By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Times do change, but one never should ignore successful strategies from the past.

While the use of digital surveys proved very effective in gauging the public’s thoughts regarding Bridgton’s Open Spaces (over 600 responses), Selectman Bob McHatton reminded Community Development Director Tori Hill to reach out to different areas of town and different organizations to collect more and more data to be used as the foundation of the new Comprehensive Plan.

Hill updated the Select Board Tuesday night regarding the Comp Plan and what’s next.

A request for proposal goes out this week seeking a consultant, who will blend all collected material (from Vision Bridgton and Community Heart & Soul) and write the actual plan.

Hill posed the idea of creating a “selection team” consisting of task force members to review proposals at the end of May. She hopes to create a method to score proposals received.

Hill noted hiring a consultant to write the plan will bring both expertise to the process (the firm will have experience in writing the plan and know what items will need to be included to meet state compliance), as well as lessen the burden on town staff.

Board Chairman Carmen Lone asked Hill if the public will get a chance to see a pre-production plan at a scheduled forum?

The review schedule will include two meetings with the Select Board and two with the Planning Board, as well as either monthly or bi-monthly meetings between the task force and consultant, which will be open to the public.

“As far as the outreach process goes, is there an emphasis on getting people who might not participate, is it happening?” Selectman Paul Tworog asked.

“Yes,” Hill responded. She reviewed how well the processed work with the Open Space Plan with “all partners involved.” She noted volunteers worked with citizens at the Bridgton Community Center to either fill out written surveys or file them online. There was a survey drop-off box at the library, and information was dispensed via social media.

Tworog and McHatton, however, felt holding neighborhood meetings — which was done the last time the town updated its Comp Plan — is needed.

“I am anxious to make sure we get input from different groups,” Tworog said.

Hill pointed out that she has a “big map,” which she asks those attending meetings place a marker indicating where they reside.

“We’re casting as wide a net as we can,” she said.

Seeing what happened in a nearby town, Lone suggested that once Round 1 is completed, a second round of seeking public comment should take place, hoping to catch those who were missed and give them a second chance to present their thoughts about Bridgton’s future.

“It’s important we hit all corners of town to get as many different opinions,” McHatton added.

Other news from the Select Board:

• New park maps coming — With the re-development of some Pondicherry Park trails to meet the needs of those with mobility issues, new maps will soon be printed to identify those pathways, reported Selectman Paul Tworog, who serves as a liaison for the Select Board on the Park Committee.

Funds earmarked for map printing were already expended, but Town Manager Bob Peabody said if the committee is seeking to put out more maps prior to summer (after the annual town meeting), money could be taken from a contingency fund.

Broadband update — CDD Tori Hill reported that Consolidated Communications is still planning a smaller buildout this summer, branching out on Route 302 toward and up Knights Hill.

Selectman Tworog said the initial focus of broadband work was creating better access and affordability. Based on service plans he has seen, access might improve, but the cost remains high — to a point that many may be priced out of Internet service.

Hill said grants target broadband upgrades and creating more access, but unfortunately does not address the consumer cost piece. However, she said a Greater Portland Council of Governments program, which partners with local libraries of which Bridgton Public Library Director Amy Stone is a member, enables those who qualify by income guidelines to receive $30 off their Internet bill.

Hill plans to meet with Stone to discuss how best to get this word out to local citizens.

Town Report dedication — This year’s town report will be dedicated to two people — George Kimball and Mike Tarantino.

Kimball, who passed away in April 2022, provided the town with ambulance service for many years. Selectman Bob McHatton made the recommendation.

Tarantino, who was recommended by Selectman Ken Murphy, served on municipal boards.

“Mike Tarantino is very much alive,” Chair Carmen Lone emphasized.

Last year, the town report was dedicated to long-time Planning Board member and town meeting moderator Steve Collins, who adjourned the town meeting as his final act as a moderator.

Town Clerk Laurie Chadbourne had provided the Select Board a list of those who had passed over the last year as a point of reference in deciding who to dedicate the town report to.

