berwick and writer Victoria Kent and illustrator James Vaughn have teamed up to capture it in their new children’s book, The Magic of Mrs. Magee. The two have brought their unique talent and world view to collaborate on a story about fanciful creatures and their magical gifts.

Victoria Kent, who goes by V.E. Kent discovered or, depending on how you look at it, was discovered by the book’s main character, Mrs. Magee, when V.E. offered to be the entertainment at a friend’s child’s birthday party. For the party she transformed into the Irish fortune teller Maggie Magee who told each child a fortune designed to help them value the special gift that they each possess. Not only did the children respond to the character of Maggie Magee, but adults were also intrigued. V.E. began making more appearances as Mrs. Magee and began to weave a story around the character. She also realized that her alter ego allowed her to speak to children in a direct and honest way that encourages self appreciation without being condescending.

The character of Mrs. Magee haunted V.E. and she began forming the story into a book. The collaboration with James Vaughn began when V.E. chanced upon one of his intricate pencil drawings that was displayed at SoBo Book & Bean. She bought the artwork and called James.

(more…)

Only one meeting on the schedule:

Town Council
April 28, 2008 – Council Chambers - 6:00pm
Organizational – Elect Council Chair
Executive Session – 1 MRSA 405-6E Discuss Pending Litigation between Joseph Rousselle and the Town of South Berwick v. Janis Dickson and Ernest Dickson
Unfinished Business
1. Discuss Comprehensive Plan.
New Business
1. Discuss/take action on Solid Waste Committee charge.
2. Discuss/take action on Safety Enhancement Grant.
3. Take action on Strategic Underage Drinking Enforcement Grant.
4. Approve consent order between Joseph Rousselle and the Town of South Berwick v. Janis Dickson and Ernest Dickson.
5. Take action on SMRPC General Assembly membership.
6. Adopt budget for fiscal year 2009 and sign warrant for town meeting.
7. Accept resignation from Library Advisory Board.
8. Sign warrant calling for special town meeting on May 12th.
Executive Session – 1 MRSA 405-6D Discuss Police Union Contract.

Read the full agenda…

South Berwick budget slashed
Portsmouth Herald
Town councilors sharpened their pencils and pared an 18 percent increase in the town budget to 13 percent this week.

Elected South Berwick town officials face many challenges
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Job description: attend multiple meetings a week, address questions and concerns from residents at all times, …

Old Berwick Historical Society Talk
Thursday, April 24, 2008,7:30 pm
Berwick Academy, Fogg Memorial Building
“The Making of Strawbery Banke “ — Author Dennis Robinson presents the compelling history of this 10 acre museum that was born out of a controversial urban renewal project, and explores the politics of preservation in a small blue collar city amid difficulties that bedevil nonprofit agencies to this day.

Admission is free . At Berwick Academy, please enter on the Fogg Memorial driveway and use the parking lot at the top of the hill. Info: phone (207)384-0000 or www.obhs.net

Old Berwick Historical Society Walking Tour of Old Fields Burying Ground
Saturday, April 26, 1:00 pm (rain date: Saturday, May 3) Free of charge

South Berwick’s former community cemetery is located near the corner of Vine and Brattle Streets. Dating from the 1600s, it contains the graves of early colonists, veterans’ from the Civil War, and soldiers of the American Revolution. The community’s main church stood here and residents worked at sawmills on the Great Works River and a shipyard near the Hamilton House.  Info: phone (207)384-0000 or www.obhs.net

The squill have covered the ground in a carpet of blue in the aisle garden behind the Sarah Orne Jewett House on Main Street.

