Rain! Just a little but now I hear thunder. It is so dry, we need this. My lawn is like a dust bowl and I am having to spot water seedlings in my garden. Fire danger is very high.

Rock My Soul Choir in concert
Saturday, May 31, 2008, 7 pm

First Parish Federated Church, 150 Main Street, South Berwick

Root-based, raise-the-rafters gospel music for everyone! This concert will be recorded live for a new CD, so come and help fill the house.

Visit www.gospelmusicproject.org for more information.

Read about the Rock My Soul Choir in theWire

The strawberries will still be red but the Strawberry Festival is going GREEN!

The Strawberry Festival Committee has announced that they will serve Strawberry Shortcake and Cheesecake on biodegradable bowls, plates and spoons. They have collaborated with BIOSMART- a company that sells “Bagasse” tableware derived from the by-product of sugar cane. In order to promote these biodegradable products, BIOSMART is offering Strawberry Festival visitors a promotional deal to introduce their products to Maine.
For more information, visit
www.southberwickstrawberryfestival.com .

South Berwick Strawberry Festival
June 28, 2008 -9:00-4:00

You can be a part of this great community event:

To help serve strawberries in the tent on Saturday call 384-5848 or
tent@southberwickstrawberryfestival.com.

To help hull strawberries on Friday, call 207-752-6396 or
volunteer@southberwickstrawberryfestival.com.

The Strawberry Festival Committee is a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers. All proceeds from the Strawberry Festival are given back to the Community in the form of grants. Over the past 32 years, the Festival Committee has provided over $150,000 in grants and scholarships to the local community and MHS students. The Festival also supports South Berwick non-profit organizations giving them a venue to earn money for their respective groups.

The Strawberry Festival Committee thanks the hundreds of community volunteers and non-profit organizations for all their hard work. Their volunteer hours have been crucial in making the Festival such a success.

For more information and for a schedule of events, visit www.southberwickstrawberryfestival.com.

I was curious about what the facts really are relative to how the Town of South Berwick has received and spent money over the last 10 years, and how this compares to the budget to be voted on at Town Meeting on June 2. People are saying a lot of things in this budget debate, and I wanted to see what the facts showed.

My questions included:
- What are the trends in the Town’s total spending?
- How does this compare to our non-property tax revenues? And importantly:
- What are the trends in our general fund balance (analogous in many ways to the Town’s “savings account”). (more…)

I’m reading We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. Kim Myers at South Berwick Library recommended it to me when I was making the tough decision about which books to borrow from the library. It is not an easy book. It’s the story of a boy who commits a school massacre as told by his mother in letters. Shriver’s writing moves this beyond what I expected into a sensitive thought provoking exploration of maternal love, marriage, anger, blame, guilt, grief, and acceptance.

What are you reading?

New trash fees could be disputed by voters at South Berwick Town …
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH
Preliminary figures for the proposed pay-as-you-throw program at the transfer station include $1.50 for a 30-gallon …

No smoking, but no arrests or fines either
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH - 15 hours ago
Excluding Counting House Park, smoking and the use of tobacco products is now technically banned at some recreation …

NHDOT seeks public input on Memorial Bridge closure
Portsmouth Herald News
Both plans were endorsed by the city and the town of Kittery, Maine. Traffic will be detoured to the high level bridge, as it was when the bridge closed for five days in mid-April to replace cables.

Here’s a really quick rundown on the May 27 Town Council meeting:

