Washburn’s Town Council met on Monday, July 13, at the Civic Center, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance. The Council approved the minutes from the June 8 Council meeting and reviewed the financial figures through June 30, 2009.
The Council reviewed information provided by the Department of Education and from SAD 45 regarding the consolidation fine. They were also given information from the Maine Municipal Association regarding a loss control visit and reviewed deeds and bill of sale from the town of Washburn to the Washburn Water and Sewer District. The Council reviewed an application for abatement of property taxes and heard discussion from the Washburn Fire Department regarding a tanker truck.
The Council also set the tax mil rate at 22 mils which is a .85 percent increase from last year. Without any exemptions, the tax on a $50,000 home in Washburn would have been $1,075 for 2008, and this year it would be $1,100, showing an increase of $25. During these hard economic times, much credit is due to the town’s municipal departments and SAD 45 for the responsible actions in the setting of their budgets, keeping town taxes at a reasonable level.
During the manager’s report, the Council was advised that the town received the CDBG Planning Grant and that the town has applied for the Assistance to Firefighters Fire Station Grant.
The Council was informed that a Letter of Commendation was presented to Officer Neal Ouellette for outstanding service to the Washburn community.
Also included in the agenda, the Council was advised that Mariner Tower will be coming to Washburn to discuss construction of the cell tower.
The Council went into executive session to discuss economic development and personnel matters. Reconvening afterwards, the Council voted to appoint Lisa Mette as deputy clerk and Bev Turner was voted in as tax collector.
The next scheduled meeting of the Washburn Town Council will be on Monday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center and, as usual, the public is invited to attend.
There are new staff members but certainly familiar faces at Washburn’s Town Office as well as in the Cemetery and Grounds Department. Debbie Corey will be the new assistant clerk, working part-time; Lisa Mette will be assuming the position of deputy clerk since the retirement of Anne Carter; and Bev Turner will be moving into the position of town manager/town clerk in August when current Town Manager Andrea Powers will be vacating her position in order for her and daughters Katie Mae and Ava Lynn to join her husband Francis in Seattle, Wash.
With this dedicated group of workers, the town can be assured of operating smoothly through the recent transitions in management.
Adam Wilcox is well into his first summer as a member of the staff, joining Travis Drost, working his third summer for Washburn’s Cemetery and Grounds Department. Department Head Adam Doody notes that both crew members are doing a good job and take pride in their work of maintaining cemetery landscaping along with other aspects of their jobs.
The department has made good use of the new addition to their equipment, a one-ton Chevy dump truck which was a much-needed piece for them. They are sure it will meet the needs of the department for many years to come.
A good crowd of Washburn Rotarians and guests attended the Rotary picnic held at Thomas Brewer Park last weekend. Many of the guests were children who truly enjoyed the playground equipment, including some Frisbee fun and enjoying playing at the river’s edge, collecting some tiny rocks and splashing in the cool water.
Rotarians and guests attending included: Steve Boddy, Barbara Stuart, Lyman and Velma Sperrey, Gene Bradbury, Peggy Bugbee, Heather Doody, Mark Hester, Keith and Sue Brown, Art and Charlotte Griffin, Mike McIntosh, Cindy Richendollar, Christie Cochran, Janelle Ziegler and Mr. and Mrs. Steve Boddy, along with a beautiful and well-behaved pup, Beauford. Unable to attend due to work schedules were Stuart Turner and Dennis Harris.
A delicious array of food was served, including burgers and hotdogs cooked by “Chef” Steve Boddy. Salads and chips along with many overly delicious desserts ranging from cookies to chocolate and fudgy squares were also enjoyed.
Rotary President Barbara Turner took this occasion to present Lyman Sperrey with the official medallion and plaque of the Paul Harris award.
A belated birthday wish goes out to Stuart Turner. Those celebrating birthdays this week include: Chris Tuttle, Nicole Pinette, David Boyce, Ruby Sands, Sara Regan, Parker Thompson, Dylan Conley, Bernhard Aegerter, Carroll Bragg II, Michelle Jordan, Heidi Silver, Mary LeConey, Gertrude Howard, Madelyn Johnston, Kevin Woodbrey, Dorothy Sperrey, Paul Bither, Gilda Howlett, Makenzie Vaughn, Margo McIntosh, Kaleb Dahlgren, Virginia White, Mike Tarbox, Ruth White, Matthew White, Natalie Thomas, Rick Landeen, Richard Drost, Loretta Harmon, Julie Belk and Robin Sands.
Anniversary wishes go out to: Troy and Nicki McCrum, Andy and Donna Turner, Alan and Cheryl Flanagin and Lucky and Tammie Bragg.
The program TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, is more than a diet program, it is also a support group for any and all dieters, regardless of what program they are involved in. Each week, there are programs for helpful information on weight loss and ideas for novel approaches to dieting. This past week, program Chairman Kathie Plante gave a presentation on the benefits of walking.
This past week, the member who lost the most weight was Birdena Cochran with a loss of 5 and one-half pounds. The total combined weight loss of all members present was 11 and one-half pounds.
They also have an ongoing account at the Washburn Redemption Center as a fund-raiser, and anyone wishing to donate any or all of their bottles to this group, just mention ‘TOPS’ to Gerald or Darcy at the Center and they will credit your donation to the organization.
