Tidbits from Tuesday’s Bridgton Select Board meeting:

No more chances. In the eyes of four Select Board members, the town gave Howard J. Tucker ample time to address issues at his Howard Trail property.

Since Tucker failed to complete a list of improvements, the Select Board voted 4-1 (Bob McHatton against) to direct legal counsel to pursue appropriate actions to remove “unauthorized occupants,” including Tucker and their personal property from the town-owned property.

The four board members also declined to accept Tucker’s check for $9,155.91 for back taxes and rejected approving a quit claim deed.

According to a Town of Bridgton memo dated Feb. 7, an inspection by Code Enforcement Officer Brenda Day was one at 112 Howard Trail and the requested items by the Select Board “were not met” by the Jan. 4 deadline. Those items were:

• Clean up some junk cars

• Clean up the trash in the yard

• Repair electrical outlets

• Bring the chimney on the second floor up to code

• Clear path to other means of egress on the first floor.

“The board’s recommendation was to not return the property back to Mr. Tucker until he is in compliance,” Day wrote.

In an April 2022 handwritten letter, Tucker explained to the town that he is disabled, has “many different health issues” and living on a limited Social Security income.

The town acquired the property by virtue of a tax lien that foreclosed on Jan. 30, 2020.

“The town intends to dispose of the Howard Trail property in a manner authorized by the Select Board,” according to a Feb. 14, 2023 notice signed by Town Manager Robert Peabody.

Tucker and other unauthorized individuals must vacate the property and remove their belongings by March 16.

“You have the right to contest this termination in court,” the letter concludes.

Tim Blanchard, who spoke to the Select Board Tuesday night as a representative of the Howard Trail Association, thanked board for “acting quickly” and noted that one of the concerns the group had was a “drastic change in the property since November; a trailer was brought in and (people are) living on the property.”

While Selectman Bob McHatton understands people’s feelings about the conditions at the Howard Trail property, he could not support booting the owner, especially since he had come up with the money to pay back taxes. He also questioned the existing policy, developed by a previous Select Board, to force property owners to bring conditions up to code.

“The policy should be changed. I don’t believe the town at any point in time should take a house and land not up to code or the way the property looks,” McHatton said. “Others in town are not up to code, but because they are paying their taxes, we’re not chasing and giving them ultimatums. I don’t condone the condition it is in; we should take the check, give back property and go after (him using the) state junkyard law and make him clean up in that way or face fines.”

McHatton thought about the situation “long and hard about how I feel.”

“People have the right to keep their property; he sent a check (to bring his taxes up to date), but the town is refusing to take check because of selectmen’s policy, not a state or town policy. I appreciate the work the CEO has done on this; I don’t think the town should be taking property. I think we should override this policy.”

Select Board members Carmen Lone, Paul Tworog, Carrye Castleman-Ross and Ken Murphy disagreed, and supported rejecting acceptance of the check, and removing unauthorized occupants from the property.

4 for 3. When the Bridgton Select Board looked at the resumes of four people interested in serving on the Bridgton Memorial School Ad Hoc Committee, they saw an “abundance of riches.”

Unfortunately, a tough decision had to be made since the committee has space for just three citizens. The applicants were Bruce Hancock (retired, member of the Appeals Board), Christopher Walton (environmental engineer consultant), Loraine Janelle (retired business owner and photojournalist) and Anne Overman (furniture painting and restoration).

Town Manager Robert Peabody clarified that based on the committee’s “charge,” there is no alternate position.

“You have to make the hard choice,” Peabody said.

With three board members each making a nomination, the three selected were Hancock, Walton and Overman.

Peabody noted that all meetings are open to the public, and public participation in the process of determining the “best use” for the Memorial School property will be encouraged.

Selectman McHatton asked that a letter be sent to Janelle thanking her for her interest in serving, and encouraging her to stay involved in the process.

McHatton also asked that new committee members be informed that their role is “advisory” in nature. The Ad Hoc Committee will develop recommendations and report back to the Select Board, which will ultimately decide what direction to take.

“There will be a wide discussion of options,” McHatton noted.

“We do encourage people in the community that their participation is important,” Board Chair Carmen Lone said. “Recommendations will not be binding, but will be taken seriously.”

Concern for a tree. Bruce Hancock spends time daily walking his dog, and he notices a lot during those strolls.

He voiced concerns to town officials regarding the state of an “antique” apple trees in Shorey Park.

“It needs professional pruning. It’s beautiful, and antique, and worth saving. I request the town to consider taking care of it,” Hancock said.

Is a safe zone needed? When long-time Bridgton resident Destin Pinkham looked to start a dual business at a building located at the base of Packard’s Hill, he thought it would be an easy project to sell.

The building sits alone along Route 302, and had previously housed a canvas repair operation.

While half of the building is slated for detail work, Pinkham wants to use the other part for marijuana sales.

He discovered that the property abuts Willis Park, which the town has designated as a “safe zone,” thus the sale of marijuana is prohibited.

Pinkham tried to get a variance from the Appeals Board, but was unable to meet the hardship standard.

So, he is bringing his case to the Select Board, and likely, Bridgton voters.

Feeling the Willis Park road property is not “a park,” where kids play, Pinkham wants to bring a request to town meeting to rescind the safe zone designation for that lot.

Selectman Bob McHatton suggested that the item be placed on a future agenda to allow officials time to review the ordinance and Pinkham’s plight.

Select Board concerns. Selectman McHatton asked to see a list of all town-owned properties, and suggested a discussion be had whether some should be put out for public sale.

He sees the potential of using funds from those sales to help with upcoming capital improvement projects, while also returning those properties to the tax rolls.

“There are some we would have no use for,” McHatton said.

Connecting with other towns. With so many projects taking front and center, one topic that seems to have taken a back seat is improving local Broadband.

It is still on Community Development Director’s Tori Hill’s to-do list.

Hill noted that Consolidated Communications will not be building out to cover Bridgton in its entirety, but will expand coverage along Route 302 to the Knights Hill area.

“Maps have not been released to the public at this point,” Hill noted.

Meanwhile, Hill sees more talks with other towns in an attempt to land grants to assist with access improvements.

Recently, Harrison learned that it had failed to land a grant through Maine Connectivity, and will now look at other ways to improve grant chances along with Broadband access.

Hill and Devlin plan to look at ways to bring other towns together to build a new coalition with the idea there might be greater strength in numbers — and ultimately more under-served areas to claim as part of a grant proposal.

• Expect to see more local roads posted this spring. Public Services Director David Madsen said the move is to protect newly-paved roadways.

• Several residents have voiced concerns regarding the dangers of walking along Willett Road. While constructing a sidewalk down this road might be too expensive, town officials are looking into adding more light.

Deputy Town Manager Georgiann Fleck recently had conversations with Central Maine Power about adding street lights along Willett Road. Four poles were identified for light fixture placement.

Fleck said the four were selected because the lighting will not shine onto homes or dooryards. Paperwork is being drafted by CMP and will be passed along to town officials for review.

CMP will also maneuver lighting on Highland Road to shine more light onto the beach parking area.

• Wastewater update. Construction on the wastewater plant continues along with installing a pump station near Hannaford.

“It’s almost done, and then, they’re moving to (behind) Walgreens,” Peabody said.

That pump station will be on SAD 61 property. Four new pump stations are being constructed, while five existing stations will be revamped.