Universal Waste Goes To Coastal Recycling

(Lamoine) — TV's, computer monitors, microwave ovens, fluorescent light tubes and other waste containing mercury can now be taken to Coastal Recycling on Route 182 in Hancock. The organization had been hosting a private company the first Saturday of each month, but now can accept the so called “universal waste” during business hours. There is a charge for the waste which must be paid by those taking it for disposal. A price list is posted on the town website (www.lamoine-me.gov) on the transfer station site.

Sign of the Times

Thanks to Jeremiah Graham for picking up a new sign at a recent recycling convention.

Litter Pickup Nets Lots Of Trash

(Lamoine) - The town's annual litter cleanup on May 4th drew 38-dedicated volunteers to the roadsides of Lamoine, and they picked up at least a ton of trash. Georgia Munsell once again organized this year's event, but Jeremiah Graham of Deer Run pinch hit on the morning of the actual cleanup. Wearing orange vests and carrying mechanical pickers, the volunteers hit the roads for about 3-hours on that Saturday morning.

Many thanks go out to everyone who volunteered their time, energy and vehicles to the pickup. The town certainly looked a lot cleaner afterward. The Maine Department of Transportation was very cooperative, picking up the filled bags along Routes 184 and 204. Others picked up the bags from the local roads and took them to the transfer station.

Mrs. Munsell said the turnout was good and hopes many more will volunteer next year. Kim Murphy, owner of the Lamoine General Store donated food and water (not to mention a husband and son) to the efforts.

Ready to Roll

(From Left) - Jude Lamb, Pam Priest and Carol Korty stand ready to hit the road to pick up trash on May 4th.

Hazardous Waste Collection is Sept. 30th

(Lamoine) — Lamoine residents will be able to get rid of hazardous materials on Saturday, September 30, 2006 at Mt. Desert Island High School. Permits for the annual household hazardous waste (HHW) day will be available on a first come/first serve basis at the Lamoine Town Office.

The Mt. Desert Island League of Towns is working once again with the Hancock County Planning Commission on the cleanup. Unlike previous years, state funding is not available to help defray the cost. The town has budgeted $550 for its share of the cleanup, and will have a limited number of permits based on this budgeted amount.

This is the one day of the year to properly dispose of containers of pesticides, oil based paints, and other hazardous materials. A complete list of guidelines will be posted on the town's website when the final arrangements for the program are announced. Look for permits to be available around August 1st.

Recycling Promotion To Increase

By Donna Thorburn

(Lamoine) — The Recycling Committee, a subcommittee of the Conservation Commission, has been working to make recycling more user -friendly. Committee members are Tom Spruce, Nancy Pochan, Rich Brey, Lucia Michielli, Joan Bragdon, Annie Crisafulli and Donna Thorburn

The committee is preparing a new brochure for distribution that will include what items can be recycled, information about disposing of hazardous waste, ordering compost bins, and additional recycling tips

Watch for a “Willie Wastenot” who will become the Recycling Committee logo! If you have any ideas or would like to serve on the subcommittee, contact Tom Spruce (667-7213) or Donna Thorburn (667-4425).

Road Work Started, Planned

(Lamoine) — The mild winter that turned into a very wet spring was not kind to the roadsides in Lamoine (or any other town!). Shoulders that have seen a lot of sand build up over the years washed out in many places as the water could not shed properly. Most of the local roads need the shoulders shaped and the ditches dug out to get the water off the road surface gently.

One contract that has already been completed is removal of tree debris from numerous roadsides. Harald Huebner of South Road submitted the winning bid for that contract and spent the better part of two weeks chipping the brush that had come down in the past few years. In addition, Huebner and his crew removed a large, dead spruce tree from Marlboro Beach Road.

The major focus of work this summer will be Seal Point Road. In addition to paving the majority of the road, several culverts will be replaced, using a method suggested by a consultant from the Maine Department of Transportation. The road will be excavated two feet either side of the culvert center for each foot in depth the culvert is set. The fill will be mixed so it drains uniformly, eliminating the “speed bump” heaves that are prevalent. Additionally a section of road will be excavated, refilled, and a proper ditch and shoulder established so the new pavement won't break up as quickly. Jay Fowler submitted the bid selected for that work, which will be done by the end of July. The road will be paved sometime in August by Lane Construction.

Steady Rains in the spring caused a great deal of roadside erosion like this on Asa's Lane

Trash Contract Signed

(Lamoine) — Selectmen and Pine Tree Waste reached agreement on a new contract that will transport both normal household waste and recyclable materials to the proper destination for the next five years. Users of the Lamoine Transfer Station should not notice any change in operations when the new contract takes effect on July 1st. The contract contains much more specific language, but keeps in place the same system that has existed for the past several years.

Committee Sought For Vets Memorial

(Lamoine) - The question was: ”Why haven't we done this before?” It was in relation to establishing a Veterans Memorial in town. There was no definitive answer at a Selectmen's meeting in mid-June.

Reggie McDevitt is spearheading an effort to build a memorial somewhere in town. He's done plenty of scouting around for a location, and suggested to the Selectmen that the north side of the Town Hall building would make a good spot.

Selectman chair Jo Cooper said she'd be willing to serve on a committee with McDevitt and anyone else interested in getting the project off the ground. Those interested in helping are asked to call the town office by August 1st.

Selectman Cooper Is Citizen Of The Year

(Ellsworth) - The Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce voted Jo Cooper, the chairman of the Lamoine Board of Selectman, as their citizen of the year. Cooper was honored at the Chamber's annual meeting in May.