The Washburn Soup Kitchen schedule includes regular meals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, served from 3 to 5 p.m. The kitchen also does up food boxes whenever they are open, and the kitchen is open to any citizens in the tri-community area. Keep in mind that there will also be a senior citizens meals served the second Friday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Salmon Brook Historical Society Museum summer schedule and the hours are Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m., and Wednesdays, from 8 to 11 a.m. To arrange for tours at other times, please call 455-8279.
The Washburn Beavers’ ATV Club will be holding their next meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the Gould Street clubhouse.
Jeffrey’s Garden on the Chandler Road is now open for the season with hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Saturdays he will be at the Farmer’s Market at the Aroostook Centre Mall from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friendly Coop order week for July will be from Monday, July 20, through Friday, July 24, with delivery scheduled for Friday, July 31, and please arrange to pick up your orders during the afternoon or early evening hours. For further information contact Brenda McCoy at 455-8421 or e-mail bunny@ainop.com.
Volunteers are still needed for the final week of work the Salmon Brook Lake Bog Trail in Perham. Assistance is needed from Wednesday, July 22, through Tuesday, July 27. Work being done includes clearing trail, bog bridging and observation platform work. Contact people are Sarah Gaffney at 624-6092 or Jeanne Curran at 287-3156.
The library’s summer reading program will be ongoing through Friday, Aug. 7, and registration forms and time sheets can be picked up at the library. The library summer programs are held Tuesdays through Aug. 4. Grades 5 to 8 will have the time between 12:30 a.m. and noon. Grades K-4 will enjoy their time from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Each group will do a craft, read a story and have snacks as well as some fun surprises.
On Wednesday, July 22, there will be basketball held at the elementary school with grades K-2 playing from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., grades 3-4 play from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and the grade 5-8 teams go from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. There will be a major league game against Fort Fairfield at 5:30 p.m. and T-ball will go from 6 to 6:45 p.m.
On Thursday, July 23, K-2 soccer will be held at the elementary school fields from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., Grades 3-4 play from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and grades 5-8 will have the field from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Arts and crafts will be held at the Rec Center with grades 5-8 going from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and K-4 creating from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Also on Thursday, July 23, there will be a minor league game against Fort Fairfield at 5:30 p.m.
The Field Day event for Friday, July 24, will be swimming at Portage Lake. The group will be leaving the Rec Center at 10 a.m. and returning at 2:30 p.m. Each participant will need to know how to swim. They also need to bring a bathing suit, towel, sunscreen and beach-related toys they’d like to use. A lunch will be provided.
On Monday, July 27, there will be basketball at the elementary school with grades K-2 playing from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., grades 3-4 play from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and grades 5-8 will go from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. There will be major league playoffs starting at 5:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, July 28, K-2 soccer will be at the elementary school field from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. grades 3-4 soccer will go from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and the grade 5-8 teams will play from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Cooking class will be held at the Rec Center on Tuesday, July 28, with grades 5-8 and grades 2-4 will be cooking from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. There will be minor league practice at 5:30 p.m.
Believe it or not, there are only 24 more days until the great event takes place!
New events include two soccer games for boys and girls added to the schedule, with more information as to time and place to follow next week.
The Washburn Soup Kitchen will be selling some delicious strawberry shortcakes in the municipal parking lot. The event will begin early Saturday morning and continue until they run out; and the cost is a modest $3 with proceeds to benefit the Soup Kitchen. Also available will be a donation spot for non-perishable items for the kitchen.
Festival special events for the young and young-at-heart include a family-fun softball game for all ages held at the high school ball field starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13. For further information, contact Andy Churchill at 455-8145.
There will be a Children’s Scavenger Hunt at the Town Park starting at 6:30 p.m., with a rain location at the elementary school gym.
There will be a free hotdog roast as part of the Katahdin Trust Company Customer Appreciation Day, and at 8:30 p.m. there will be a Movie Night for families. The “screen” will be on the side of the Salmon Brook Historical Society barn. The Washburn Rotary will be serving refreshments and the rain location will be at the high school gym.
On Saturday, Aug. 15, there will be a Bike and Baby Parade following the main parade and registration will be held at the Washburn Town Office building at 8 a.m. Many prizes are available and rain location will be at the elementary school.
There will be a Children’s Carnival hosted by the Class of 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will be held at the lot beside the post office.
The rock wall and the Maine Army National Guard Obstacle Course will be located at the Katahdin Trust Company parking lot. Special guest SSG Danny Churchill will be on hand to greet participants.
Sterling Haynes will be giving fun mini tractor rides at the elementary school parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
There will be a NASCAR display after the parade presented by Steve Doody.
Starting at 4 p.m. at the Mill Pond Foot Bridge, the Rubber Ducky 50/50 Derby will be held. Only 170 tickets will be sold for $5 each and can be purchased anytime at the Town Office as well as during the festival in the Town Park.
A special Family Movie Night sponsored by the Washburn Ministerial Association will take place at 7:30 p.m. The movie, “Fireproof,” will be shown in the Fire Department bays and refreshments will be available.
Starting at 9 p.m., a giant fireworks display will be held on the hill behind the high school. Rain date will be Sunday, Aug. 16, same time and place.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
