School Renovations, Gym Still A Ways Off

By Bonnie Marckoon, Building Cmte. Chair

(Lamoine) Lamoine's Building Committee is still active, though it seems like a lot of “hurry up and wait”. The committee is presently exploring the options for construction of a new gymnasium, spurred on by the fund-raising efforts of the Jina's Gym drive. There are a lot of hurdles to clear before any construction can start. The committee will have to:

•  Apply to the State Department of Education for renovation funds to see what will be allowed to renovate the existing building. This does not include the gym, but does include many basic needs including plumbing, electrical and structural deficiencies identified in a building study done in 2003. The application has not yet been submitted, the school department is in the process of hiring a firm to submit a finalized application. It's not clear when the application will be submitted.

•  Once the results of the renovation funds are known, planning can begin on renovations to the existing structure. A new gym plan will go hand in hand with the renovations, but the gym process will not be included with any state funding.

•  The planning process for a new gym has yet to be mapped out. At the very least the planning will include

1. Identifying the appropriate location for a gym.
2. Identifying the purposes for which the gym would be used.
3. Hiring a professional to design the gym.
4. Obtaining input from the community in regard to utilization and design.
5. Working with the Selectmen to schedule one or more town meetings to give final approval to location and funding.

If all goes well, the process will likely take a couple of years. The building committee meets next on October 19 th at 6:30 PM at the school.

Cable Company Sold, Town Awaits Meeting

(Lamoine) — As cable TV company Adelphia emerges from bankruptcy with a pending sale to Time-Warner, the town anxiously awaits a meeting with officials from the new company. At issue will be the areas of town not presently served by cable TV. Numerous residents have expressed a strong desire to have access to high speed Internet services presently offered to cable TV subscribers. That message has been conveyed to Adelphia/Time Warner officials. Things are still tied up until the sale is final, but at a meeting in Augusta, Time Warner officials said they are very interested in expansion in the communities they'll be serving. Areas of town expressing interest in CTV service include the Bar Harbor Highlands subdivision, Walker Road and Seal Point Road.

Planning Board Tackles More Subdivisions

(Lamoine) - The frantic pace of subdivision application and consideration has slowed considerably for the Lamoine Planning Board. Only one new subdivision was on the agenda through the summer months, and that was relatively minor. Steve and Patricia Leonard-Johnson have asked the board to approve splitting their one lot into four parcels, accommodating the two rental cabins they've built on Otter Lane and a home they hope to build on the same parcel. The public hearing for that proposal was scheduled for October 4th.

A previously approved subdivision off Douglas Highway in North Lamoine was sold in its entirety by developer Keven Ireland to Roger Bachelder of Ellsworth. Mr. Bachelder asked for a change in the various deed restrictions (covenants) that Mr. Ireland had originally placed on the subdivision. The Planning Board consulted with the legal department of Maine Municipal Association. After finding that none of the covenant changes were contrary to the Lamoine Building and Land Use Ordinance, the Planning Board approved the changes and signed the new form.

No Charges Yet In Ballot Case

(Ellsworth) — Hancock County Sheriff Bill Clark has turned in what he could find out in a case that involved alleged improperly photocopied ballots during a special town meeting in June. District Attorney Michael Povich said he's made further inquiries to the Secretary of State's Office regarding statute violations.

The case stemmed from copies of the official town meeting referendum ballot that was anonymously mailed to hundreds of town residents prior to a June voting date. Several ballots turned up at the town hall filled out, but could not be accepted as they were not accounted for through the absentee voting process.

Office Staff Agrees to Adopt A Board (or 2)

(Lamoine) — The numerous volunteer boards that help town government function will get better help from town office staff, as some clerical duties have been divided out. Administrative Assistant Stu Marckoon had been dealing with all 8-boards, devising agendas, filing minutes, mailing notices and keeping up the town's website. He asked the Selectmen for help as it had become too much for one person to keep straight.

Town Clerk Jennifer Kovacs and Assistant Clerk Kathy DeFusco have agreed to work some additional hours, and take on the activities for four of the boards. Jennifer will handle the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission. Kathy offered to help with the Parks Committee and the Long Range Planning Commission. Stu will continue to work with the Budget Committee, Board of Appeals, Cable TV Committee and Board of Assessors in addition to his real job as the Selectmen's Administrative Assistant.

Shoreland Zoning Under Review

(Lamoine) — It's been nearly 13-years since the Town Meeting adopted the present Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. Back in 1993 the Planning Board took a model ordinance from the State and molded it to fit the town. It has not been revised since then, though problems crop up from time to time.

The State of Maine is presently in the process of revising the model ordinance. Lamoine's Planning Board is doing the same with the local ordinance, having held several workshops on the potential changes with an eye on meeting the state minimum.

The proposed changes will likely be presented to the Town Meeting next March for consideration. The Planning Board welcomes any input for changes from townspeople. They should be submitted in writing or by e-mail to the town office.

Katies on Cable

(Lamoine) - Welcome and thank-you go to Katie Bowman and Katie Murphy who've handled the technical aspects of the Lamoine CTV Channel in September. Both young ladies are freshmen at MDI High School and are great friends. As they learn the CTV system, the quality of the broadcasts has improved markedly. Katie B's mom Patty Heath is a member of the CTV Committee.

One Big Beetle

Rose McIntire of Lamoine Beach Road called the office in August to let us know that her daughter had found a huge bug in their fountain. We're not sure of the exact name, but it was intriguing enough to travel to the scene for a picture.