Tuesday, May 27 -Town Council Meeting
Councilor Gagne was not present
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Take action on Tobacco Free Community Recreation Resolution.
A nonenforceable resolution that will allow “tobacco-free zone” signs to be posted at Town parks “where children congregate” passed on a three to one vote with Councilors Kareckas, Burke, Demetracopoulos voting for and Councilor Roberge dissenting. The resolution includes Agamenticus ball fields, the Teen Center, Powderhouse Hill and the Shoe Town Playground. The Counting House Park and Bray Park are not included.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Take action on 2008 Speed Enforcement Grant. Passed unanimously
2. Take action on CMP pole permit applications for Oldfields Rd & Willow Drive. Passed unanimously
3. Recommitment of taxes to Roberta Orsini. A procedural vote to remove responsibility for collecting taxes from former Manager Grossman to Interim Manager Orsini. Passed unanimously 4. Sign warrant calling for special town meeting on June 23rd. Passed unanimously
5. Discuss/take action on HDC by-law amendments. Discussion took place but because there were problems and some conflicts between the by-laws and ordinances a motion to adopt the by-laws was voted down unanimously and a motion to send them back to HDC and reconsider in the future passed unanimously.

Tuesday, May 27
Budget Review Workshop
5:00 PM - Council Chambers
Workshop Agenda
1. Discuss F/Y 08 Departmental Budgets
2. Review Council Transfers Vs. Special Town Meeting
3. Review F/Y 09 Budget
4. Discuss Assignment Of Warrant Articles For Town Meeting
5. Adjourn

Tuesday, May 27
Vaughan Fund Trustees
6:00 PM - Council Chambers

Tuesday, May 27
Town Council Meeting
6:30 PM - Council Chambers

6:30pm Public Hearing – establish Assistant Manager Position
TOWN COUNCIL to follow hearing
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Take action on Tobacco Free Community Recreation Resolution.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Take action on 2008 Speed Enforcement Grant.
2. Take action on CMP pole permit applications for Oldfields Rd & Willow Drive.
3. Recommitment of taxes to Roberta Orsini.
4. Sign warrant calling for special town meeting on June 23rd.
5. Discuss/take action on HDC by-law amendments.

The following is a statement that South Berwick citizen Scott Landis recently made at an information meeting concerning the proposed recall amendment coming before voters on June 10.

I have stood up on various occasions in this room to express my misgivings about the political process here in town. In the past, I voiced my concern that our town council or the administration had failed to adequately invite or consider public opinion.

Tonight I’m raising my voice again about process, but my concern is not about the undemocratic tendencies of our government. It’s about the attempt by fellow citizens to undermine the most fundamental democratic process of that government: the right to vote. Here in South Berwick, we operate under a blended “Council—Town Meeting—Manager” form of government, in which “the town meeting [or citizens] vote on the budget and our [elected] council tends to all other legislative functions.” This is a close approximation of the republican form of government that applies at the national level, as well. (more…)

South Berwick Rotary Club disbanding
Foster’s Daily Democrat
After five “turmoil-filled years of internal conflicts, the loss of over 30 members … and failed attempts to find compromise and resolution,” the South Berwick Rotary Club is in the process of disbanding…

Smoking law up for debate tonight in South Berwick
Foster’s Daily Democrat
A non-smoking resolution that would apply to the town’s recreation areas and the creation of an assistant town manager position highlight the items on the Town Council’s agenda for tonight’s meeting at 6:30 pm at …

Area schools’ student-athlete academic policies
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Student-athletes must pass four full-time courses, which is in line with the present MPA policy.

New South Berwick library a ‘real possibility’ but process will be …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
One way or another, a new library will be built on the site of St. Michael’s Church. How and when that happens have …

South Berwick task force wants to make public areas smoke-free
Foster’s Daily Democrat
For the second time in as many years, the Town Council will take up one of the third rails of public policy: smoking in public places.

Schools may save money by using Web-based bidding ’service centers’
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Faced with an inflated budget due to decreased state funding and increased service costs, School Administrative …

This is for Pat R. who saw the first Lady Slipper in Vaughn Woods today. These are growing in an area of my yard that I used to struggle to make lawn-like. About ten years ago I noticed the leaves of a Lady Slipper while I was mowing. I decided to stop fighting against nature and let that area revert to woods. Now I only cut back the trees to keep the area in dappled sunlight. This year I was rewarded with fourteen Lady Slippers in a lovely natural garden with low bush blueberries, partridge berries, and a variety of ferns.

