Currently the town of Wade does not have a Building Ordinance in effect, and the selectmen recently held a public meeting to decide whether or not to adopt one. This ordinance would require residents to have a permit for all construction, additions or alterations. This would in turn assure that all taxes on construction could be levied, thus making the tax base fair for all Wade residents. The provisions of a building ordinance would not require permits for buildings measuring less than 4 feet by 4 feet and would not include decorative changes such as siding, repainting and relocation of doors and windows. It was also noted that no fee would be charged at this time for the permits, but fines could be assessed for violations regarding the building ordinance.
Seven residents attended the meeting and were advised that without these permits being issued, the town would likely lose tax income on homes or other buildings not being registered. One example cited was that of a new home that had been built and occupied for approximately two years. It was never listed on the tax roles since the town officers didn’t know it existed. Other buildings, such as camps, are not located within sight of main roads or located in woodlands so the town has no way to know of their existence.
Wade’s code officer noted that the state of Maine now mandates building codes for each town with a population base over 2,000 and that within the next two or years or so the state may mandate all municipalities have building codes.
Selectmen attending included George Howe, Freeman Corey and Nelson Ketch, along with Tax Collector/Treasurer Donna Turner.
Those celebrating birthdays this week include: Carol Mahoney, Eldon McPherson, Kim Worcester, Dakota Michaud, Jeannie Johnson, Brent Turner, Kyle Woodbrey, Bruce Berube, Calvin Wardwell, Vicki Huston, Trent Cunningham, Vickie Ericson, Christopher Peary, Anneke Kierstead, Daniel White, Leslie Martin, Jon Hester, Gerald Clark, Melissa Jordan, Richard Whitney and Byron Flood.
Anniversary wishes go out to: Arnie and Brenda Devoe, Danny and Doris Churchill, Don and JoAnn Thompson, Elky and Dolores Woodman, Dyland and Michaela Conley and Matt and Erin Valone.
Members of Saint Catherine’s Catholic Church on McManus Street in Washburn will be providing a special harvest dinner on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The menu will include ham, turkey, beans and assorted pies, along with coffee and tea and pies for dessert. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for children. There will also be a 50/50 raffle held and tickets are six for $5 or $1 each.
Please feel free to check out the supply of coats at the Washburn Civic Center that were given by the Salvation Army Coat Program. There is a wide variety of coats and jackets in most every size.
The Lidstone Memorial Methodist Church will be sponsoring a public harvest supper to be held at the Washburn Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The menu includes baked ham, hot dogs and rolls, yellow eye and pea beans, coleslaw, potato salads, sweet breads and pickles. Dessert will include delicious pumpkin and apple pies.
The cost is $3 for ages 12 and under and $7 for adults.
The next meeting of the Washburn Town Council is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center, and all interested residents are welcome to attend. This change in date is due to the fact that Monday, Oct. 12, was a holiday.
All dogs 6 months old or older must be registered in the municipality where the dog is kept by Jan. 1 of each year. Dogs can be registered for the year 2010 anytime after Thursday, Oct. 15, in Washburn and fee rates are $6 for dogs that are spayed or neutered and $11 for those that are not. Be sure and bring the dog’s registration from last year, the rabies vaccination certificate and the spaying or neutering certificates if you have one, as these are required for registration.
Please be reminded that interest of nine percent per year will begin on Nov. 1, 2009 for any outstanding 2009 taxes unless you are a member of the Tax Club and are current on your payments.
On Thursday, Oct. 14, soccer practice for grades 3-4 and grades 5-6 will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the elementary school fields.
On Saturday, Oct. 17, there will be a county soccer tournament held at Presque Isle for the grades 5 to 6 team.
There will be men’s basketball at the elementary school gym on Monday, Oct. 19, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
There will be a fun fall cooking event held at the Rec Center on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. This is open to grades 2-4.
On Friday, Oct. 23, there will be a movie at the Rec Center from 2:45 to 4:30 p.m. This event is open to grades K-4.
The volunteers and Board of Directors for the Washburn Soup Kitchen are regretfully closing their doors as of Saturday, Oct. 31, but food boxes will be put up one day a week, which will be announced in the near future, until all current supplies are used up.
They provided the final monthly senior citizen meal on Friday, Oct. 9, to a good crowd who all noted that they will miss the kitchen. As of Thursday, Oct. 8, the kitchen has put up 40 boxes and approximately 200 meals so far with three weeks left to go. Anyone having any suggestions or a solution to the problem of space is asked to contact Elizabeth Richardson at 455-4900 and leave a message if no one answers or phone 764-3167.
Residents of Washburn, Wade, Perham and Crouseville are invited to attend a free community workshop at the Civic Center on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Information and food samples will be offered at the free community workshop and topics will include how to get the most health benefits from what you eat, as well as learning about cancer-fighting foods.
There will be a drawing for some great door prizes including gift cards from area businesses.
September was the last time for quarterly billing for the District. Starting in Oct., the bills will be sent out on a monthly basis. The hours for the District are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 2:45 p.m. There is also a lockbox available outside the office for payment dropoffs. Anyone having questions or needing further information may contact the office at 455-1042.
Christie Cochran is the correspondent for Washburn and the surrounding communities. She can be reached at 455-8034 or e-mail gramchristie@yahoo.com.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
One of the largest moose taken the first week of hunting season, weighing in at 1,009 pounds, belongs to “Hank” Burchard, of Amherst, Va., shown here with Master Maine Guide John Robertson. The moose was tagged and weighed at Gateway in Ashland and brought to the Washburn Food Mart for cutting and wrapping.