Berwick campus celebrates Earth and ingenuity
Portsmouth Herald News
Up on the hill at Berwick Academy on Friday morning, more than 600 students, faculty and staff members formed a …

SAD 35 reinstates special education post
Portsmouth Herald News
In response to parents’ concerns, School Administrative District 35 will add back one special education instructor …

The Town Council has made some headway on getting the budget down. They’ve got spending down below 2008 levels but revenues from excise taxes, car registrations, and building permits continue to be way below expectations so it still means a tax increase. Read more in this Foster’s Daily Democrat article:

South Berwick looking at tax rate increase due to revenue shortfall
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Though the Town Council has slashed nearly $1 million from the first draft of its 2009 municipal budget — in the process actually bringing expenditures below 2008 levels — taxpayers are still looking at a tax rate increase due to a factor largely out of town’s control: revenue.

Berwick Academy students participated in their annual Service Day on April 18 by helping resident Bruce Whitney, a member of the South Berwick Cemetery Association, clean up Old Fields Burying Ground on Vine Street.

Photo by Amory Mansfield.

Join a Natural Step for Communities Study Circle in South Berwick
Imagine municipalities whose government operations become 100% fossil fuel free. Or communities that change depressed local economies to thriving economies, creating over 200 eco-enterprises. A dream? Far from it: the Natural Step For Communities provides inspiring examples of communities that have made dramatic changes toward sustainability, and explains how others can emulate their success.

The Circles will be reading Natural Step for Communities along with a study circle guide. Study Circles begin on Sundays May 18th or on Fridays May 2nd and meet for 8 weeks to explore step by step the processes for change. Group size is limited to 8, meeting time is 7pm to 8:30. For more information on Sundays call Gail Santos 207-384-8116 or email gailoae@gwi.net for Fridays call Rebecca Gray 207-457-5442 0r email gray_Rebeccam@yahoo.com

ChallengerSports Soccer Camp
South Berwick Youth Soccer (SBYS) is once again hosting a soccer camp run by Coaches from ChallengerSports. ChallengerSports British Soccer is “the #1 Soccer Camp in the US and Canada”. Camp will be held during the week of July 28-August 1 at the Agamenticus Soccer fields in South Berwick. Half day and Full Day camps will be offered for boys and girls in Kindergarten through 12th grade. A mini soccer program is available for ages 3-6.

Online registration is recommended at www.challengersports.com or contact Marcia Flinkstrom for information on registering by mail. (mflinkstrom@comcast.net or 384-5041)

Special Needs Parent Network (SNPN)
The Special Needs Parent Network (SNPN) was formed to provide support, resources and information to families raising a child with special needs. Special needs includes, but are not limited to, Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delays, Diabetes, mental health and chronic health issues. Our meetings are held the Last Friday of each month (September through May) at the Family Resource Center located at Landmark Hill, US Route One, Kittery. Meetings begin at 7:00pm. Please contact Marcia Flinkstrom for more information (207-384-5041 or mflinkstrom@comcast.net) If you are interested in joining our online Yahoo group, please email Lisa Richard at maine4lily@yahoo.com.

Berwick retail project may bring real change
Foster’s Daily Democrat
But he added that Jellison, who was in Florida this week, loves the location, which is just south of the North Berwick town line and just north of the South Berwick town line. “It may take a little longer for this to get off the ground,” Gallucci said.

Woman killed in Route 236 crash
Foster’s Daily Democrat
A young woman was killed this morning in a two-car, head-on crash on Route 236 this morning involving a sedan and a tractor-trailer truck.

It’s brush fire danger time of year
Portsmouth Herald News
An Eliot, Maine, firefighter exits the woods where a brush fire at the Kittery landfill went to three alarms during a sunny but windy afternoon recently…

Drivers take notice: Memorial Bridge closes today
Portsmouth Herald News
The Memorial Bridge will close today at 7 a.m. and re-open on Saturday morning at 7 a.m., prohibiting vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic and limiting marine access…

Monday, April 21
Patriots Day-Town Offices Closed All Day

Tuesday, April 22
Budget Workshop
5:00 PM - Council Chambers

Special Town Council Meeting
Executive Session – 1MRSA §405.6A – Personnel, discuss interim manager position.
6:00 PM - Council Chambers

