Recently South Berwick resident Jennifer Houghton, owner of Little Hat Company and parent of three, mentioned to me how great it is to be raising children in South Berwick.  She agreed to share her thoughts here at the 236 Diner.

In a world that seems to be spinning faster, it’s a wonderful opportunity to bring up a family in a town that allows you to walk not run.   I remember coming home from a business trip to N.Y.C. and literally thanking God that we don’t have even one single stop light in our town.  I had spent two days in a cab trying to get to three scheduled appointments in an absolute scramble for time.  Traffic, crowds, impatience, and smog seemed to be the daily theme and it was hard to catch your breath walking down the streets filled with people, vendors, and construction barriers.  Don’t get me wrong.  The city can be an explosive energy and catalyst for getting major things accomplished.  When the sun goes down and the lights turn on there is something so magical that you feel like a child right before opening a present.

When I would come home to South Berwick I would always let out a sigh of relief knowing that I could just slow down and enjoy each and every moment without someone behind me needing to get somewhere.  One of the main reasons coming home would be so satisfying was knowing that I was raising my children in a small town community surrounded by endless opportunities. (more…)

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…)

Since I’ve been running this blog I’ve had the opportunity to meet and talk to many South Berwick residents I never knew before. This morning I was thinking of the span of time people have been here. I’ve talked to some who have lived here all their lives and some who just moved here in the last few months. I got to wondering about the proportion of natives, long time residents, and new comers and that sent me off to look at the Census data. Here is what I found:

Place of birth of U.S. born South Berwick residents based on 2000 U.S. Census data:
Born in Maine: 20%
Born in another state: 80%

That doesn’t get at it. 80% of us were born in another state, but that includes people who were born in Dover and Portsmouth who were brought home to South Berwick. The 20% born in Maine includes those who lived in other Maine towns and moved here. So my only conclusion: A lot of us were born out of state.

Then I looked at the data from the 2000 Census where residents were asked when they had moved into their current home. Here is what I found:

Again this doesn’t get at it either. This includes people who moved from one home in South Berwick to another. But it does show a lot of movement. In 2000 57% of South Berwick residents had moved into their home in the last ten years and only 11% had lived in their home for more than thirty years.

The Census data couldn’t answer my question about how many natives, long time residents, and new comers there are here. So that leads me to my question:

When did you come to South Berwick and what brought you here?

I’ll tell you my answer in the comments and you do the same.

I was having friends for dinner and wanted a special dessert. I went to Monkey Business Bakery and told Nicole that my friends love chocolate and birds. The result: an incredible cake that satisfied every kind of chocolate need and was beautifully decorated with a delicate tree with tiny birds perched among the branches.

Monkey Business Bakery is located at 440 Main St. in South Berwick. I suggest that you get your sweet tooth over there and check it out yourself.

There’s a new story in today’s Foster’s Daily Democrat about the ongoing issues between the South Berwick council and town manager.

Beleaguered South Berwick Town Manager alleges ‘Right-to-Know …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Embattled Town Manager Jeff Grossman believes Town Council members violated the state’s Right-to-Know law Monday during a closed-door executive session…

Foster’s Daily Democrat is reporting more information about the ongoing issues between the South Berwick town council and manager:

Letter outlines cause for South Berwick Town Manager dismissal
Foster’s Daily Democrat
There is sufficient cause to remove Town Manager Jeff Grossman from office, and he has been offered a buyout package in exchange for his resignation, according to a private letter written by the town’s attorney….

Economic panel chair will stay in South Berwick
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Dennis Fontaine, the chair of the Economic Development Committee, won’t be resigning after all….

Want to do something to help a neighbor? South Berwick Volunteer Network (SBVN) needs volunteer drivers. SBVN is a nonprofit organization that offers free transportation to local residents who need a ride to medical appointments. Usually, drivers are assigned one day per month (M-F). The average appointment requires about 2 hours of volunteer time. More residents need the service so the current volunteers are doing double duty. They could really use your help.

For more information about volunteering, or if you are a South Berwick resident needing a ride, please call (207)384-3311. The South Berwick Rotary Club and Rotary Foundation also provides financial support for wheelchair van transportation to medical appointments. Please call 384-3311 to schedule van service.

