2008 News in review — June

JUNE
The part-time veterans’ clinic opened in Houlton at Houlton Regional Hospital one day a week, on Wednesdays, staffed by Dr. Ron Welch.
    Katahdin High School announced Brittany Landry as valedictorian of the class of 2008. Landry is the daughter of Richard and Sarah Landry of Patten. Alexandria Olsson is salutatorian. She is the daughter of Martin and Jennifer Olsson of Patten.
In SAD 70, voters were asked to OK a roughly $6 million budget, up just under 3.5 percent from last year. Although the district avoided some staff cuts that were originally discussed, other reductions were made to cope with overall increases. Changes included the elimination of split harvest break, administrative pay raises and a bus run and a decrease in sports travel — to name a few.
At SAD 14 in Danforth, Superintendent Bill Dobbins said voters would consider an overall budget total of $1.7 million. This total was down $85,000 from last year, he said. In addition to coping with added costs of heat and utilities, Dobbins said the district was also forced to deal with $120,000 in lost revenue from the state. This has meant a reduction in two teaching positions, an ed tech position and reductions in athletic travel, supplies and other items.
The Houlton Council of Catholic Women completed 70 years of service. “It’s all about women working together to make a difference,” explained Betty Childers, who currently serves as president of the local group.
Monument Lodge 96 of Houlton was awarded the Masonic Information Center’s coveted Mark Twain Masonic Awareness Award in recognition of its exemplary work in constructing a positive Masonic identity within the lodge and throughout the local community.
Friends and family packed into the Houlton Wesleyan Church May 29 for Greater Houlton Christian Academy’s commencement exercises. More than $12,000 was awarded in scholarships. Jordan McGuire, valedictorian of the Class of 2008, received the Academic Excellence and Christian Character awards; Jennifer Holcombe received the Christian Service Award.
The Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum gained a new attraction Friday when the dwarf planet Pluto was added to the Maine Solar System Model and positioned adjacent to the sign in front of the museum. Pluto joins Eris and Ceres as the third dwarf planet to be added to the Solar System Model, which currently stretches 80-miles from Presque Isle to Topsfield.
A management plan for Bird Farm property gained unanimous approval from SAD 29’s Board of Directors Monday night. Dan Jacobs, speaking on behalf of the Bird Farm Committee, addressed the board and offered a summary of the “Bird Farm Multiple-Use Forestry Plan.” The plan, between nine and 10 months in the works, was previously approved by the Bird Farm committee; it was drafted by consultant Dale Covey and funded through a Project Canopy grant. Goals for the Bird Farm, as presented, include improving and maintaining the health of the land for potential forest and agricultural uses and maintaining the property as an educational resource.
McGill’s Community Band began its 23rd season with a special June 12 concert featuring members of the Houlton High School and Junior High School bands, along with the regular McGill’s Band. The combined concert was also a public awareness event for the Houlton Community Arts Center fundraising committee.
A full audience gathered in the Millar Civic Center June 5 for Houlton High School’s commencement exercises. Members of the Senior Chorus sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Salutatorian Casey Faulkingham addressed the audience expressing appreciation to all those who helped the Class of 2008 reach that point and encouraging her classmates to reach their full potential.
The Riverfront Committee geared up for another season of development at Riverfront Park. The year’s plans included tree plantings, the placement of trash receptacles and, according to Riverfront Committee Chairperson Bob Anderson, much more with the main focus is on construction of a stairway which will run from the walking trail to Highland Avenue. Anderson stated that materials and landscaping for the stairway project is estimated to cost about $20,000.
A $4.8 million budget proposal drafted in CSD 9 was sent back to the drawing board after voters rejected the funding request in their June 10 referendum. Collectively, more than half of the voters in member towns turned down the 2009 budget proposal, voting 161 for and 244 against it. The $4.8 million total, which gained majority approval in a June 2 budget hearing, represents a $265,829 increase over last year’s budget. New state rules this year require school budgets to pass two sets of votes, one at a public hearing and a second, town-by-town referendum. Of CSD 9’s six member towns, majorities in four — Crystal, Island Falls, Merrill and Smyrna — voted against the budget.
