By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Road construction wraps up this week, but how Bridgton will address sidewalks in 2023 was up for debate Tuesday night.

The plan is to maintain continuity with Main Street’s look by using granite curbing for sidewalks on Elm, Highland, Church and Kennard Streets. Unlike Main Street, asphalt not concrete will be used — partly in keeping what has been done in other residential areas, Town Manager Bob Peabody pointed out.

Two projects — Elm ($124,189) and Highland ($129,199) — were approved for Community Development Block Grant funding and are ready to be put out to bid, with construction slated for spring.

Select Board Chairwoman Carmen Lone stressed the importance of maintaining “visual continuity” of Main Street and the need to use granite curbing. After a conversation with Public Service Director David Madsen, Lone said she has no problem using asphalt as the sidewalk travel surface, but emphasized “it absolutely needs to be maintained.” She called some of the existing sidewalks “abysmal” and “terrible.” Later in the conversation, Lone went as far to say that maintaining sidewalks needs to be a “priority,” either to be included in the Public Works budget or budgeted by the Select Board.

Selectman Paul Tworog called for concrete to be used on the four streets.

“It’s a matter of aesthetics, especially because of the investment we’ve made on Main Street,” he said. “To nickel and dime it, it is not a decision I would make. I love to save money, but I am much more in favor of concrete; it’s an investment.”

Peabody clarified that the “peanuts” saved by using asphalt over concrete is close to $70,000. He added that going with concrete deviates from the program started several years ago to use paving on sidewalks in residential areas such as Lower Main.

“We just did Oak Street; what we did wrong, we didn’t go with granite curbing; in hindsight, we should have done granite curbing,” Peabody said. “Paving is easier to maintain. Aesthetics is a matter of personal preference, some people like pavement.”

Tworog feels asphalt “looks cheap” and “seems more flawed than concrete.” He suggested that to make up the financial difference between asphalt and concrete, the town could dip into the Undesignated Fund Balance (which would require a town vote, Peabody said).

Peabody noted, “No matter what you use, you will need to do work to it at some point; in-house repairs are easier with paving. The issue is not the surface, it is the curbing.”

Tworog and Selectman Ken Murphy supported the shift to concrete, but the motion failed when Lone and McHatton voted to stick with the original plan of using asphalt.

“There needs to be some plan to rehabilitate sidewalks as they deteriorate. It needs be a priority in the future,” Lone said.

Peabody reiterated the need to be consistent, treating all neighborhoods the same — rather than differential treatment for different parts of the community.

In other meeting notes:

DMV lease. Although the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has yet to return to operating satellite sites (the state stopped the practice as the result of the Covid pandemic), it still wants to lease space at the Bridgton Municipal Complex to keep this option available.

For a new lease to happen, the state will likely to make a few concessions. First, town officials would like 24-hour notice regarding days when BMV is scheduled to use the lower level meeting area, but will not be showing up — thus enabling the town to use the room for public meetings, if need be.

Linda Stohs, Bureau of General Services office specialist, informed the town the state would be amendable to that request.

The Select Board would agree with a two-year lease agreement, but do not want to commit to an automatic two-year renewal.

McHatton noted, “We have no idea what the need of the town will be in two years. Let a future board look at it, whether they want to continue or not.”

Peabody and Deputy Town Manager Georgiann Fleck will continue negotiations with state officials, and report back to the board.

Boost for concession stand project. Tying up a few loose ends at the Ham Complex concession stand moved a step closer to completion.

Greater Bridgton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Angie Cook presented town officials with a check for $1,440 toward the project. The money was raised during the Chamber’s annual Brewfest 50/50 raffle.

“We’re very appreciative,” Select Board chairwoman Carmen Lone said.

Kudos to election crew. Board members and Town Manager Bob Peabody gave kudos to the staff working Election Day at the town hall.

“I’m proud of fact our polls are completely controlled by the town and your vote is counted — you can count on it,” Selectman Bob McHatton said.

Peabody later chimed in, also appreciating “friends and neighbors giving time for this important task. They’re doing a great job.”

Peabody noted unlike past elections, there was a greater law enforcement presence in the polling area.

“I’ve checked twice, it’s been nice and smooth, that’s good news,” he said.

McHatton also thanked Recycling Committee members for working countless hours, researching and developing a Pay Per Bag proposal brought before voters, as well as committing time to educate the public on this issue.

“Whether want it or not, that’s your decision. The Board of Selectmen’s job is to bring before you recommendations on how to operate the town; and this committee spent hundreds of hours (on this issue), and deserves appreciation for the work they put in.”

Are we listening? Citizen Barry DeNofrio has an issue with how the town is regulating water levels at Woods Pond, and he let his feelings be known in a recent letter to the editor.

Selectmen Ken Murphy and Paul Tworog asked what the town’s response has been to DeNofrio’s comments.

“The town has a policy (on water levels), and we are following the policy,” the town manager responded.

“I can’t help how people feel…we’re following the policy.”

Tworog wants to be sure that the town responds to a concerned citizen, “whether he is right or wrong.”

“He’s working hard to protect the beach,” Tworog said. “The water level (as of Nov. 2) is slightly above the target. By the Nov. 15 target level date, I’m hoping we can be at the 3.5. Again, it is important to respond to citizens who are trying their best to protect the beach.”

Peabody noted that town officials have been “going back and forth” with DeNofrio regarding water levels for the eight years he has been here. Peabody added that the situation has reached a point that DeNofrio has been told “not to interact with (town) employees when trying to do their jobs.”

Time to tighten up dumping. Regardless how the Pay Per Bag vote went Tuesday, Selectman McHatton called for the town to take steps to tighten up on what trash haulers dump into the household waste hopper.

Recently, he saw a commercial hauler dump not only trash, but a fair amount of recyclables into the waste bin.

“It needs to be addressed,” McHatton said.

Abatements totaling $13,168.54 were approved.