Here’s a round up of this morning’s coverage of the town meeting last night:

South Berwick Town Manager asked to leave
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Town Manager Jeff Grossman insisted he “isn’t going anywhere” after acknowledging Monday night at a Town Council meeting that a member or members of the council asked him to resign…

S. Berwick boss may lose his job
Portsmouth Herald
Town Manager Jeffrey Grossman announced publicly on Monday that the Town Council has asked him to resign his position or it will take legal steps to remove him…

the236diner recap of the meeting is in a previous post .

SAD 35 costs up $1.7 million
Portsmouth Herald News
Superintendent Jeffrey Bearden of School Administrative District 35 says that taxpayers in Eliot and South Berwick will have to pay an additional $1.7 million to fund schools in fiscal year 2009..

Land Trust looks to raise funds with Spring Auction
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Tickets are still available for the annual Great Works Regional Land Trust Spring Auction, scheduled for Sat., …

Eliot taxes may rise sharply
Portsmouth Herald News
Property taxes may increase by 11 percent for Eliot residents for fiscal year 2009 in order to make up for a $500000 budget …

For the love of music: Elysium Arts Folk Club brings live music to …
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Blink as you drive northeast out of Dover you just might miss the quaint li’l town of Rollinsford. It would be more of a shame than you might …

Eliot dispatch service to switch?
Portsmouth Herald News
After years of a handshake agreement that had Kittery dispatching for Eliot, the selectmen recently considered a proposal from South Berwick to take over …

Monkey Business Bakery, one of South Berwick’s newest businesses opened this week on lower Main Street. Dover residents Jake and Nicole Bouchard rented the space vacated by Hot Dog Heaven in October and spent months fitting up the baking kitchen and the showroom.

Jake and Nicole both grew up in central Maine. Nicole learned her craft at the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont. They knew they wanted to locate their bakery in a small town and when they found the space in South Berwick they decided to go for it. Jake explains the name, “We both have a thing for monkeys and Nicole had to do a business plan as an assignment when she was at the Culinary Institute and used the name in that. We liked it so decided to use it here.”

The bakery offers cakes, cheesecakes, breakfast pastries, tarts and cookies, all made from scratch using simple high quality ingredients. Nicole’s passion is cakes and the bakery will always have a selection on hand. Special orders are available with advanced notice. Nicole loves to make fancy sculpted art cakes and plans to offer them once the business gets more established.

I didn’t get to try a cake yet but I did get some cookies and brownies for tonight’s dessert. I couldn’t wait for dessert though and tried a double chocolate cookie this afternoon. It was perfect, tender and crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside with a beautiful balance of high quality chocolate, butter, and fresh flour with just the right touch of sweetness. If the cookie is any indication, I expect the cakes to be sublime.

Monkey Business Bakery also serves coffee and has a couple of tables for eating in. The are open Tuesday through Friday from 7 AM to 4 PM, Saturday 8 AM to 4 PM, and Sunday 9 AM until 2 PM. They are located at 440 Main St. in South Berwick, across from Fogarty’s.

The Little Hat Company is a fun place to go. It is full of colorful toys, books, fuzzy puppets, and the very sweet and unique hats that are the core of its business. But that’s only part of the story; the other part is that the Little Hat Company is a company on the move, adding daily to the economic vitality of South Berwick.

On the day I visited, Jennifer Houghton and her son were putting up new shelves to showcase the hats. A designer had just dropped off the prototype for a strawberry hat that Jen expects will be a big hit at the Strawberry Festival, and Jen shared the news that Little Hat Company will be featured in Yankee Magazine’s summer travel issue.

The growth of Little Hat Company has been an exciting journey for South Berwick resident Jen Houghton. It all started when she sewed a hat for her own child. Soon friends and then retailers were requesting hats and Jen was trying to figure out production processes and working late into the night to fulfill orders. Over the next two years the business grew quickly and reached several milestones: joining with business partner, Susan Page, incorporating as an LLC, opening the retail store in South Berwick, expanding retail sales to include toys and gifts, internet sales, the first catalog, a second location in Cape Neddick, and now the business is getting ready to launch a new website with a new more professional look.
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EDC chair walks out of South Berwick council meeting, resigns
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Dennis Fontaine, the chairman of the town’s Economic Development Committee, frustrated with recent development projects that have stalled…. (with correction added to article…)

Industrial park bill killed
Portsmouth Herald News
State lawmakers in Augusta on Tuesday killed a bill sponsored by Sen. Peter Bowman, D-Kittery, to create a new …

