Snow blanketed Houlton and extended school vacation for an extra day.
Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission gave the go-ahead to a wind farm project allowing work to begin on the 38-turbine wind farm being constructed by Evergreen Wind Power. Construction was planned at Stetson Mountain on a 4,800 acre site between Danforth and Springfield near route 169 with an estimated cost of $100 million.
A spending freeze for all “non-essential district expenditures went into effect at SAD 29 due to a shortfall at the state level.
Lainey Elizabeth Henderson, born at Houlton Regional Hospital, Jan. 1, 6:30 p.m., was Southern Aroostook’s first baby of 2008.
Houlton’s longtime postmaster, Leigh Cummings, officially retired Jan. 3 after logging 20 years in that position.
Houlton employee benefit packages and the impact of Gov. John Baldacci’s school administration unit consolidation plan were discussed at the town council meeting. Glenn Miller, the union steward of the Houlton Fire Department, addressed proposed cuts to the town of Houlton budget in employee benefits.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) reminded the traveling public that as of Jan. 31, 2008, all adult travelers would be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry.
A special showing of the “History of Houlton” DVD was scheduled for Monday, Jan. 21 at 6 and 7:30 p.m. at Temple Theater. A $1 admission to the show was to benefit the Southern Aroostook Historical and Art Museum of Houlton.
The Million Dollar View Scenic Byway Committee worked with the Northern Maine Development commission (NMDC) and Nancy Montgomery Design, Inc. to develop interpretive panels to be placed at scenic turnouts along Route 1 between Danforth and Orient, designated as the Million Dollar View Scenic Byway. The project involves assembling historical information such as photographs, artifacts, and other archival material that would help tell the story of the Byway communities.
At the Aroostook County board of commissioners organizational meeting at the Houlton Superior Court building, agenda items included electing officers and representatives for Aroostook County and approving the appointment of a chaplain for the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department. The board elected commissioner Paul Adams of Houlton as chair of the board of county commissioners and commissioner Norman Fournier of Wallagrass as the chief local elected official for the Workforce Investment Act. The board also elected commissioner Paul Underwood of Presque Isle as the Maine County Commissioners Association representative and risk pool director, with Adams, Fournier, and county administrator Douglas Beaulieu as alternates. Lastly, the board elected Fournier and Underwood to the Northern Maine Development Commission executive committee.
Mainers had new protections from disconnection of lights and electric heat this winter, said Rep. Patricia Sutherland, D-Chapman and Rep. Richard Cleary, D-Houlton. “Maine winters are too cold, especially up here in the County” said Sutherland. “We want to make sure people have power on these short days in freezing temperatures.”
Talented musicians and singers from throughout Aroostook County performed in the All-Aroostook Music Festival.
Two staff members were hired for a part-time veterans’ clinic at Houlton Regional Hospital. According to Jim Doherty, staff assistant to the center director at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center at Togus, a nurse and a clerk were identified for a one-day-a-week medical clinic.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was an important observance to the Houlton High School civil rights team. The team discussed their projects in honor of the holiday and other future projects to promote equality and diversity in their school and community. The civil rights team mission statement includes creating a “safe, comfortable, and accepting environment” in their school and “promoting equality and tolerance for diversity.”
Daniel Hermann, a fifth-grader at Houlton Southside School, and Cody Woods, an eighth-grader at Houlton High School, both won their respective school-level competitions of the National Geographic Bee sponsored by the National Geographic Society. The two school winners were to continue toward a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. The school-level Bees, at which students answer oral questions on geography, are just the first round in the 20th annual National Geographic Bee.
The Houlton Town Council approved over half the budget line items unanimously with few comments and little discussion before touching on employee benefits. The employee benefits line item was reinstated which the council proposed to remove on Jan. 7. This brought the total to $1,048,317.
The Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department invested in a chaplain to protect officers from the “inside out,” an entirely new position with the department.
The daughter of a Patten couple was selected as the 2007 Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for the 940th Air Refueling Wing here. Air Force Reservist Chief Master Sgt. Jessica F. Palmer, daughter of Carroll and Jackie Palmer, is the logistics plans superintendent for the 940th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 940th Air Refueling Wing.
The Mill Pond School Civil Rights Team in Hodgdon sponsored many activities including a “Kindness Chain” with each classroom documenting each time an act of kindness was performed. Over 400 acts of kindness were documented.
