Bridgton Select Board short takes:

Open Space Plan okayed. After months of surveying public opinion (over 600 people replied) and committee discussions, the Bridgton Select Board accepted the Open Space Plan.

“What precisely does it mean we accept Open Space Plan?” Selectman Paul Tworog asked.

Community Development Director Tori Hill said an approved Open Space Plan can be used as a “guide” as the town looks to update its Comprehensive Plan.

Tworog clarified that the plan is merely “recommendations.”

“Specific decisions will be made as we go along,” he said.

While the plan offers a wide range of potential uses for open space in Bridgton, nothing is etched in stone.

“Specific things came from public comments; not things going to act upon necessarily,” Hill said.

“Just because something is mentioned, it’s not necessarily given the green light or moved to the top of the priority list,” Tworog added.

Selectman Bob McHatton felt what is important is the existence of a plan. “It plans, it’s advisory,” McHatton said.

Matt Markot, executive director of Loon Echo Land Trust, said the Open Space Plan represents “a lot of work” and he’s “happy what’s been produced” and “looks forward to implementation.”

Citizen Joe Gallinari wanted to make “crystal clear” that the Open Space Plan targets town-owned land, not private property.

“We’re not going to take anyone’s land,” Select Board Chair Carmen Lone noted. “We might be looking for partnerships with private property owners, but the focus is on town-owned properties. There may be property we may want to purchase or acquire, or enter into cooperative easements.”

Selectman Ken Murphy felt the committee “put a good plan together” and it is intended not to be “concrete” but something that can be changed or tweaked.

Planning Board Chair Deb Brusini noted that Page 24 contains a “score card,” which can be used to grade new items as they come forward.

“If one checks 80% of the boxes, it might be something pursued,” she said.

The Select Board accepted the Open Space Plan by a 5-0 vote.

The next step, Hill said, will be to create a committee (consisting between three to seven people) at the first or second board meeting in September, at the earliest. The Select Board will develop a mission charge for the committee.

“Relevant, useful information will be used in the Comprehensive Plan,” Hill said.

Tworog could foresee the committee’s prime objectives being identifying “what needs to be done sooner vs. later,” and how the Open Space Plan fits with Comprehensive Plan Committee.

“It’s up to the Select Board to look through plan, and decide what actions are most urgent,” he said. “We’ll have a better idea of a focus for the committee and what for them to act on.”

Lone applauded the group’s work in creating a user-friendly document.

“Most documents come across our table so wordy it takes several readings; this is a good plan,” she said.

Proper agenda protocol? A few weeks ago, the town had to act quickly to get in the running for state grant money that if landed could be used to make needed improvements at the Moose Pond boat launch.

So, the proposal was added late to the Select Board’s agenda.

And ultimately, the grant proposal was approved.

However, Select Board member Paul Tworog noted that past practice — an unwritten rule followed by a previous board — was if an item involving funds was not on the agenda, the board did not take up an official vote at that meeting — moving it to the next agenda.

Tworog proposed no vote be taken on items not on the agenda  unless the board “unanimously” agrees to do so.

“If it is money or legal action, I’d be the person to never agree to vote on it,” he said.

Tworog noted that town officials had been working on the boat launch grant proposal since early April, and brought the matter before the Select Board 3 days before it was due.

Chair Carmen Lone noted “it is important to make clear to town staff or anyone else to bring things to us in a timely fashion if at all possible,” but added, she would hate to see the town miss an opportunity due to the proposed restrictive policy.

Town Manager Bob Peabody said the board already has the right to put forth a motion to amend the agenda. He also pointed out, “I am not aware of any instance that a super majority is required regarding procedural matters; it’s majority not super majority.”

Lone added, “Years ago, we tried to train town staff bring items two months in advance to put on the ballot for voting, but every year, we waive that consideration. I think it is dangerous to restrict that stuff. It happened once in the last couple of years. If something brought to us and board chooses not to review, we can do that.”

In general, Selectman Bob McHatton said he finds that the staff and town manager provide the Select Board, in a timely fashion, needed material to make a decision 99% time, and he didn’t feel a policy change was needed due to one instance.

Select Board member Carrye Castleman-Ross agreed. “We can pull off the agenda and pump the brakes a little bit,” she said.

“The message is loud and clear; everything is fine the way it is,” Selectman Ken Murphy said.

“I am not in favor of a semi-rigid policy that hinders the Select Board from doing its job,” Lone said. “The opportunity to remove an item from the agenda or move to the next agenda for consideration, we have that ability.”

Tworog proposal failed due to a lack of a second.

Personnel moves. Bridgton’s new Assistant Community Development Director is Hailey Richardson, who brings experience from a nonprofit and grant writing.  

Ashley Albrecht, deputy town clerk, has resigned.

Harvest Moon Fest returns on Saturday, Sept. 16 (rain date Sept. 17) from 2 to 10 p.m. on Depot Street.

“It will look a lot like last year,” organizer Pam Ward said.

Ward

Kids activities will be from 2 to 6 p.m., and there will be music and food trucks staying on to 10 p.m. The beer garden will be open from start to finish.

“There will be community events, non-profits, two live Mermaids with 15-foot clam shells, local bands like Bold Riley, dancers and singers,” Ward said. “We’ve had strong sponsorships. I am so impressed how the town is jumping on board. There is no hesitation this year. Most everyone is coming back.”

Rec Department donation. When Bridgton hosted a state softball tournament, Rec Director Gary Colello was approached by long-time softball coach and supporter Andy Clark, whose two daughters participated in the rec program and later went on to be starting Lake Region varsity pitchers.

Andy and his wife, Lisa, made a $1,000 donation to help the town complete construction of the BRAG Complex snack shack.

The Select Board formally accepted the donation.