Local papers are running an Associated Press article that gives a round up of new laws from the 2008 Maine legislative session . Read the full story in Foster’s Daily Democrat. Here are a few of the law changes:

• The minimum wage goes from $7 per hour to $7.50 over a two-year period.
• A statewide unified building code will give contractors a single set of standards to follow rather than rules that vary from town to town.
• Vehicle registrations will rise from $25 to $35. Title and vanity plate fees also rise.
• There are new incentives to keep downtowns vibrant and encourage the reuse of existing buildings through a historic preservation tax credit.
• Maine’s family medical leave law will cover employees who must take time off from work to care for a sick brother or sister. The law currently covers workers who care for a sick child, spouse, parent or domestic partner.
• It will be illegal to smoke in cars in which children under 16 are present. The law will authorize $50 fines, but for the first year only warnings will be issued.
• Maine outlaws the sale of cigarette lighters that are attractive to children because they come in the shapes of cartoon characters, toys and animals.
• A new law requires manufacturers to disclose the most dangerous chemicals used in consumer products they make; another bans lead in toys and children’s products
• Truckers will not be allowed to let their vehicles idle for more than five minutes when the temperature is above freezing under a bill to conserve energy and promote cleaner air.
• Distributors will pay more beer, wine and soda taxes as part of funding to keep Maine’s Dirigo Health program running.
• Scrap metal processors must pay sellers only with checks and maintain a paper trail to those they pay. Sellers must also sign statements that the metal is not stolen.

Mamie Ney, South Berwick’s new library director, and Don Markley, a York Woods Road resident (who happens to be married to me) took up the Conservation Committee’s Earth Day challenge to clean up the town’s roadsides. Here is their haul from the vicinity of the intersection of Route 91 and Witchtrot Road after just one hour of work. People do throw an amazing array of things on our roads: bottles, cans, stuffed animals, shovels, bags, CDs, buckets, coolers, cigarette packages, clothing, and many unidentified disgusting things.

Looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day?

First Annual Portsmouth Sustainability Festival
Saturday, April 19, 2008, 10am – 4pm, Portsmouth Middle School Grounds

Exhibitors, speakers, an organic food court, a scavenger hunt, and more. The goals are learning and action: visitors will be able to walk away with several things they can do to make their community more environmentally sustainable.

To get into the fair, bring a recyclable item, such as cell phones, ink cartridges, used books, used clothing, lithium batteries, electronics or to make a monetary donation that will be distributed to a non-profit organization.

There will be education forums on issues ranging from the carbon challenge, sustainable aquaculture and waste water to the “Life Cycle of a Sneaker.” Educational exhibits will provide information, fun and activities. Experience the “life size” of their 60-foot inflatable whale.

An early season farmer’s market and food vendors will highlight locally grown food products. There will be live entertainment and a rummage sale/yard sale. More than forty organizations will exhibit on home energy conservation, organic lawncare, environmental cleaning agents, solar and geothermal home energy sources, organic food and much more.

More information at thepsi.net

‘History by the Foot’ in South Berwick
Foster’s Daily Democrat
A new self-guided walking tour brochure has been created to lead South Berwick residents and visitors down streets, past shops, houses, and other 19th-century sites prominent in the life of author Sarah Orne Jewett.