Houlton Southside School and Houlton Junior High School held their spelling bee on Jan. 31. Second place was awarded to Phoenix Crockett and the bee championship was captured by Jordan Russell whose winning word was “lucid.”
The Houlton Humane Society, constantly faced with challenges due to an over-population of feline residents and their day-to-day needs, was faced with a lack of funds. “As of today, we’ve got enough to pay this week’s payroll and the bills that we have on the table, other than the vet bill and that’s it,” explained Houlton Humane Society President Cathy Davis. “It’s all gone.”
The Houlton Police Department installed a tip line in an effort to encourage people to report crimes or suspicious behavior to their local police department without the fear of reprisal. The tip line is a confidential means of passing on information, therefore, no rewards are being offered, the caller’s identity is never known. The number is 694-3545.
The first stage of Aroostook Idol competition began as a fund-raiser for United Way of Aroostook.. Audience members chose three to advance to Idol finals at Caribou: Caleb Richardson of Houlton, Dawson Graham of Weston and Renae Russell of Island Falls.
Two Houlton police officers, Troy Fitzpatrick and Eric Crouse, were promoted to the rank of sergeant. Previous to their promotion, both had served the department in a rotating role as detective.
Houlton town councilors voted to increase the town’s property tax levy. Town Manager Doug Hazlett told councilors that in response to LD1, it was in the town’s best interest to increase the levy in the event that the town’s revenues exceed the limit in which the state formula allows. The proposed increase was set at $2,411,249. Hazlett told councilors that his estimates, compared with what they will actually have at the end of the summer are within close range.
Houlton Town Manager Doug Hazlett announced Bangor Street would get a facelift in the spring. Bangor Street repairs were estimated to cost $3.7 million.
The area saw record snowfalls, freezing rain and rain with the Public Works Department desperately trying to stay ahead of the messy weather. “We’re obviously going through a considerable amount of salt and diesel and overtime and at this point, it’s a wait and see,” he said. “I don’t know what we’re going to do with the snow. We’re running out of places to put it and we’re well over the snow removal budget.”
Top spellers from around the County gathered at Mill Pond School in Hodgdon for the Aroostook County Spelling Bee. After eight rounds of competition, Kent Smith of Presque Isle Middle School won top honors with Erik Ryan of Mill Pond School placing second.
Budget woes were a common theme during the winter; SAD 29 was no exception. At their regular meeting, Assistant Superintendent Dawn Dougan told board members that decreases in Title 1 funds could mean changes would be ahead in that program. Title 1, a federal program, supports the education of disadvantaged students in kindergarten through grade 9 who need extra help to catch up to their grade level. Dougan said SAD 29 has roughly 20 Title 1 students at each grade level.
The Houlton school board members gave initial approval on the pursuit of a grant to build an outdoor education classroom on the Bird Farm. The Bird Farm, a 100-plus acre lot adjacent to the high school, is “a great place to start the outdoor learning process,” said Dan Jacobs who works with the Maine Forest Service.
The 2008 federal budget suggested cutbacks in funding for the nation’s drug task forces, which includes the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA). “Without this money, after Oct. 1, I don’t even know if we’ll have an MDEA,” explained Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin. “If this matter goes through Washington like it’s proposed, I don’t know how we’re going to fund it.”
A Greater Houlton Christian Academy (GHCA) student was named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Jordan McGuire of Linneus, a senior at GHCA, was chosen from thousands of students across the nation whose high PSAT scores earned a place in the scholarship program. Of the 1.4 million entrants, 50,000 with the highest scores, based on their test results for critical reading, mathematics and critical writing skills, qualify for recognition in the program. Of that 50,000, two-thirds (or about 34,000 students) are recognized as commended scholars.
DOT asked drivers to use caution because near-record snowfalls in Aroostook County have snow banks reaching record heights and narrowing area roadways. In fact, snow banks in some areas have significantly narrowed lanes, particularly truck-climbing lanes on some three lane highways in the area, said Maine Department of Transportation officials.
With a 12-1 vote, SAD 70 school board members approved an amended harvest schedule for the Hodgdon district. At their March 10 meeting, the board OK’d one week of fall break, Oct. 6-10, for all students. High school students who would like to work potato harvest could be granted a waiver for up to 10 additional days. SAD 70 had been using a split harvest break system, letting all high school students out for the full three weeks and younger students out for the final week of that break.
