By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Since she assumed the interim president’s role at Bridgton Hospital five months ago, one goal Stephany Jacques has strived to accomplish is connecting with the community.

Tuesday, she took another step in that direction by introducing herself to Bridgton’s Select Board.

“It’s really important that we keep our care close to home and that the community feels supported by the hospital just as much as the community supports the hospital,” Jacques said. “We’ve really been partnering with Lake Region Recovery Center over the past few months, meeting with local business owners and community members, and sponsoring local events. I had the pleasure of attending Music on Main last month, and this community really knows how to bring family and friends together. My family is very excited to be a part of this, as well.”

Jacques pointed out that Bridgton Hospital is working to address services patients need.

“We did upgrade our mammography services. We now have 3-D mammography for women. We’re also looking at bringing back and building current service lines with a focus on gastroenterology, cardiology, and orthopedic services, which we are in full motion moving forward,” she said. “We’re also focusing pretty heavily on behavioral health. As we all know, that’s a rise in concern in communities, and we’re looking at programs and partnerships to help, as well.”

Jacques emphasized that her door at BH is open.

“I want to hear from you. I want to hear feed feedback about your experiences with the hospital, anything that you think might help me on my journey,” she said. “I’m looking forward to being a part of this community.”

Asked whether a previously mentioned facility expansion is still in play, Jacques said it remains “a goal,” but she was unable to elaborate at this time.

“We have the beautiful piece of land on the side of our main hospital, and we’ve looked at ways to expand our services,” she said.

Regarding an apparent “disconnect” between Bridgton Hospital and DFD Russell, which provides primary care, Jacques said she recently met with DFD regarding these “gaps in communication.”

“We’re working on building those relationships,” she said.

“Well, everything you’ve said sounds very encouraging,” Board Chair Carmen Lone said. “Welcome to the community.”

In other meeting news:

Tax mistake. Sometimes, a “cut and paste” is not so clear cut. Denis Berube of John E. O’Donnell & Associates, the town’s Assessor’s Agent, informed the Select Board that a “wrong set of numbers” were pasted into the tax abatement memo that the board signed in August. The previously approved total was $19,838.51. Berube discovered the mistake, and needed the board to sign a corrected record. The corrected tax abatement totals $13,897.37.

Berube noted that the correct abatement figures went out to taxpayers, so only a clerical correction to the official tax record was needed.

Tax due dates. Quarterly real estate taxes are due Aug. 15, Nov. 15, Feb. 15, and May 15.

Comp Plan. How Bridgton’s future is shaped requires local involvement through participation in writing a new Comprehensive Plan. The first step in this process is attending the Comprehensive Plan Project Kick-Off on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Bridgton Town Hall. The event includes a brief presentation followed by an open-house style activity to help you learn why a Comprehensive Plan is important and why you should get involved! Food and beverages will be provided. Children are welcome.

Questions or comments? Visit the new Comprehensive Plan project website (accessible through the Town of Bridgton website) or e-mail Community Development Director Victoria Hill at vhill@bridgtonmaine.org.

Selectman Paul Tworog recently attended a Comp Plan meeting and termed it a “great meeting.” But, he thinks the town should tap social media to drum up more participation. He saw lots of discussion on the Community of Bridgton social media page regarding the recent announcement that 207 Antiques would soon be closing, and thought this might be a good outlet to let people know more about the purpose of the Comp Plan and why they should get involved in the process.

“I’m trying to target a specific group that clearly has a direct interest in the community, but perhaps is a little confused as to how to best express it,” Tworog said.

Hill plans to post notices on social media regarding the Nov. 1 Kick-Off, and include links to surveys and the website.

Town Manager Bob Peabody urged caution regarding town responses to threads posted on social media. “We were always somewhat hesitant to actually comment on threads because you don’t always know where they’re going,” he said. “Particularly in that case (207 Antiques), I did read some of them and some of them were very unflattering to some people in the community on actions that were taken (...the closing is a private matter). So, we generally avoid getting into a thread itself, but we do make use of that page.”

Absentee ballots are available for the Nov. 7, 2023, State of Maine Referendum Election. One can vote absentee at the Town Clerk’s Office, make a telephone request for your own ballot, request your ballot by electronic means through the Secretary of State’s online Absentee Ballot Request Service, or complete a written application. All absentee ballot requests must be received by the Town Clerk by the close of business on Thursday, Nov. 2, unless special circumstances exist. Voted absentee ballots must be received by the Town Clerk by 8 p.m. on Nov. 7.

Dog licenses. Beginning Oct. 15, one can renew your dog license 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 from Oct. 15, 2023 until Jan. 31, 2024. A late fee of $25 per dog will be imposed after Jan. 31, 2024, per state law.

Police beat. Officer Hammond is currently in Week 8 of the 18-week Police Academy.

Officer Deshensky completed a two-week instructor course which will allow him to use his skills as a firearms instructor to help train the department.

Officer Jacob Gormely joins the BPD as a reserve officer. Officer Gormely has been serving as a sworn police officer for the Warden’s Service as their part-time lake deputy. Although he is a certified reserve officer, he will still go through the standard field training program before being able to work independently and cover patrol shifts.

New member. Anne Mann was approved as a Pondicherry Park Committee member.

Resigns. With “gratitude and appreciation,” the Select Board accepted Norman Nicholson’s resignation as an Investment Committee member. Nicholson has served for 20 years, the last 10 as chairman.

“I have been privileged to serve the Town of Bridgton and leave knowing the Committee is in very strong hands. May I also extend my thanks to you (Bob McHatton) and the Select Board whose support over the years has been very much appreciated,” wrote Nicholson.

Selectman McHatton said Nicholson has been an “outstanding committee member” and will be a “great loss for the town.”

“He has guided Bridgton well, and we’ve all benefited from his expertise,” Board Chair Carmen Lone added.

“That committee is awesome. They’ve made this town stable, and better than we could ever dream....He (Norm) was definitely in the forefront, great, great individual,” Selectman Ken Murphy said.

Place to play. Walter “Zach” Horton and his business partner play pool, a lot. They play in a Monday night league and shoot pool at the American Legion in Naples. Since there are no nine-foot tables in the immediate area, Horton decided to open his own pool hall — Players Billiard & Bar, at the site of the former Mac’s Place Restaurant at 244 Portland Road. The space includes four 9-foot tables, along with two TV screens to televise sports events, along with a full-service bar. The plan is to be open Monday through Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, open to midnight. Sunday hours will be 3 to 9 p.m. — but from 3 to 6 p.m., lessons will be given to those interested in learning how to shoot pool.

The Select Board approved a liquor license and special amusement permit by a 5-0 vote.

Lives lost. Selectman Ken Murphy asked for a moment of silence to remember the lives lost in the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel over the weekend.