I’m back. Last week I went to Appledore Island with a group of artists for a painting retreat. I intended to blog while out there, but forgot an essential cable for my laptop so ended up with some file uploading issues. It was a great trip and I had the opportunity to stay a few extra days and then had to catch up with my life when I got home. Now I’m back though and have a whole bunch of posts stacked up and ready to go this week. I’m going through the 511 emails in my in box so if you sent me something last week I will get to it soon.

Monday, May 19

Town Council Workshop: Library
6:00 PM - St. Michael’s Parish Hall

Tuesday, May 20

Town Council & Solid Waste Committee Workshop
6:00 PM - Auditorium Hall

Planning Board Meeting
7:00 PM - Council Chambers

Friends of the South Berwick Library Annual Meeting
Wednesday, May 21, 7 PM in the Town Hall auditorium
Speaker: William Bushnell, book critic
friendsofsouthberwicklibrary.org/

Speaker, William Bushnell of Harpswell, Maine. Mr. Bushnell has been a professional book reviewer and freelance writer for thirteen years. He is professionally affiliated with the National Book Critics Circle and the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, and teaches a class on book reviewing at the University of Southern Maine.

The Annual Meeting of the Friends will begin at 7 pm with a brief business meeting and a report about the May 19th workshop with the Town Council regarding the St. Michael’s church property. At 7:30 pm, Mr. Bushnell will give us his insights on the art of book reviewing, followed by a question and answer session.

Refreshments will be served.

“A Sailor’s Life for Me!” takes place on May 17 (rain date of May 18), 11am to 3 pm. Admission is free for Historic New England members. Non-member admission for adults is $6 and children is $4. In recognition of Armed Forces Day, kids get in free when mom or dad shows their military identification card.

A day of fun for all ages will take place at the Hamilton House in South Berwick when Historic New England presents “A Sailor’s Life for Me!” children’s festival. Hamilton House, once the location of the town’s landing, has a rich history in maritime activity including shipbuilding and involvement in the East Indies trade. Families are invited to learn about maritime history by exploring the site in search of remains of the old wharf and seeing the house Jonathan Hamilton was able to build through the wealth he accumulated as a privateer and merchant in the late 1800s. Children will enjoy craft activities including scrimshaw carving using soap, making sailor’s valentines, and knot tying. Musician and maritime interpreter Dave Peloquin will entertain with sea chanteys and cooper Ron Raiselis will demonstrate barrel making. Food will be sold on site by The Catered Event.

Hamilton House is located on Vaughan’s Lane, adjacent to Vaughn Woods, a mile off Route 236 in South Berwick. For more information contact the South Berwick Office of Historic New England at (207) 384-2454 or visit www.historicnewengland.org.

South Berwick residents reject funds for extra snow removal costs …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
It could’ve been quick and easy - a short period of public comment, three questions determined by a yea or nay voice vote, and a hand count if the vote was too close to determine by ear.

South Berwick police: Pair was stealing items to sell as scrap metal
Foster’s Daily Democrat
After stealing four bicycles, a freezer, and a lawn mower from a home on Brattle Street in the hopes of selling off the scrap metal for cash, a South Berwick man and a juvenile accomplice were arrested Thursday …

South Berwick students hike through their town’s history
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Cars and trucks rumble past the houses on Main Street, and the wastewater treatment plant is entrenched in the background on Liberty Street.

Police say juvenile was in possession of stolen property from …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Police have arrested a girl and are searching for accomplices in connection with thefts from two downtown churches.

Berwick fire chief says more crew needed for frequency of calls
Foster’s Daily Democrat
But some town residents have questioned the validity of Plante’s numbers, saying the Berwick Fire Department is dispatched by South Berwick and therefore more accurate numbers could be provided by the South Berwick Police Chief Dana Lajoie.