Councilor convinces two officials to stay on the job in South Berwick
Foster’s Daily Democrat
After persuading two town officials to keep their posts after they resigned, Council Chair Sue Roberge is now in the opposite role, as at least one council member intends to convince her stay on as council chair …

Eliot board will challenge CMP
Portsmouth Herald News
The Board of Selectmen will become an intervenor in a case against a Central Maine Power Co. proposal to maintain 9.4 miles of power line that runs through the town. Resident Mary Fournier and nine other residents, …

From Portsmouth Herald, April 16, 2008

For over 35 years, Dennis was a devoted husband to his wife, Terry, and a doting father to his two children. He took pride in his family and basked in their company. He spent many happy hours maintaining and driving his Harley Davidson. He was an avid Red Sox fan and enjoyed annual trips to away games with family and friends. He was also a committed advocate for South Berwick and served on several committees and boards. Dennis loved his hometown and was the chairman of the South Berwick Planning Board for many years. His sense of humor, generosity and ability to take charge defined him. He was a man on which others could depend; many were proud to call him a friend. The family would like to thank everyone whose friendship and support surrounded Dennis during both his life and illness. He will be dearly missed.

SERVICES: An informal gathering to celebrate his life will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday at The Links at Outlook Golf Course in South Berwick. Memorial donations can be sent to the VFW of South Berwick, Post 5744, 16 Butler St., South Berwick, ME, 03908, to support the troops.

Read full obituary…

It looks like the Town Council cut another $500,000 from the budget at a workshop on April 15. Here’s the article from Portsmouth Herald:

South Berwick trims budget
Portsmouth Herald
The Town Council worked with department heads Tuesday night to find an additional $500,000 in budget cuts, bringing the fiscal 2009 year budget request down to a level they hope residents can live with …

South Berwick residents take aim at budget, try to cut tax hike
Foster’s Daily Democrat
The police budget, employee salaries and a lack of economic development in recent years - some of the main contributors to the town’s inflated 2009 budget - were some of the contentious topics debated by …

Asbestos worry raised in Eliot
Portsmouth Herald News
Town resident Christine Thistle said at Thursday evening’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting that she feared trucks may be illegally dumping construction debris or soil laced with loose asbestos at the Great Hill Sand and …

Council reduces Kittery school cuts
Portsmouth Herald News
If politics is, indeed, the art of compromise, town voters are the beneficiaries of the best politics has to offer based on the results of Monday night’s Town Council meeting.

Here’s the skinny on the 4/14/2008 Town Council meeting:

Councilor Comments:
All of the council members spoke of their sadness at the loss of Dennis Smith, who passed away on April 10. They spoke of his selfless dedication to his family and to the town. They described him as a friend, a mentor, a source of inspiration, and an example of how to work with others.

Council Chair Suzanne Roberge made two announcements:
1. She met with Public Works Director Terry Oliver and asked him to reconsider his resignation, which he did so he will continue to be Public Work Director.
1. She resigned from her position as Chair of the Council effective at the end of the meeting. She will continue to serve as a Council Member.

The following actions were taken on the agenda items: (more…)

Monday, April 14
Public Hearing: Fiscal Year 2009 Budget
6:30 PM - Auditorium
Town Budget page with links to proposed budget

Town Council to follow hearing
6:30 PM - Auditorium
On the Agenda:
Old Business
1. Discuss/take action on VFW request for funds.
2. Discuss Comprehensive Plan update.
New Business
1. Discuss/take action on donation to Lion’s Club.
2. Discuss/take action on EMA Director and Deputies.
3. Discuss/take action on acceptance of ATV Enforcement Grant.
4. Discuss/take action on request to apply for Speed Enforcement Grant & Seatbelt Grant.
5. Discuss/take action on disposal fees at transfer station.
6. Discuss/take action regarding petition for Charter recall provision.
7. Take action on St. Michael’s purchase option.
Full Agenda

Tuesday, April 15
Budget Workshop/Tentative
5:00 PM - Town Manager’s Office

Planning Board Meeting CANCELLED
7:00 PM - Council Chambers

A guest essay by South Berwick resident Amy Miller

I had a particularly nice day last week when I bought a pound of ground round and some almonds at the new independent market in the village of South Berwick.

First I bumped into my babysitter, who works the checkout line Wednesday afternoons. It was like running into a family member. My daughter stood there gazing in awe at her teenage mentor, while I wandered in search of cilantro.