Members of Houlton’s planning board and council convened for a joint discussion on their “view of Houlton in five years’ time.” “I feel we’re at the threshold of major economic development. People from all over are beginning to look at Houlton and the rest of Aroostook County as a place to build or expand their business,” said Councilor Paul Romanelli. “We’ve got an opportunity to move Houlton ahead in a major way. Let’s take it.”
The fight against Gov. John Baldacci’s proposed 2008 budget hit close to home for Houlton residents with the proposed closing of the town’s Maine Revenue Service office. The Governor claims that approximately 400,000 in funding could be saved by closing the Houlton office which employs 14 people, and the loss of income to the town.
The Houlton Rotary presented the town council with a $7,000 check for Community Park. Rotary President Dana Delano announced that the town’s Rec Department has become one of the club’s service project recipients after Rec Department Program Coordinator Marie Carmichael approached the Rotary for help in upgrading their 15-year-old park playground.
Hodgdon, SAD 70 school board members unanimously approved adding two student days to the calendar because of school closings due to excessive snowfall. In Houlton, the SAD 29 board also changed a teacher workshop day to a regular student day.
World War II veteran Stanley Miller’s received a military honors funeral 22 years after his death at the request of his son, Bill Scanlon. Scanlon’s father was a decorated hero and was honorably discharged from the military after the war but never received the honor. “Through all these years, it’s a long time to wait,” said Scanlon. “It means a lot to me.” Scanlon said after seeing a story about the Maine Military Funeral Honors Program on television, he was eager to have it done for his father.
In an 88-118 vote, Island Falls decided not to approve an extra $100,000 for the Island Falls fire station project. Previously, voters had OK’d a $200,000 expenditure that would bring all the town’s emergency services under one roof, but, as the project progressed, cost estimates increased over that amount. An addition to the Island Falls Municipal Building, construction would have added four bays, two deep for ambulance and fire department vehicles and equipment; it’s a project that’s been in the works for close to two years. Don Hallett, chair of the town’s board of selectmen, said he felt that current economic conditions factored into the vote.
Rep. Richard Cleary, D-Houlton, testified before the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee against the closing of the Houlton Maine Revenue Services Center.
Houlton Junior High and High School show choirs performed, along with other Aroostook County schools, in the March 11 District Jazz Festival. After last week’s performance, both Houlton groups qualified to advance to the state festival.
Daniel Hermann, the son of Mark and Lisa Hermann, was notified that he was eligible to compete as a semi-finalist in the 2008 Maine Geographic Bee, sponsored by Plum Creek. Hermann, a fifth grader at Houlton Southside School, won the school geography bee. School winners then took a qualifying test which was submitted to the National Geographic Society.
Brittany Landry of Patten, a senior at Katahdin High School, was selected to receive the 2008 Principal’s Award. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association, is given in recognition of a high school senior’s academic achievement and citizenship.
Aroostook County broke the snowfall record with an expensive price tag. The old record of 181 inches set during the winter of 1954-1955, was surpassed and the new season total is 186.3 inches, according to officials at the National Weather Service in Caribou. Records also were set for below normal temperatures, according to NWS officials.
Town councilors heard a report on the status of and future improvement to cable television services during their regular meeting. Gordon Wark, representing Polaris Cable Services, said the company has proposed capital improvements totaling $380,000.
SAD 70 board members faced some tough choices due to rising costs, flat funding from the state and consolidation. According to the budget proposal, local participation — what members towns contribute to the total budget — may be up by $132,000 over last year.
Plans for the development of a North Street Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district gained planning board approval at their March 25 meeting. Code Enforcement Officer Kevin Tingley said the TIF plan was unanimously OK’d by Houlton’s planning board.
A majority of Dyer Brook voters expanded the town’s board of selectmen from three members to five. Officers elected to various town posts include: Hardy, town clerk; Randy Curry, town treasurer; David McLaughlin, 1-year term on the Board of Selectmen; Wade Slauenwhite, 2-year term on the Board of Selectmen and Hazel Beers, a 3-year term on the Board of Selectmen.
In Littleton, the municipal budget was approved as presented at $419,988. Twenty-eight people headed to the polls, electing Barry Campbell and Robert Bartlett to 3-year terms on the Board of Selectmen; Crystal Hagerman and Laurie Bartlett were elected to respective 1-year and 3-year terms on the SAD 29 school board.
At the Mount Chase town meeting all items on the warrant were approved as presented and two new officials were elected: Albert David to a 3-year term on the Board of Selectmen and Cecil Gallagher to a 3-year term on the SAD 25 Board of Directors. And the town honored Mount Chase Fire Chief Craig Hill who helped establish the local fire department and served with it for 30 years.