Here are the highlights (or lowlights, depending on where you stand) of tonight’s Council Meeting

Special Town Meeting
Paper ballot votes were held on three warrant articles:
Article 2. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate and expend from the Undesignated General Fund Balance to cover the unexpected orverdraft in the Highway budget for 2007/08 Winter Maintenance.–Town Council Recommends: $150,000 from Undesignated General Fund-article failed 32 yes to 38 no

Article 3. To see what sum the Town will vote to appropriate and expend from the Undesignated General Fund Balance to cover the unexpected orverdraft in the 2007/08 Town Manager budget.–Town Council Recommends: $100,000 from Undesignated General Fund-article failed 21 yes to 50 no (more…)

Monday, May 12
Vaughan Fund Trustees Meeting Postponed to May 27

Board of Assessors
6:00 PM - Council Chambers

Town Council - Council Chambers
Here’s a quick run down on the agenda:
6:00pm Board Of Assessors Vaughan Fund rescheduled for next meeting
6:05pm Town Council
1. Executive Session – 1MRSA §405.6A – Discuss Interim Manager position.
6:30pm Special Town Meeting
Town Council to reconvene after town meeting
Reports & Correspondence
1. Healthy Maine Partnership presentation.
Unfinished Business
1. Take action on Comprehensive Plan Update.
New Business
1. Discuss/take action on Safety Belt Enforcement Grant.
2. Motion to approve Policy on Treasurer’s disbursement warrant for payroll.
3. Sign warrant calling for Municipal Referendum on June 10th.
4. Appoint warden and election clerks for June 10th election.
5. Sign warrant calling for SAD #25 Referendum on June 10th.
6. Discuss/take action on June 9th meeting date.
7. Discuss/take action on EDC request for support.
8. Discuss ordinance to create the position of Assistant Town Manager.
9. Discuss/take action on Interim Town Manager position.*
10. Executive Session – 1MRSA §405.6D – Police Union negotiation.*

Tuesday, May 13

Town Council and EDC Workshop
5:00 PM - Town Hall

Public Information Meeting on The Charter Amendment
6:30 PM - Auditorium Hall
The Town Council will hold an informational meeting on the Charter Amendment to provide for the recall of elected officials. A copy of the specimen ballot can be found on the town web site.

South Berwick residents act Monday on $265g to pay for snow cost …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
The town’s undesignated fund could take a major hit Monday night during a special town meeting when residents will decide whether to take out $265000 to cover overruns in the snow removal budget, the buyout of …

South Berwick could add recall regulations
Portsmouth Herald News
The town is taking steps toward allowing the recall of elected officials. A public informational hearing will be held Tuesday to discuss a referendum vote.

South Berwick neighbors concerned about backyard hive
Portsmouth Herald News
Neighborhood residents are buzzing about the actions of a Portland Road man who …

Teens vandals turn to buglary, Eliot police say
Portsmouth Herald News
Numerous teenagers will be facing misdemeanor and felony charges after residents aided a police investigation into multiple house and car burglaries.

Route 236 fire is extinguished
Portsmouth Herald News
Eliot firefighters clean up after dousing a fire at Lin-Cor Environmental, LLC in Eliot, Maine, on Route 236 Thursday.

EDC Celebrates Opening of Monkey Business Bakery

The Economic Development Committee held a Ribbon Cutting at Monkey Business Bakery at 440 Main Street South Berwick on Thursday, May 7. Pictured from left to right is Mike Lassel, Economic Development Committee Vice Chairman, Roberta Orsini, Acting Interim Town Manager, Business Owners Nicole Bouchard and Jacob Bouchard, Andrea Young, and Jean Demetracopoulos, Town Council Chairman. An Open House is scheduled for Saturday May 17. They are open for business between Tuesday through Friday 7 AM to 4 PM, Saturday 8 AM to 4 PM and Sunday 8 AM to 1 PM. Web site.

Curves changes owners in South Berwick
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Members of the South Berwick Town Council and Economic Development Committee held a ribbon cutting for the Curves health club May 1 to signify a change in ownership.