Then I ran into a mother and boy from my son’s school and suddenly the two five-year-olds were hugging in the aisle. At the same time, the woman working the deli counter committed a new leather coat to an auction I am running for a mutual friend with cancer, while the store owner immediately agreed to donate wine to the auction.

The wine vendor just happened to be available in the “nail room,” named after the items sold there when this building housed a hardware store. He walked me through the wine selection, explaining that this one is organic while that one is simply made from organic grapes. At checkout, the cashier didn’t even double-check that the owner had donated the bottles. (more…)

I’ve noticed that there are some topics that have ongoing discussions running through lots of different posts.  It makes it hard to go back and find someone’s ideas after time has passed.  In an attempt to capture some of these running discussions in a more coherent way I have set up some pages just for these topics.  If you look in the right Menu bar you will see Ongoing Discussions listed and under that: Economic Development, New Library, School Budget, and Town Budget.   These are permanent pages where anyone (e.g. a citizen, a new resident, a council member, someone running for town council or school board, a new town manager) will be able to find out what people are thinking and suggesting about these topics.

Unfortunately I can’t migrate old comments over to the pages.  If you have made comments in the past that you want to save in the new ongoing discussion, please find them (you can search for your name) and copy them into new comments on the pages.  There have been lots of great questions and ideas that should be preserved so others can find them.

I had to do some behind the scenes coding to make these comment pages so if anything wacky (a technical term)  happens let me know so I can fix.

On March 18, 2008 the Town Council had a workshop with the Solid Waste Committee. The Committee has been researching potential alternatives for the town to consider in handling solid waste and gave a very thoughtful presentation. The Town Council had specifically asked the committee to investigate the options of pay-per-throw and regionalizing solid waste collection. The committee’s research included visits and phone calls to other towns and visits from and calls to a variety of waste companies.

Sorry it took so long to write it up. Darn that day job! It seems important to get the information up now since pay-per-throw is part of the Council’s plan to deal with the budget this year. There are no minutes to the meeting posted yet on the town web site. If anyone from the Solid Waste Committee has corrections or additions to my notes, please put them in comments.

In their presentation the committee gave information on the following options:

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Reeling and healing in South Berwick
Wire
To say that the current atmosphere within South Berwick’s town government is hectic would be an understatement. As the southern-Maine community of 6670 people labors to draft a municipal budget that some people have labeled a “crisis,” …

2 brush fires scorch coast
Portsmouth Herald News
A two-alarm blaze razed some 10 acres of land in the Great Bog Thursday, and another burned up to six acres in Kittery, Maine. Firefighters said both presented significant challenges as they fought to extinguish the flames.

Thresher service on April 12 will mark 45th anniversary of sub’s loss
Portsmouth Herald
On Saturday, April 12, a memorial service will be held at R.W. Traip Academy commemorating the loss of 129 crew members, U.S. Naval submarine officer observers and civilian support personnel aboard the USS Thresher during sea trials off of the New England coast on April 10, 1963.

There are signs of spring…

and there are signs of spring.

Every year I eagerly await the opening of the Dairy Queen at the Kittery Traffic Circle as the definitive sign of spring. For some, the beginning of spring is the first crocus, or opening day at Fenway Park, or putting away the winter coat for good. For me it’s the first vanilla cone with chocolate jimmies. Spring came for me yesterday at lunchtime.

hhh 

Dairy Queen is located at 174 State Road, right on the Kittery Traffic Circle, Kittery, ME.

South Berwick council to present budget calling for 18% tax increase
Foster’s Daily Democrat
After weeks of budget sessions, the Town Council is ready to present its revised 2009 municipal budget of $5763795 to residents at a public hearing Monday at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall auditorium.

Shipyard dry dock is of utmost importance to area senators
Foster’s Daily Democrat
State legislators from both Maine and New Hampshire have come together to request funding for the construction of an additional dry dock at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.