In Sherman, voters authorized the town to borrow up to $350,000 to fund road improvements. At the polls, voters chosen write-in candidate Frank Vance to fill a 3-year term on the Board of Selectmen; incumbent Jane Marie McNally will fill a 3-year term on the SAD 25 Board of Directors.
At Stacyville, roughly 30 voters supported appropriating funds for a planning grant to look at the possibility of building an 8- to 12-unit, low-income senior citizen housing complex in Stacyville. Town Agent Dixie Sides said voters approved $12,900 for UVEC with a slight change. Instead of those funds coming from this year’s property taxes, voters chose to use money in surplus to support the agency. Incumbent Leon Robinson was elected to a 3-year term on the Board of Selectmen. Chosen to serve on the SAD 25 Board of Directors were Constance Theriault for a 3-year term and Andrea Patterson for a 2-year term.
Oakfield Town Manager Dale Morris said all warrant items passed as presented, putting the municipal budget at just over $440,000. Voters chose several candidates for the Board of Selectmen. Cathy Briggs would fill a 3-year term on that board; Linwood Hersey, a 2-year term and Willis Green, a 1-year term. Brad White was elected to serve a 3-year term on the CSD 9 Board of Directors.
In Amity, Town Manager Margaret Frye said all warrant items were approved as presented with exception of some funding requests made by private agencies. Nominations were taken for a 3-year term on the Board of Selectmen, and Glenn Williams was chosen to fill that vacancy.
Only a handful attended New Limerick’s March 31 town meeting. Town Manager Judy Nightingale said 16 people attended, passing the majority of items on this year’s warrant. The town’s comprehensive plan gained approval as did additional funds for road maintenance and reserves.
Jim Doherty, a Veteran’s Affairs spokesman, announced that Dr. Ron Welch will be serving patients at the part-time Houlton veteran’s clinic scheduled to open in the summer.
The Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce and the town of Houlton “guess the day” contest was extended to April 15 to see when the Hillview Avenue snow dump would finally melt. “We’re doing this for fun. The winter has been long; everybody’s ready for it to be over. Let’s at least take all the grief we’ve had from the snow and have a little fun with it,” said Town Manager Doug Hazlett, “You have to laugh at it, because there’s nothing else you can do about it.”
At the April 7 meeting, SAD 29 board members unanimously re-elected Brian McGuire as chairman of the school board and Glenn Miller as vice-chairman. New school board member Crystal Hagerman, representing Littleton, was welcomed to her first meeting while board members Sandra Wilkins of Monticello and Laurie Bartlett were congratulated on their re-election to the board. The resignation of Lisa Harvey, formerly representing Monticello, was accepted.
A $6.3 million annual budget gained initial approval from SAD 70’s board of directors. The budget total, up roughly $200,000 overall, includes actual increases to member towns of just over $137,000. The budget, described as “bare bones,” factors in a variety of cuts and cut backs, but does not include the staff cuts that were being considered at one point.
Mark B. Jago, headmaster of Greater Houlton Christian Academy, announced the honor parts for the graduating class of 2008. Valedictorian was Jordan I. McGuire, the son of Brent and Shellby McGuire of Linneus.
Maine Public Service and Central Maine Power joined forces in what they called the Maine Power Connection (MPC) project. The project aims to build a physical power connection joining northern Maine to the rest of the state and New England via the 25 mile gap that exists between Houlton and Haynesville. No such connection currently exists; power moving into or out of northern Maine must be routed through eastern Canada.
MAY
On Sunday, May 4, 6-year-old Bradlee Cullins and his family set sail for Disney World in Florida thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine which grants about 70 wishes each year for children with life-threatening illnesses.
Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced more than $1.6 million in grant funding to Maine airports for infrastructure repairs which includes Houlton International Airport to redo the main runway at the airport. The grant awarded $141,538 to the town to fund a new design of the Runway 5-23 reconstruction.
Crews began taking up the hot top on Bangor Street in Houlton in a two-year, $4.8 million project.
Caribou became the headquarters for federal and state agencies providing relief and assistance to those areas ravaged by one of the worst floods to hit northern Maine in recent history. Flooding stretched from Island Falls to Fort Kent and impacted more than 400 homes. The St. John Valley town received the most damage when waters of the Fish River and the St. John overflowed their banks last Wednesday. Town officials said that it was the worst flooding in a century. Other flooding, although minor, was experienced in the Van Buren, Washburn, Ashland, Portage and Island Falls areas.