South Berwick police to increase vigilance on underage drinking
Foster’s Daily Democrat
With high school graduation and prom season around the corner, South Berwick Police Chief Dana Lajoie is hoping to curb underage drinking through a series of awareness and enforcement programs funded by a grant …

Eliot to vote on $4M budget
Portsmouth Herald News
With the final changes made in the fiscal year 2009 town budget, voters will be asked to approve a bottom line of $4.2 million at Town Meeting on June 14.

Kittery baker is fighting the feds over food policy
Foster’s Daily Democrat
With the rising cost of food and fuel creating a quagmire for Americans nationwide, local bakery owner Andrew Siegel and US Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, gathered Monday afternoon to announce their plans to combat …

Scholarships available for York County residents
Portsmouth Herald News
If you are a Maine resident and plan to further your education in 2008-2009, the following scholarship funds are open to York County residents. For information on scholarships available to Maine students on a statewide basis, …

Scouting’s highest rank for South Berwick’s Kareckas
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH
Kevin Kareckas received his Eagle badge and official recognition recently as he accepted the Eagle Challenge at the …

Artists open studios this Saturday
Portsmouth Herald News, NH
… their studios from 11 am to 5 pm Just in time for Mother’s Day, this annual spring event draws guests from all over New England to the rejuvenated …

South Berwick GOP meeting May 28, 7:00pm at the Town Hall Council Chambers. All are welcome.

GOP Candidates’ Day
June 7, 9;00am at the Community Center
Come meet the GOP candidates for state government, including Representatives Bonnie Gould and Sally Lewin, State Senate candidate Mary Andrews, Congressional candidates Dean Scontras and Charlie Summers. All are welcome and questions to the candidates are encouraged.

For more information: SB GOP web site

South Berwick Democrats Candidates’ Night
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. Great Works School, 49 Academy Street, South Berwick, Maine
Five of the six Maine’s First Congressional District Candidates will be visiting South Berwick on Wednesday May 28, 2008. Less than two weeks before the primary, Mike Brennan, Adam Cote, Mark Lawrence, Chellie Pingree, and Ethan Strimling, will be on hand to meet local Democrats and to answer questions one-on-one. State Senator Peter Bowman (District 1) and democratic candidates Bobbi Beavers and Mark Eves, running in House Districts 146 and 148 respectively, will also be present to answer questions.

For more information: SB Dems web site

The Great Works River Watershed Coalition (GWRWC) is a volunteer group that monitors the water quality of the Great Works River and its tributaries at sites in Sanford, North Berwick, and South Berwick. The group seeks volunteers and members to assist in the biweekly monitoring program that begins on Saturday, May 31. Coalition members and volunteers also participate in several other events including watershed surveys, stream habitat surveys, and canoe trips.

On Saturday, May 10, a water quality training session will be held in South Berwick at Leigh’s Mill Pond on Vine Street, between 9AM and 10:30AM. The purpose of the training is to ensure that all monitors make the same measurements and record their data in the same way. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer monitor should attend this training program.

On Saturday, May 24, the group will guide a canoe/kayak trip and river clean-up on the Great Works River starting at the Emery’s Bridge Road in South Berwick, and ending at Brattle Street, also in South Berwick; this trip starts at 12:30 PM and takes about 2 hours to complete. This is a very easy section of the river to paddle, with no white water or portages. The purpose of the river trip is to identify any pollution sources, to clean up litter along the shoreline, and to enjoy our river resource. Don’t forget to bring a PFD, lunch, water, and a bag to store litter!

Water quality monitoring begins on May 31 and continues biweekly until September 6. On the final day of sampling the coalition will gather for a volunteer recognition party! Anyone interested in joining the coalition and assisting in their endeavors should contact GWRWC President Mike Cannon at 207-384-5881. More information is also available on the GWRWC web site, www.gwrwc.org.

