By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Scott Smith and Forrest Kollander likely don’t consider themselves “heroes,” therefore Public Services Director David Madsen will refer to the town employees simply as “rock stars.”

Madsen recognized the two Town of Bridgton workers at Tuesday’s Select Board meeting for their quick responses to recent fires.

Smith, a mechanic who is approaching 40-years of service, was called out to the Public Works garage in the middle of the night two weeks ago to service a plow truck. On his way to work, Smith spotted three-foot flames shooting out of a home’s chimney. He stopped, woke up the home’s residents and helped them evacuate.

“That incredible,” Board Chairwoman Carmen Lone said. “At that time of night, I don’t know if I would recognize a fire.”

As foreman at the Transfer Station, Kollander went to the town garage at 4:30 a.m. one morning after a snowstorm to pick-up a truck to sand the Transfer Station lot. As he walked through the garage, flames shot through the hood of a new plow truck. Kollander called 9-1-1 and the truck was saved.

Right place, right time.

Both men received an ovation from town officials on a “job well done.”

In other Select Board news:

• Better path for all. Back in the fall of 2020, Loon Echo Land Trust Executive Director Matt Markot approached the Select Board regarding a plan to upgrade the main trail (Dunning Bridge to Willett Road) through Pondicherry Park to make it accessible to those requiring a wheelchair and other “wheeled” instruments.

Then, Covid hit. The plan landed on a shelf, but work behind the scenes continued. Markot was back before the board Tuesday night.

“The scope of the proposal really has not changed,” he said.

The big news was Loon Echo has raised $90,000 to make upgrades so that the popular trail is accessible to all.

“We are confident we have the funds to move forward with the work,” he said. “I am here to seek your permission to move forward. We are really excited to do this.”

One sticking point is gaining a right-of-way from Lakes Environmental Association since a portion of the trail crosses LEA property. Markot has talked with LEA Executive Director Colin Holme about a right-of-way, and feels a 40-by-20 can likely be agreed upon. The right-of-way would allow access to the park for small maintenance equipment, as well as emergency staff.

Markot said as part of funding requirements, the project will need to go out to bid. The expected impact of construction will be two weeks.

“It (the upgrade) will impact public access,” he said.

To gain some insight on what should be done as far as trail upgrades, Markot spoke with an individual who uses a wheelchair. He recommended to Markot that some sections of the existing trail should be “left alone,” since those using wheeled-devices “don’t always want to be on a gravel section.” Markot said there are 20 to 30-yard lengths that the existing surface is “uniform enough” to be kept in its existing state. Markot likely will consult with that individual more in the future.

Markot did contact Great Northern Docks regarding a quote to make the bridge more accessible. The cost is in the $60,000 range, so while Loon Echo would like to tackle that element, it will occur at a later date.

The town budget includes “in-kind” money — $12,500 — for culverts, base gravel and labor. The Select Board approved moving ahead with the project, contingent upon gaining the trail easement with LEA.

• Pay Per Bag update. If the town is to bring the question of Pay Per Bag to voters at this June’s town meeting, one key element has to be known, Selectmen Bear Zaidman and Bob McHatton agreed — how much will a bag cost? Through some initial calculations — tipping fees at ecomaine — Town Manager Bob Peabody projects the fee to be $1.25 per bag. Peabody would like to nail down a figure that will remain the same for at least a couple of years. The standard bag roughly holds 30 pounds of trash.

• Comp Plan. Community Development Director Linda LaCroix will hold a workshop with the Select Board regarding the game plan for update the Comprehensive Plan. The two-year process will include seeking the assistance of a “coach” from Community Heart & Soul, forming a work committee, which will be broken down into four task groups, and most importantly, find out from the people “what really matters” in terms of where Bridgton is and where folks want it to be in the future. The workshop is set for April 14 at 4 p.m.

• Quick takes. This year’s town report will be dedicated to long-time Planning Board chairman/member and town meeting moderator Steve Collins…Select Board member Fred Packard asked if town officials heard any word regarding the 55-plus housing complex to be developed off Route 117? Packard noted that the town had agreed to a TIFF for the project. Town Manager Bob Peabody said the developer has secured financing, and work is expected to start this spring…Selectman Bear Zaidman asked the town manager to see if the contractor responsible for the new sidewalks could be contacted and asked to assess the walkways’ condition. The 12-month guarantee period is approaching, and if damage exceeds 5%, the company is required to fix it at their cost. “I like to see whatever way it falls brought up to snuff by Memorial Day Weekend,” Zaidman said. “It would be nice for it to look decent.” Peabody noted that construction will continue this spring (40% of the streets still have work scheduled for spring and summer).