Archive for ‘News’

  • This year, Bridgton faces SAD 61 budget hike

    By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer There is good news for Casco and Naples taxpayers when it comes to paying for public education. The proposed $32,134,019 SAD 61 budget will actually result in a decrease in assessments for Casco (estimated at 2.57% or $167,119) and Naples (estimated at 6.45% or $517,029). Casco’s school bill would be […]

  • Weighing in on Pay Per Bag program

    By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer As Steve Lisauskas of WasteZero explained how the company could provide designated trash bags and offer public education on the benefits of a Pay Per Bag program, Maureen Harpell had one important question to ask. “How do we get people to say ‘yes?’ What is the buy in for […]

  • Naples wants more law presence than deputy

    By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — A discussion of replacing a light post that was hit by a vehicle turned into talk about getting extra law enforcement coverage. During the Naples Board of Selectmen meeting last week, it started withone selectman questioning how the town goes about replacing a streetlight that was hit […]

  • At a crisis point — Manpower shortage leads Harrison Fire Chief to propose ‘hybrid’ plan

    By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer HARRISON — As a full-time paramedic for United Ambulance, Dana Laplante finds himself intently listening as an emergency fire call in Harrison is dispatched. “I’m worried whether anyone is going to answer the call,” said Laplante, who also serves as Harrison’s Fire Chief.  Laplante sounded the alarm to the […]

  • ‘Outstanding Woman of 2022’ — Humbled by honor for her Food Pantry efforts

    By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — When Connie Madura heard she was being honored as one of 20 Outstanding Women of 2022, she viewed it as an opportunity to promote the Naples Food Pantry. Then, she learned that she was nominated because of her involvement with the food pantry, which very much opened […]

  • Markets pay pretty penny for recycling

    By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer  NAPLES — Contrary to popular belief: Recycled items are still sold to various markets for a pretty penny.   For example, ecomaine received payments of up to $236 a ton for colored HDPE plastic. That bale might have a future as new plastic jugs. Or, the recycled plastic might be […]

  • Middle Road’s new pavement cracking

    By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — The paving done on Middle Road needs to be fixed, according to a Naples selectman. The topic wasn’t on the agenda. However, it was brought up during departmental reports.   “Maybe this is the time to talk about Middle Road,” Selectman Ted Shane began, saying that Naples Maintenance […]

  • Federal money trickles down to local projects

    Federal grant money is trickling to local businesses and organizations. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, along with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree this week announced recipients of Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations Bill funding. They include: • $388,888 for renovation to the Harrison Food Bank and Community Center. “The dedicated staff and volunteers at Harrison Food Bank […]

  • Casco crafts rules for pot-based businesses

    By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer CASCO — Five years ago, more than half of the residents in Casco voted in favor of adult-use recreational marijuana.  In about three more months, during annual town meeting, Casco residents will consider three specific questions regarding marijuana-based businesses in their community.  “When we go to town meeting, we […]

  • ‘Flash Mob’ creates equality awareness

    By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer In Saudi Arabia, women were given the legal right to drive on June 24, 2018. In America, women have had the advantage of being permitted to operate a vehicle since 1899. But, there’s still a distance to go to gain equality.  “It’s 2022 and we don’t have an equality […]