Senator kills York Co. industrial park bill
Mainebiz Daily
A group of officials from seven communities — Berwick, North Berwick, South Berwick, Eliot, Kittery, Wells and York — worked for more than a year to draft …

South Berwick snow removal budget $190g in the red
Foster’s Daily Democrat
A special town meeting will be held Monday, March 10 at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall regarding the transfer of $100000 …

Church donates to South Berwick recreation fund
Foster’s Daily Democrat
The First Parish Federated Church donated $1000 to the town’s recreation fund, drawing the gratitude of town councilors …

Eliot residents have their say
Portsmouth Herald News
Some 43 Eliot residents braved the elements Wednesday night to learn the results of recent resident surveys, which are a key

Digital maps for wetlands approved
Portsmouth Herald News
The Eliot Board of Selectmen has approved an expenditure of $4950 to purchase an accurate digital map that shows the location of

Kittery School Board cuts jobs to trim budget
Foster’s Daily Democrat
The School Committee will cut several jobs in an effort to trim next year’s budget. The budget, to be forwarded to the Town

Budgeting for schools a painful task in Kittery
Portsmouth Herald News
This is, by far, one of the toughest budget seasons New Hampshire and Maine Seacoast towns have faced in a while. Constantly escalating health care and

In Kittery: Is appointment process too cumbersome, too public?
Foster’s Daily Democrat
Someday soon, candidates for the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals may no longer have to be interviewed on live …

Kittery school budget slashes jobs
Portsmouth Herald News
The School Committee voted unanimously Wednesday night to cut district staffing by a librarian, two technologists, …

Snow spending buries budgets
Portsmouth Herald News
Officials in Kittery, Maine, and Seabrook expect it to be tight. Eighty-four percent through its winter maintenance budget, York, Maine, will go over, too. …

Bill would ease property tax burden for seniors
Portsmouth Herald News
Dawn Hill, D-York, the bill received the support of a number of York County legislators, including Sen. Peter Bowman. The bill is being co-sponsored by …

After five years of work and a process that included participation by over 100 citizens, South Berwick’s updated Comprehensive Plan is now before the Town Council for discussion. The comprehensive plan describes broad planning goals and strategies to guide town officials as they chart the future. South Berwick’s last comprehensive plan — still in force till the new one is adopted — dates to 1991.

On February 25 the Town Council held a hearing to receive public comment on the update to the comprehensive plan. Many of those in attendance urged the Council to adopt the plan. Others questioned whether parts of the plan should be updated to reflect a changed economic picture and changes in state funding brought about by LD1. Others spoke against the recommendation for changes in lot size to five acres in the region of town southerly and westerly of Emery’s Bridge Road.

The Town Council will discuss the Comprehensive Plan at the Council Meeting scheduled for March 11. The Town Council agreed to accept written comment until March 4, so you still have the chance to weigh in on the Comprehensive Plan by sending a letter to the Town Council.

Read the Comprehensive Plan by chapter below:
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There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration.
— Andrew Carnegie

A group of longtime library devotees gathered at the South Berwick Public Library on Thursday, Feb. 21, to honor and say goodbye to longtime Library Director, Charline Parsons. Ms. Parsons has served as the library director for 20 years.

Among the parting gifts Charline received were an overnight at the Regency Hotel in Portland with spending money and a long list of activities and restaurants where she might enjoy spending it. Many friends, both new and old, sent cards and written anecdotes of Charline’s many years at the library. These were compiled for her into an album.

The Library Advisory Board voted to name a library room in Ms. Parsons’s honor. This plaque reading, ‘The Charline Parsons Room’ will remain in the present building until a new library is ready.

Fosters’ Daily Democrat is running a story on the South Berwick Town Council’s narrow vote to approve a grant request for the Regional Efficiency Group’s continued work.

South Berwick Town Council approves grant request for regional authority

Read background on the Regional Development Authority .

Today South Berwick Town Manager Jeff Grossman gave the236diner.com an update on the progress of the St. Michael’s Parish purchase. The 90 day option to buy is due to expire on April 6, 2008. Mr. Grossman reports that the process is moving forward on time and gave a summary of the progress:

• Appraisal of the property is in process. There have been no further negotiations about price.
• Wetlands Evaluation has been done and the town is awaiting the written report

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The Portsmouth Herald reports that although there was some dissatisfaction with the progress made by the Regional Efficiency Workgroup on their first grant, Kittery Town Council voted to support an application for a second grant. Town Manager Jonathan Carter believes the proposed legislation will be postponed to be reworked into legislation that doesn’t create a regional development authority.