Unlike years past, the town posts the town report digitally on its website. A flyer was printed last year, which included a QR code that once scanned brings the reader to the town website and location of the report.

Selectman Ken Murphy asked if 100 people showed up at town meeting would there be paper reports available?

“It would be amazing if we had 100,” Town Manager Peabody said.

Last year, there were 45 reports printed, and three additional reports were created since then.

License approvals —  The Select Board gave license approvals to Sundown Lounge — formerly the Depot Street Tap House — and Wolfie’s Links, a food truck that will be sited at the Food City parking lot.

Mitchell Slattery of Harrison will be operating Sundown Lounge. He plans to include music in and outdoors — small acoustic, small jazz band but no rock bands — which will end at either 8 or 9 p.m. The Select Board altered the hours listed on the application from 5 to 11 p.m. to 5 to 10 p.m.

Slattery will also have the special amusement license reviewed by the Planning Board.

Anthony McDermond is finally following his dream. After 20 years in the film industry, he left New York and moved to Maine. After a stint working for an advertising agency, McDermond is on the verge of making a dream a reality — he plans to open Wolfie’s Links hopefully by Memorial Day or June 1.

A new food truck is headed from Michigan to Maine. It will be black, and feature the newly-designed Wolfie’s logo.

While Wolfie’s Links will sell a first-rate hot dog — “not those spinning in a machine for 30 to 45 minutes,” the menu doesn’t stop there. McDermond plans to experiment with a wide combination of ingredients — like buffalo chicken — stuffed into a link casing. He will also breakfast sandwiches in the morning hours then transitioning to lunch favorites.

“I’ve been here for nine winters since my New York escape. Bridgton is a place where I can do what I want to do, the way life should be,” he said. “I have a great partnership with Food City... I want to take a favorite meal and put into a casing.”

McDermond said the name Wolfie’s Links was done for a reason. “People say that’s not a hot dog,” McDermond noted, “we’re here to accommodate all tastes.”

Kids and Parks go hand in hand — Bridgton will take part in the Kids to Parks Day in May.

Kids to Parks Day, launched by the National Park Trust to be held annually on the third Saturday of May (this year, May 20). The goal: To broaden children’s appreciation for nature and outdoors, as well as the importance of recreating responsibly while enjoying the benefits of the outdoors.

Town officials unanimously supported the Kids to Parks Day proclamation. 2023 marks the 13th anniversary.

Bridgton Rec and Loon Echo Land Trust will present the Kids to Parks Day.

Quick takes — A reminder that people interested in running for municipal and school district offices must turn in nomination papers this Friday, April 14.

Sidewalk construction of Elm Street and Highland Road started this week. A timeline is posted on the town website, with updates posted when they become available.

Sargent Corporation will re-start construction on the wastewater expansion project beginning Monday, April 17. Updates on the town website.

Here’s a way to show town pride, take part in the Earth Day clean-up scheduled for Saturday, April 22 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet at the Bridgton Community Center. Wear bright colors. Gloves and bags will be provided. The event is sponsored by Loon Echo Land Trust.

“It is amazing citizens will take time to clean up our roads; it’s a sad statement we have to clean up for other people,” Town Manager Peabody noted.

Spring clean-up and burn permits — A reminder to citizens and visitors that the burning of yard debris, leaves, brush, tree limbs, etc. requires a burning permit.  These are available at no charge online at www.maine.gov/burnpermit through the Maine Forest Service.  There will be times, particularly, in the next few weeks that conditions will be too dry to burn and the permit system will not issue permits on those days. 

Permits can also be issued in person at the Bridgton Police Department Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Please keep in mind that any permitted burn must be attended by an adult at all times and must be completely extinguished before being left unattended. It is legal to have a small contained (outdoor fireplace or fire pit) fire for cooking, warming, or recreational use. Again, these fires must be attended by an adult and completely extinguished before being left unattended. 

Any questions please feel free to call 647-8814 during business hours or e-mail ggarland@bridgtonmaine.org

Upcoming Select Board meetings: April 25, May 9, May 23, June 13.