Jordan McNinch was chosen as the Region 2 Career and Technical Education “Student of the Year” and received his award from Congressman Mike Michaud at Kennebec Valley Community College.
Crews under the supervision of Maine DOT began repaving the northbound on-ramps and off-ramps of exit 264 of I-95 in Sherman.
Marty Bouchard, principal of Houlton High School, announced the honor parts for the Class of 2008. Valedictorian was Jennifer E. Beasley, daughter of Dr. Joe and Susan Beasley. Salutatorian was Casey D. Faulkingham, daughter of Mark and Leanne Faulkingham. Parker D. Brown, son of David Brown and Julie Dunn, was a First Honor Essayist.
The Shiretown Development Corporation voted to have two less members in the future.
Fuel prices and speculation of price gouging were in full view of area residents attempting to cope with the nearly $4 per gallon gas price. Maine’s Attorney General Steve Rowe released a report stating that there was no price gouging taking place. Other local representatives concurred with Rowe’s report, however, they also agreed that the continued rise in fuel costs meant lifestyle changes for most.
The SAD 25 school board passed a $4,549,421 budget for 2008-2009 at their meeting. Superintendent John Doe said this budget total represents a 4 percent increase over last year.
Principal Jonathan Porter at Southern Aroostook Community School announced the Honor Parts for the Class of 2008. Kimberly R. Lyons, valedictorian, is the daughter of Richard and Terri Lyons of Dyer Brook. Kylie Kennedy, salutatorian, is the daughter of Torri Bates of Smyrna Mills, and Craig Kennedy of Merrill. Melanie Forest, first honor essayist, is the daughter of Craig and Cathy Kennedy of Merrill, and James Wilson of Ames, Iowa. Kelly Grant, second honor essayist, is the daughter of Michael and Carilynn Hanson of Crystal.
Principal David Apgar of East Grand High School in Danforth presented the honor parts for the Class of 2008. Valedictorian, Judy Armstrong is the daughter of Paul and Karen Armstrong of Danforth. Salutatorian, Tyler Langill is the son of Kenny and Susan Langill of Danforth. First Honor Essayist, Natasha Garza was a member of the National Honor Society her junior year and senior years. Second Honor Essayist, Jacqueline Dodge is the daughter of Charles and Linda Parker of Danforth and Carl and Lisa Dodge of Cary.
SAD 29 voters were asked to approve an $11 million budget for the 2008-2009. Superintendent Steve Fitzpatrick said the proposed budget went down $2,337.
A majority of the roughly 30 people from Smyrna and Merrill attended a May 20 hearing and expressed interest in seeing the vacant Smyrna Mills United Methodist Church building come under town ownership.
Principal Clark O. Rafford announced the honor parts for Hodgdon High School class of 2008. They are: Valedictorian, Shannon H. Martin; Salutatorian, Alexander G. Harris; First Honor Essayist, Kaitlin A. Russell, Second Honor Essayist, Taylor J. Quint; and Third Honor Essayist, Ashley M. Levesque.
Renovations at Houlton’s Superior Courthouse officially began with a ceremony officiated by Chief Justice Leigh Saufley. The $2.5 million project, authorized by the state legislature, aims to offer “improved public space and accommodations throughout the building” with the creation of a second courtroom and judges’ chambers, as well as, a consolidated clerk’s office to be located on the second floor of the building. Other improvements and upgrades scheduled include the installation of a new elevator and work to make the building more handicapped-accessible.
Houlton Councilors Walter Goodrich, Sue Tortello, Paul Cleary and Nancy Ketch met with Town Manager Doug Hazlett for an organized work session on possible rules of order for town meetings. Concerns had been raised over “unruly” public commentators and some councilors felt something needed to be added to the Citizen Participation portion of the town’s charter.
Liz Gartley, a Houlton native and former Pioneer Times writer, headed to Samoa, an island halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, next week for the start of a 2-year mission with the Peace Corps.
A service marking the 57th Annual observance of the National Day of Prayer with the theme, ‘Prayer! America’s Strength and Shield’, was held at the Salvation Army facility on May 1.
An “Act To Allow Community Service in Lieu of Fines” reached its final legislative hurdle and received the governor’s signature for final approval. Advocates say this law, which was sponsored by Rep. Richard Cleary D-Houlton, will benefit the courts, jail systems and the public.