Wade Hanson, Houlton’s community development director,     grant writer and planner, said he was looking to expand the town’s diversity in the manufacturing field and looking for individuals interested in coming to a small area.
Louisiana-Pacific celebrated its newly-expanded New Limerick mill and its new product line, Solid Start Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL).
Houlton’s International Airport got ready for some major upgrades thanks to a grant agreement between the town and the Federal Aviation Administration. Houlton town councilors approved the agreement to allow funding for the final rehabilitation of runway 5-23 during Monday night’s council meeting. Approximately $223,000 is going toward the project, along with an estimated $5,600 match from the airport improvement account. Both the state and the town had to make a 2.5 percent match.
Aroostook County voters chose to give Democratic candidate Thomas Allen of Portland the chance to run against incumbent United States Sen. Susan Collins. Another key item was the Question One bond issue for natural resource, agricultural and transportation infrastructure that will leverage $29,780,000 in other funds. Aroostook County voters were split in their decision of the bond with 4,219 in favor and 2,813 against. Statewide, 99,465 votes agreed to the bond with 70,931 against.
Houlton town councilors considered extending the town’s sewer services farther down Bangor Street. Town Manager Doug Hazlett explained that although the project may be costly at first, the cost of not doing it while the Department of Transportation completes work on Bangor Street this summer would be high.
Fifty-one students wrapped up their high school career with a commencement exercises at Hodgdon High School. Principal Clark Rafford awarded honors to Hodgdon’s All-Around Boy and Girl — Alex Harris and Camille Hutchinson.
Seventeen seniors graduated June 5 from East Grand High School as a crowd of nearly 400 packed the Wyman Gymnasium. Fourteen members of the Class of 2008 plan to continue their education beyond high school and three are undecided, according to class adviser April Doane. In her valedictory speech, Judith Armstrong suggested her classmates were well prepared for adulthood. Salutatorian Tyler Langill said much of the success enjoyed by his class was due to unconditional support from the community.
“Unique” is how Brittany Landry, Katahdin High School valedictorian, described the Class of  2008, during her commencement address. It was the smallest class ever to graduate from KHS, and 11 of the 21 students graduated with honors. Class Salutatorian Alexandria Olsson also encouraged the senior class that “no matter what your dream is, go for it.”
The Houlton 2007 town budget received rave reviews from the town’s auditor, coming in just $41,000 below spending projections. RHR Smith and Company representative Ron Smith made the presentation to town councilors saying the town of Houlton is in great financial shape.
Houlton town councilors were faced with the approval of one bid to provide 1,150 tons of hot top asphalt mix at $89.85 per ton. Councilors were voting to allow the town manager to waive the bid process and go with Steelstone Industries. The bid price from Steelstone would be good for three weeks. Councilors had discussed possibly tabling the bid to see if the price of hot top would decrease. Town Manager Doug Hazlett said it’s a strange market for hot top and the cost continues to change each day. “There is an advantage with going with Steelstone because the hot top is produced locally,” said Hazlett. “It might not be the lowest price right now, but it might be in two weeks.”
A committee was formed to discuss and possibly choose a slogan for Houlton.
Voters within SAD 25 voted to pass the $4.5 million budget for the upcoming school year. The district, which includes Stacyville, Sherman, Mount Chase and Patten, held off on voting during the June 10 primaries, which is when most other schools around the area held their voting. The vote was held later because a public hearing was planned for June 19 to discuss the proposed budget.
The Roads 2000 committee updated its list of priority roads recently with Military Street and McIntyre Road being first in line for hot–topping. Those repairs would cost approximately $115,000 and after that, the road fund would be dried up. The town’s list of roads varied in condition from poor, fair to good. There were 12 town streets listed as in poor condition, which will not see any repairs in the year due to the cost of hot top.
Kathleen Gooding was surprised with a special presentation on June 21 at the Cary Library in Houlton.
Gooding was presented with the Honorary Lifetime Membership in the Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL) for her years of service, dedication and historic contributions to the library. “I don’t’ know what to say,” said Gooding. “I’m highly honored.”