Town Council notes
Fifteen residents attended the Town Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 11, at the Civic Center. The Council voted to approve the minutes from the July 14 Council meeting and reviewed the financial figures through July 31, noting that all municipal budgets are on target for this time of the fiscal year.
In other business, the Council signed off on their Right to Know training for all elected officials. They were also brought up to date on information regarding Alternative Energy, both wind and photovoltaic, and the town manager was authorized to look into grant monies that may be available for area residents. The Council also reviewed the proposal for a tax increment financing (TIF) proposal submitted by Joan Fortin, Esq. This was tabled for the September Council meeting when a full Council will be present.
Kids Count Daycare presented a request for the Health Center building. This was tabled for the September meeting when a full Council will be present.
A presentation on the regionalization of fire services was discussed with Chief Arnie Devoe and Assistant Chief Troy Heald. There were several ways discussed on how to regionalize the department with meetings to be scheduled in the near future. Regionalization is valuable to a department in many areas, including training and grant money.
The Council also reviewed applications for abatement of property taxes, with two abated and two tabled for the September Council meeting.
In the Manager’s Report, Andrea Powers related that the contract for Mariner Tower had been signed. Construction of the tower will coincide with the Castle Hill project. This will be a “self-sustaining” tower, with U.S. Cellular being the carrier for cell service. There was also citizen interest shown in Internet services.
The Council will possibly be researching information on setting aside some municipally-owned land for tree cutting. It was also noted by Town Manager Andrea Powers that the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands has a Firewood Program and any interested citizens should call 435-7963 ext. 210 to learn more about the program.
The Council set a meeting for the Washburn Water and Sewer District for Monday, Sept. 8, at the Civic Center at 5 p.m. This will be followed by the September meeting of the Washburn Town Council.
Birthdays/anniversaries
Those celebrating birthdays this week include: Glen Tupper, Phyllis Kelley, Robert Schwartz, Cindi Turner, Ryan Taylor, John Howlett, John Canders, Chelsey Dodd, Scott McIntosh, Drew Condon, Stacy Baker, Krysten Blackstone, Roscoe McIntosh, Lois McCrossin, Dale Easler, Earl Campbell, Geraldine Beckwith, Amber Thompson and Leroy Beaulier.
Special anniversary wishes go out to Adam and Angela Rider, Chris and Peggy Wilson, Scott and Tammy Susi, Mike Barker and Amy Berube, Chris and Peggy Wilson, Erik and Erika Vaughn, Bill and Tracy Whitten, Robert and Valerie Maynard, Morgan and Shirley Everett, Fred and Tamria Maynard, and Mark and Diana Bragg.
Perham notes
The Perham Ladies’ Group is getting started in updating the “Perham History Book.” This is one of their “winter projects” and they hope to have others join them or help with this project. Some of the information in the book needs to be updated, and more photos or stories of interest will be included. Any new Perham residents who live in the town’s older houses will also be included and any other information, old or new, would be greatly appreciated. For more information, contact Joan Connolly at 455-4433 or 455-8340 or Ellie Snyder at 455-8016.
The County Guild of Farmers and Artisans is a new group being formed and is open to anyone living in Aroostook County. This co-op is involved in discovering new forms of energy as well as viable ways of farming and providing energy. More information can be found on the Web at aroostookcoop.freeforums.org, or contact Debra Viola at 498-3433 or Gary Kaszas at 554-7773.
Tilley family visitors
Burton and Bette Lou Tilley recently enjoyed visits from friends and family including some special great -grandchildren, Cody and Brianna Krupienski, of Enfield, Conn. They also visited with their aunt, Cheryll Flanagin, of Presque Isle.
The group spent some time at Tall Pines Camp at Squa Pan Lake, enjoying a delicious barbeque with a patriotic red white and blue theme. The winner of the contest was “Chef” Blyn Tilley who sported a red white and blue do rag along with shorts, no shirt and a patriotic tie. Blyn is known throughout the family as a wonderful chef, and this time was helped by his wife, “Boomer.” Others visiting at the lake included: Carmen Tilley and Cheryll Flanagin, Sean Flanagin, Eric Bradstreet, Jenna Flanagin, Great Aunt Laurane Theriault and her family, Kevin and Shirley Kidney and Steve Helstrom.
Also visiting Burton and Bette Lou Tilley were their granddaughter, Nicole Butler, and her husband, Mike, and their children, Micah, Lasha and Cianna, of Palm Harbor, Fla. They also had a chance to spend some time at Tall Pines Camp at Squa Pan Lake. The Butler family visited with Nicole’s mom and family, Pam, Brian and Marie Morris, of Portage Lake.
Bird receives scholarship
Alex V. Bird, of Crouseville, has been awarded a Maine Masonic Scholarship. Alex is a 2008 graduate of Washburn District High School and the daughter of Dean and Debbie Bird, of Crouseville. She will be attending Husson College in Bangor this fall and majoring in occupational therapy. Ken White, District Deputy Grand Master for the first Masonic District of the Grand Lodge of Maine, had the pleasure of presenting Alex with the scholarship certificate at her home. The Grand Lodge of Maine awards numerous scholarships annually throughout the state, and this year Alex is one of four Aroostook County students to receive the award.
Events/reminders
New summer hours for the Town Office are Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the lunch hour remaining from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Fridays from 7 a.m. until noon. These hours will remain in effect through Aug. 31.
TOPS will be meeting each Monday at the Washburn Trailrunners clubhouse, starting with weigh-in at 4:15 p.m. and the meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. For further information, contact Birdena Cochran at 455-8353.
There will be a meeting for the Washburn Water and Sewer District on Monday, Sept. 8, at the Civic Center at 5 p.m. This will be followed by the regular September meeting of the Washburn Town Council.
The Salmon Brook Historical Society will be holding their quarterly meeting on Sept. 25 at the Washburn Civic Center at 6 p.m. There will be a potluck supper followed by a business meeting. Please bring a main dish or dessert and a place setting. Bring your friends and neighbors. All are welcome.
Rec Center schedule
There will be soccer for grades 3 and 4 on Thursday, Aug. 21, and on Thursday, Aug. 28, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Grades K-2 play soccer from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
Boy Scout news/notes
Members of Washburn Boy Scout Troop 177 have had a busy time this summer. They presented the Washburn Rotary with their annual Troop Charter. Adam Wilcox, the Troop senior patrol leader, made the presentation to Rotary President Cindy Richendollar. The presentation was attended by Scoutmaster Larry Harrison and Charter Organization Representative Keith Brown. Both leaders are Rotarians and Keith Brown is on the Troop Committee. Several of the Boy Scouts got the chance to attend summer camp at the Katahdin Scout Reservation’s Camp Roosevelt. Attending were: Taylor Skinner, Stephen Kinney, Keeghan Page, Kody Brissette, Don Wilcox, Greg Page, Nicholas Gumprecht, Curtis Thompson, Jacob Reed, Adam Wilcox, Daniel Roy and Larry Harrison.
The troop also participated in the Aroostook River Fun Run sponsored by the Presque Isle and Washburn Rotaries. Troop members manned the food table, serving coffee, donuts, water and pastries for the participants. The Rotary members presented them with the coveted “Paddle” award, and it is on display in the Rotary Cabinet at the Washburn Civic Center. Those accepting the award were: Cameron Preston, Daniel Roy, Taylor Skinner and Andy White Jr.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn, Wade and Perham. She can be reached at 455-8034 or gramchristie@yahoo.com.
