Editor’s note: The following is a look back at news events from the first six months of 2009 covering January to June. The second installment will appear in next week’s edition.
The Border Patrol’s Director of Air and Marine Operations for Houlton, Richard Stairs, was welcomed home after his third tour in Iraq. A combined escort of five cars from the Houlton Police Department and Border Patrol rolled into McDonald’s parking lot to greet Stairs, who had been working in Iraq as a senior pilot flying a Blackhawk helicopter for medical evacuations in Baghdad South.
The Zoning Board of Appeals granted an exception request for Brown Development to build a storage garage with outside storage in a B-1 Zone. James Brown said he intended to build a 64-foot by 100-foot storage area and garage to store and repair equipment related to his construction company. Brown also explained that he planned to upgrade the existing building, formerly the Mitchell Shop, with new siding, doors, windows, floor, roof and renewed electric.
Gordon Wark, president of NEPSK, Inc., which owns Polaris Cable and WAGM TV (channel 8), spoke to the Houlton Town Council about the fiber-optic upgrade to the system, which was to be completed during February. Additionally, Wark said a rate increase was forthcoming and was due to increased programming costs. Polaris reamined the least expensive cable service in the state and the only one with a senior citizen discount. Among the new rates were the Polaris basic full cable package going up Feb. 1 by $2.50 to $47.85.
Houlton High School freshman, Cody Woods, son of Dr. and Mrs. Karl Woods was accepted into the People to People Presidential Inauguration program. Woods joined a select group of returning People to People travelers from around the world to celebrate this monumental event in Washington, D.C.
The Houlton Town Council unanimously adopted an $8,515,259 budget after a public hearing. There were no surprises since the council and the Board of Budget Review (BBR) had been discussing and working on the numbers since November. The final vote on the budget (which was $14,000 less than the final recommendation of the BBR) was 6–0. The 2009 budget was $79,862 higher than the 2008 budget primarily due to higher fuel costs and costs from the SAD school budget.
The managers at Walmart were good sports when they agreed to support their December fund-raising project for the Children’s Miracle Network. Sales associate Cherie Market organized the event and managers John Billings, Skip Keegan, Travis Benson, Mike Bragg, Danette Barrows and Hope Gagnon participated. Employees and customers dropped extra change into each manager’s donation jar, with the manager receiving the most money agreeing to kiss a pig.
Gov. John E. Baldacci joined a celebration in Danforth to mark the official startup of New England’s largest commercial wind operation at Stetson Mountain. The construction and related business around this project was responsible for 350 jobs and $50 million to the Maine economy.
The town of Littleton hired Courtney Toby as its new town manager to take the place of Jennifer Gogan who left the position after 15 years. Toby has been an assistant to Gogan for nine years.
Patten lost a treasured landmark when fire destroyed the 104-year-old former Patten Primary School on Main Street. Fire Chief Greg Forsythe said he lacked enough manpower to fight the fire and the two-story building was too far gone when crews arrived.
With the exception of SAD 25 and Moro Plantation, voters in Aroostook County defeated plans for school consolidation. Any district not having a plan in place to meet the Jan. 30 deadline faced penalties as the issue of school reorganization continued to dog districts struggling to find solutions to a state mandate.
The fifth season of Aroostook Idol kicked off at Houlton High School. Response was so great that organizers had to hold private auditions to determine which contestants would make it to the competition. Strong vocal performances propelled three Houlton-area contenders to coveted finalist positions for Aroostook Idol. Houlton’s Caleb Richardson, Weston’s Dawson Graham and Island Falls’ Renae Russell were chosen to advance in the competition.
Ryder Graham and his brother, Hunter, the sons of Brad and Lynn Graham were busy raising money for the Houlton Humane Society. With their parents’ support at Graham’s Redemption Center, they raised $140.
The fifth annual ice fishing derby attracted nearly 200 participants, while others viewed the snowsled parade through Houlton streets as part of the Moosestompers weekend. A variety of activities were held in Community Park, with the highlight being a popular Lazer Tag game at Alumni Gym and the Rick Charette Concert.
The independent wind-power company, First Wind, which was in the process of developing a potential 55.5-megawatt project near the town of Oakfield, opened an office at 60A Ridge Road in Oakfield. The project would produce enough energy to power more than 20,000 homes with clean energy produced by wind turbines. Oakfield Town Manager Dale Morris said although various options were still being sorted out, the town expected to see “about $500,000 per year in tax revenue that will go to roads, town buildings and town equipment.”
Katahdin Forest Products, parent company of Katahdin Cedar Log Homes, based in Oakfield, announced it had completed the purchase of SWP Industries’ Ashland sawmill for an undisclosed amount. At a time when other mills in the area have been forced by the state of the economy to reduce work schedules or shut down operation indefinitely, word of the purchase was met with enthusiasm.
Although weather had moderated, snow was still impeding timely delivery of mail. That’s why Postmaster Fred Workman was strongly urging residents to use temporary mailboxes. Workman said rural areas served by carriers in trucks are the worst hit by weather conditions because plows knock down mailboxes. Snow banks, in addition to snow buildup on the roads, make it difficult to reach the mailboxes left standing and could lead to suspension of mail delivery.
An ordinance allowing the town to borrow $1 million to improve and maintain sidewalks and roads, passed unanimously by the Houlton Town Council. However, voters were to have the final word on March 24 when residents went to the polls. Without that approval, the ordinance could not take effect.
