The past year in Lamoine was a second straight year of incredible growth, and in the coming year we plan to take a long, hard look at where our town ought to be headed, and what we need to have in place to get there. As 2004 begins, we reflect back on the highlights of 2003. As the cover of our town report indicates, this was a year for our infrastructure – the roads and utility lines, to catch up a little bit to the growth. The Maine Department of Transportation rebuilt portions of Routes 184 and 204. Adelphia rebuilt the town’s cable system, now offering job opportunities through high-speed Internet service. This board authorized the rebuild on the end of Seal Point Road, re-siding of the town office, and re-paving of the middle section of Buttermilk Road.

The Town Office saw some new faces. We’ve hired two office workers, Kathy DeFusco and Jennifer Kovacs to perform the clerk and tax collection duties. Jennifer replaces Hubene Brodie who retired in September. Dennis Ford was appointed as the backup to Code Enforcement Officer John Holdsworth, and is well on his way to certification. Our Planning Board has new members Stuart Branch, Linda Haft, Cece Ohmart and Brett Jones.

Our board had to deal with important matters in 2003. A citizen requested a list of personal e-mail addresses on file at the town office. The board successfully resisted releasing what we consider personal information. A former deputy code-enforcement officer was cited for violating the town’s Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. He resigned, and after a lengthy process, the violation was removed. The town’s web-site (www.lamoine-me.gov) has been greatly enhanced, and the town office has taken advantage of the new high-speed Internet access. We authorized issuance of new permits for transfer station use. The town assisted with installation of two septic systems for homes, and cleaned up contaminated dirt around the former metal pile at the transfer station. We also lowered banking costs by bidding out banking services this year.

Looking toward the future, the Selectmen will address a number of growing concerns in 2004. Voters at town meeting will decide whether you want this board to further explore a volunteer security patrol. We thank our Public Safety Study Committee for laying the groundwork on that. Our Public Works Study Committee is still looking for the right piece of land to obtain for future municipal needs. The School Committee is dealing with an aging building, and space issues. The Fire Department is asking for a new pumper/rescue truck. Our snowplowing contract expires after this winter, and we’re looking at a new way of more effectively removing snow from town roads. The town’s parks have experienced some undesirable uses, and the Conservation Commission has proposed an ordinance to address that. The Board of Assessors will assign updated values to town properties in the coming year to assure that the property tax burden is spread properly. To help keep and attract personnel, we’ve proposed and the budget committee endorsed a benefits package for full time workers. Finally, we look forward to further information enhancements through the town’s cable TV channel which should start operation in 2004.