By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

During the last big rain event, Celeste Koehler Schuh watched a “waterfall” sweep across her property, over Camp Pondicherry Road and into Adams Pond. The heavy water flow caused “destruction” to Adams Pond Road, prompting Koehler Schuh to write a letter to town officials.

When she failed to get a response, she made an in-person to the Select Board Tuesday night, asking what was going to be done about the damage.

Town Manager Bob Peabody said an e-mail was sent, but he suspected it went to another person who had expressed concerns about the situation.

Public Services Director David Madsen and Peabody had checked the road, and will make repair as part of their spring schedule.

“We’re going to need to take out a little bit of ledge, redo the ditch on the high side of that road, allowing it to get all the way past that property and go down through the culvert and into the lake like the road was designed to years ago. And, we will upsize the culvert that’s currently there,” Madsen said.

Scheduling conflict — Ken Murphy thoroughly enjoys his role as a Select Board member, however, it can be difficult at times fitting in numerous meetings with his daily work schedule.

When Deputy Town Manager Georgiann Fleck unveiled the March budget review timeline, one day landed squarely on a date that seeking coverage at his day job could be difficult.

For the past few years, department heads meet with the Select Board on Monday and Tuesday to go over their proposed budgets. Tuesday is for outside agencies and entities such as the library and Community Center, as well as an opportunity for a department head to bring back more information, if requested to do so during the Monday session.

These meetings go for most of the day.

Murphy asked if the meeting schedule could be Tuesday and Wednesday to avoid a work schedule conflict.

One problem, Public Services Director David Madsen will be unavailable on Wednesday due to military service obligations.

While Murphy plans to check with his work boss about finding coverage on Monday, Select Board members tossed out other options. For one, they felt there is plenty of time to ask department heads to move their presentations to Tuesday.

Or, Selectman Bob McHatton, who pointed out that he has been involved in 33 budget sessions in his long-tenure on Select Boards, suggested officials go back to past practice that department heads made their budget cases to Town Manager Bob Peabody, who then either agrees or makes cuts in the proposals before handing them off to the Select Board for their review.

Selectman Paul Tworog likes the opportunity to go over budget lines with department heads, and pushed for day changes instead. He also tossed support to doing whatever necessary so fellow board member Murphy could be present for both dates.

Then, there is a matter of not straying too far from the timeline as the Select Board has certain dates to complete reviews, make decisions and get final proposals in place in time for town workers to create annual town meeting warrants, which need to be posted by certain dates before the actual meeting — no later than March 12.

Murphy plans to check on his work status and return an answer before week’s end.

Winter Carnival shift — Dan Harden approached the board seeking permission for the Chamber of Commerce to use Highland Lake Beach for the annual Winter Carnival on Feb. 17 (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.). He noted that there is some uncertainty at the moment regarding fireworks “because we need a little bit more ice out there,” Harden said.

Harden also asked permission to shut down a section of Highland Road to motor vehicle traffic from about 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. He already discussed the idea with Police Chief Phil Jones and Fire Chief Glen Garland.

“What it will allow us to do is take some of the stuff that used to be at the grass area (to the left of the actual beach where the hole is cut for the Freezing for a Reason dip), kind of leave that area alone and move stuff toward the boat ramp and out onto the street,” Harden said. “I think it will help with the grass issue that we’ve had in the past.”

Harden said parking will still be available, and Kennard Street will be a one-way during this period — going away from the beach area toward Bacon Street. A lane on Highland Road will be kept open in case of emergency vehicle access. Those motorists trying to reach The Noble House will need to travel to Dugway Road and left onto Highland Road.

There will be no hot tubs, but there will be a warming tent.

Weather watch — An important reminder that with winter weather is here, and it is important to keep driveways and private roads cleared and sanded so that, if the need arises, emergency personnel can safely access property.

Taxes and Licensing due — A reminder that quarterly real estate taxes are due February 15, and May 15.

It is time to renew your dog licenses for 2024.  Please bring the current rabies certificate with you.  You can also obtain your dog’s registration online via the State of Maine dog licensing service until Jan. 31, 2024.  A late fee of $25 per dog will be imposed after Jan. 31, per State Law. 

Question of the Month — During 2024, the Comprehensive Plan Task Force will be asking the public a Question of the Month!

January’s question is: “Where do you take out of town visitors?” Please visit the Community Development page on the Town of Bridgton website to answer the Question of the Month and to learn more about the Comprehensive Planning process.