Experience a rare opportunity to interact with dozens of artisans in studios as varied as the artists themselves. On exhibit and for sale will be paintings, photography, fiber arts, paper & book arts, jewelry, glass works, mixed-media, collage and assemblage, clocks, children’s books, journals and apparel. Throw in an exotic wandering dance troupe (performances at 12pm and 2 pm), guest musicians such as Seacoast violinist Sam Goodall and flutist Cynthia Chatis (11am), and art stations for children to create their own Mother’s Day cards, and you have a perfect day out for Mom and/or the whole family…

Be sure to check out South Berwick artists’ studios, including Mary Lou Bagley, James Vaughn, Tim Tiebout, and others. (Stop in at my studio and say hi –Molly #452)

For more information: www.millartists.com

Here are the first tadpoles I’ve seen this year, hanging out on a submerged oak leaf. I noticed the eggs during that warm spell we had two weeks ago and have been watching them change from dots to commas and today I saw these guys. We have a small human-made pond by our house that is a frog paradise. We put it in about fifteen years ago and on the very first day we filled it with water, a frog came and took up residence. Now it is full of frogs. Sometimes in the summer we have to close our windows to watch television because the frogs are so loud.

What did you see today?

The next school board meeting includes time for public input on the school budget.

Maine School Administrative District No. 35
Board of Directors - Regular Meeting - Marshwood High School
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - 7:00 p.m.

Public Input - Budget

New Business:
1. Consideration and action to approve the NOP - Karen Wright at MHS.
2. Consideration and action to approve the Ratification of Contract with QEA.
3. Consideration and action to approve the recommendation of the Athletic Stipend Committee.
4. Consideration and action to approve the MHS Mission Statement.
5. Consideration and action to approve the Nomination of First Year and Second Year Probationary Teachers.
6. Consideration and action to approve policy EBCF, Environmentally Sound Schools, second reading.
7. Consideration and action to approve a student attending out of zone.
8. Consideration and action to adopt the FY’09 Budget.
9-11. Votes on the actions necessary for final approval of the budget and for setting the District Budget Meeting for June 5, 2008 and for setting the District Budget Validation Referendum for June 10, 2008.

See the entire agenda.

Monday, May 5

Solid Waste Committee
6:30 PM - Meeting Room 1
The Solid Waste Committee would like to welcome anyone who is interested in assisting with the pay as you throw (Pay Per Bag) education process to join them at their regularly scheduled meeting this coming Monday, May 5th at 6:30 pm in Meeting Room 1 on the third floor of Town Hall.

Tuesday, May 6

Town Council & Planning Board Workshop
6:00 PM - Council Chambers

Planning Board
7:00 PM - Council Chambers

Town Council Workshop w/ Powderhouse Ski Club
7:00 PM - Town Manager’s Office

Wednesday, May 7

EDC Meeting
1:00 PM - Council Chambers

Budget Update:

The Town Council’s latest town budget overviews are now posted on the Town’s budget web site page.

It must really be spring now. I found the first dandelion of the season in my yard this morning. For most people these are big pests, but I am happy with anything that comes up green on my lawn. I long ago gave up the illusion that I would ever have more than 10% grass amongst 90% weeds and moss. In the New York Times last week there was an article about planting a low maintenance environmentally friendly moss lawn that only requires a little bit of watering. I can finally be proud of my moss, apparently it’s the in thing now.

I’ve been slow on posting lately as I’ve had to attend to some consulting projects (income is necessary), but I’ve got some great posts coming up. I’m working on a series about the transfer station. Gary Boucher gave me a great tour and helped me understand where all our trash goes and some of the economics of our waste stream. I’m also working on some stories where you will get to meet some of your neighbors, including some name sharers and the head of one of South Berwick’s oldest businesses.

Book Sale to benefit Friends of South Berwick Library is ON!
Annual Book Sale, Saturday May 3, 9-1
There is a great selection of books on the porch and under the tent. All the proceeds go to help make the library better for you, your children, and the town. Go today so you can spend tomorrow curled up with a good book.

Orris Falls Hike with Great Works Regional Land Trust is OFF!
Hike scheduled for tomorrow Sunday, May 4, 9:00 am - 11:30 am now scheduled for Sunday, May 11. For more info: http://www.gwrlt.org