Read the full article: Business park plan slow to start rolling

Also, a meeting between the REG workgroup and legislators on LD2003 is scheduled for February 22 at 2pm at South Berwick Town Hall. The agenda:

• 2008 Regional Efficiency Grant Application
• Review Public Information Meetings
• Discuss additional amendments to LD 2003
• Discuss Workgroup Report to BRED Committee
• Discuss BRED Workshop scheduled for 2.26.08

Read other entries about the Regional Development Authority

Southern York County Regional Development Authority Public Information Meeting that was originally scheduled for February 13, 2008 at Noble High School Auditorium has been postponed to Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 6:30 pm at Noble High School Auditorium.

Here are some additional materials:

Frequently Asked Questions document that was handed out at the first information meeting

List of York County Town Valuations and Scenarios regarding potential membership by towns

Final Report on Regional Efficiency Workgroup Grant

Find out more about the Southern York County Regional Development Authority.

Southern York County Regional Development Authority Public Information Meeting: The meeting originally scheduled for ednesday February 13, 2008 6:30 pm at Noble High School Auditorium has been postponed to Wednesday February 20, 2008 at 6:30 pm at Noble High School Auditorium.

Find out more about the Southern York County Regional Development Authority.

• In South Berwick: Town Hall, check-in starts at 2:30, caucus begins at 3 pm.
• In Eliot: Eliot Elementary School, check-in starts at 1 pm, caucus begins at 2 pm
• Kittery: Traip Academy, check-in starts at 4:30 pm, caucus begins at 5 pm

Schedule of other towns’ caucuses

New voters and voters not registered in a political party may register as Democrats at the caucus.

Expectations are for a large turnout, so you may want to go at the start of the check-in time.

Want to know how the caucus works? The Maine Democratic Party web site has a Caucus Training Packet that describes the process completely. It is designed as a guide for the caucus conveners but provides great information about what will be happening.

Here’s the really skinny on what I heard at the public meeting this morning:

• In general citizens think the idea of working regionally to promote economic development, job creation, and planning is a good idea, although they are not sold on the idea of a development authority
• Citizens at the meeting do not support this legislation as written, particularly because of the broad powers it would give a development authority, it would add another layer of government, it does not offer voter participation at key decision points, and much of the language is vague
• Citizens strongly stated that the process has not allowed enough citizen participation. Opportunities for input were poorly publicized and what has been offered has been too little, too late
• Citizens at the meeting would like regional development efforts to address sustainable practices and to be assured that a casino would not be part of the plan and would like to see that reflected in the legislation
• Citizens who spoke would like to see this legislation killed and an opportunity to start over with more citizen input during the process.

What did you hear?

Read more about the background of LD2003

In the last few weeks I’ve tried to find out everything I can about LD 2003, the bill that would allow the creation of the Southern York County Regional Development Authority. I’ve read the legislation, heard from proponents and opponents of the bill, and read the minutes of the Regional Efficiency Grant Working Group meetings. My initial reaction to the bill was negative, mostly because it seemed to come out of nowhere and I could find little information on it. I searched the Town of South Berwick website and only found allusions to it, but no clear statement about what it is and why it would be in the interest of the town to participate.

After reading all of the minutes of the Regional Efficiency Grant Working Group meetings, I am more positively disposed to the bill, but still have many questions. The minutes provided some insight into the vision behind the bill, the potential benefits, and the process for moving ahead. The positives that I saw: (more…)

The Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission (SMRPC) has posted more information about LD 2003, Southern York County Regional Development Authority on their web site, including upcoming meeting schedules. They have also have a link to the minutes of the Regional Efficiency Grant Working Group meetings. These minutes include meetings beginning in January 2007 through January 2008 and cover the genesis of LD 2003.

Two public information meetings have been scheduled to receive public input on LD 2003 “An Act to Create Southern York County Regional Development Authority.”

South Berwick: Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 9 am at Marshwood High School

North Berwick: Wednesday, February, 13, 2008 at 6:30 pm at Noble High School

Read all posts about the Regional Development Authority with links to text of legislation.

SoBo Book & Bean is a friendly little oasis in the heart of South Berwick. The patina of the wood floors, the book lined walls, and the homey furniture create a cozy ambiance for enjoying a coffee or a meal, conversing with friends, browsing the books, watching the world go by out the window, or a little of each. Co-owners Jenna and Tim are friendly, accommodating hosts who make SoBo a comfortable place to linger. This is one of the places that makes up the soul of South Berwick, don’t miss it.

Sobo Book & Bean is located at 241 Main St. in South Berwick and opens at 7 am during the week and 8 am on Saturday.

Portsmouth Herald reports this morning that the work group of seven towns that wrote the legislation to create the Southern York County Regional Development Authority met on Friday. The meeting was attended by Senator Peter Bowman and Representative Bonnie Gould, cosponsors of the bill. The group met to prepare for the work session scheduled for February 26 in Augusta.

According to the Herald’s report, both Bowman and Gould are still in support of the bill, contrary to what was reported earlier. Both indicate that they would like to see some changes to the bill before it is passed, however.

The most encouraging news is that the work group plans to provide more information about the bill to the public prior to the work session. They will hold two public hearings, yet to be scheduled, one at Noble High School and one at Marshwood High. Also Jeff Grossman will be working on a brochure of frequently asked questions and a website so people can get more information.

Here’s a link to the full article in the Portsmouth Herald: Regional authority bill still alive

For more than a year South Berwick, Berwick, Eliot, Kittery, North Berwick, and Wells have been discussing the creation of a regional development authority. As a result, LD 2003, “An Act To Create the Southern York County Regional Development Authority” was sponsored by Senator Bowman of York and cosponsored by Representative Gould of South Berwick and Representatives Wheeler of Kittery, Chase of Wells, Weaver of York, and Hill of York.

On January 17, the legislation went before the Business Research and Economic Development Committee (BRED) in Augusta for a public hearing and a vote. At the time of the hearing, Senator Bowman, the original sponsor, had withdrawn his support because he was concerned that the legislation was too strongly worded and that local citizens were not fully informed about it. Consequently BRED tabled their decision and set a work session for Feb. 26 so they can hear more input and review possible amendments to the legislation.

Citizens of the towns involved have an opportunity to learn more about the legislation, ask questions of its proponents and opponents, and let our legislators and the members of the BRED Committee know what we think of the legislation before the February 26 work session.

Here’s more information about the bill.

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Here’s a round up of newspaper articles on the proposed Southern York County Regional Development Authority from newest to oldest. Let me know if you know of others and I will add them.

Development authority bill not killed in Augusta
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH - Jan 25, 2008
Despite Sen. Bowman’s withdrawal of support, the Development Authority bill may yet still live. Jeff Grossman optimistic that Feb. 26 work session will result in viable bill…

South Berwick panel’s vote on business development agency delayed …
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH - Jan 22, 2008
The tabling of legislation for the proposed Southern York County Regional Development Authority (SYCRDA) last week was met …

Development authority bill loses Bowman’s support
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH - Jan 17, 2008
Peter Bowman, D-York County, who originally sponsored legislation for the creation of the Southern York County Regional Development Authority, has withdrawn …
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South Berwick has been going through a comprehensive planning process for the last few years and on February 25 will hold a public hearing on the draft plan. You can find our current plan (from 1990) and the draft of the next comprehensive plan on the town website.

In preparation for the public hearing, I will be posting summaries of the draft comprehensive plan at the236diner.com over the next few weeks. However, before I can do an informed reading of the plan, I realized that I needed to learn more about what a comprehensive plan is, why towns do them, and what makes a good comprehensive plan. Fortunately the State of Maine provides many internet resources to help understand comprehensive planning so here’s my version of Comprehensive Planning 101.

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Ray Oldenburg, an urban sociologist writes about the importance of “third places” for healthy functioning of communities. He describes third places as

“informal public gathering places. The phrase “third places” derives from considering our homes to be the “first” places in our lives, and our work places the “second.”

Americans long enjoyed third places in the form of the inns and ordinaries of colonial society, then as the saloons and general stores springing up with westward expansion. Later came the candy stores, soda fountains, coffee shops, diners, etc. which, along with the local post office, were conveniently located and provided the social anchors of community life.

“Third places” also suggest the stability of the tripod in contrast to the relative instability of the bipod. Life without community has produced, for many, a life style consisting mainly of a home-to-work-and-back-again shuttle.”

 

From Our Vanishing “Third Places” by Ray Oldenburg

As South Berwick explores the feasibility of using the St. Michael’s property as a library or other use we have the opportunity to create a new kind of civic place in our downtown.
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