A small ceremony was held at the home of Clara Campbell Hathaway of Island Falls. Representatives of the town of Island Falls and the Island Falls Historical Society awarded the Boston Post Cane to Hathaway in recognition and honor of her being the oldest citizen of the town at age 102. Lewis Conrad, head selectman for Island Falls presented the cane, along with a certificate of honor.
The Houlton Town Council met briefly in a special noon session to approve a grant between Houlton and the Federal Aviation Administration to rehabilitate Runway 5-23 at Houlton International Airport. By approving the grant, the town authorized the town manager to execute all documents pertaining to the agreement. The $5,130,000 agreement required some matching funds from Houlton and the state. Ninety-five percent of the total is federal money. The remaining 5 percent is equally divided between Houlton and the state.
Nearly $400,000 in unpaid Medicaid reimbursements dating back as far as 2004 was what Houlton Regional Hospital hoped to recoup from federal stimulus money according to Tom Moakler, the hospital’s CEO.
The Houlton branch of the American Association of University Women was celebrating 80 years of activity in the community. Although there were only 13 active members, the group once had as many as 50 in their organization.
The first announcement of help for displaced workers who were to be laid off at the Louisiana-Pacific mill in New Limerick as a result of increased imports and foreign competition brought good news for 39 men and women who will be eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).
Citing economic and environmental benefits to the area, the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission in a 5–0 vote approved First Wind’s proposed expansion for its Stetson Wind project outside of Danforth in Washington County. The endorsement allowed First Wind of Massachusetts to build in T8 R4 on Owl and Jimmey mountains north of Route 169.
The Aroostook General Hospital Alumni decided to end its organization after 86 years of activity. The group met for the last time in December with just six active members and eight associate members. It was decided at that time to donate the alumni history to the Cary Library in Houlton.
The Houlton Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual dinner meeting and awards night at the Houlton Lodge of Elks. The event began with a social hour, followed by dinner catered by Anne Callnan and Jane Torres, an awards program and an auction of donated items led by incoming Chamber President, Kent Good. Leigh Cummings, Jr. was honored with the Community Spirit Award. Cummings recently retired after 22 years as Houlton’s Postmaster. The Community Service Award went to the Houlton Lodge of Elks. Receiving the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award was Michael A. Clark. He is the third recipient of this coveted award. The prior honorees were Robert Anderson and Frank Dunn. York’s of Houlton was selected for Business of the Year award.
The State Education Department approved an alternative school plan for SAD 29 which meant the district avoided a $195,000 penalty. Superintendent Steve Fitzpatrick who got the good news in writing on Monday said the state was working out possible benefits from federal stimulus money in addition to reinstating about $71,000 in future state subsidies targeted by the consolidation law for non-instructional areas.
A decades-long tradition of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and all things Irish with a good meal, prizes and music in a fun-filled atmosphere was set for March 14, at St. Mary’s church on Military Street. The annual fund-raiser for the church’s community ministries was known for excellent cuisine and Betty Childers will be among the volunteers serving supper.
The district vocal jazz festival was held at Houlton High School. School musical groups from New Sweden, Caribou, Easton and Presque Isle competed with Houlton junior and senior high groups. The following schools qualified to advance to the state competition to be held in Houlton in April; the Caribou Middle School Show Choir, Union 122 show choir, Presque Isle High School Jazz Choir and both Houlton Junior and Senior High School Show Choirs.
Organic farmers in Aroostook and Washington counties were among the latest to feel the brunt of an unrelenting downturn in the current troubled economy. H.P. Hood, one of the largest dairy operators in the United States with more than $2 billion in yearly sales, notified eight farmers in northern Maine that Hood is canceling their contracts for certified organic milk. Other Maine farmers supplying the brand are being asked to cut back production.
About 150 people turned out for Patten Playground’s Winter Carnival, which had to be rescheduled due to bad weather. Families enjoyed taste testing and voting for their favorite chili, along with hot dogs, potatoes baked over an open fire and s’mores cooked to perfection over a bonfire. They also ice skated, rode in a homemade dogsled behind a snowmobile, slid down “Little Katahdin” hill on anything that would go, participated in snowshoe races and enjoyed visiting family and friends under the lights.
Crossing the border to Canada became more difficult thanks to federal travel requirements. The current use of a photo I.D. and a birth certificate for land border crossing was no longer acceptable starting June 1. With anywhere from 3,500 to 5,000 different types of U.S. birth certificates, the government does not consider them secure documents since they are vulnerable to tampering.
The Houlton High School Division II Show Choir finished second in The Maine Music Educators Association’s State Vocal Jazz Festival for both jazz and show choirs. HHS hosted the competition.
The Southern Aroostook Trade Show held at the John Millar Civic Center was a huge success as a record crowd of more than 1,700 filed through the civic center to visit the expanded show. With a record number of exhibitors, there was something for everyone.
After nearly a half-century, Yorks Dairy Bar announced it was closing its doors for good. The late Hope York, wife of Gerard York and mother to Nancy, Dick, Gerry and Dawn started the business in 1960 as a dairy bar.
Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley along with regional judges, state legislators, county and local officials dedicated the newly modernized Houlton Courthouse following a $2.5 million renovation that took place over the last year.
Members of the United States Potato Board (USPB) elected Maine chip stock grower Tom Qualey from Sherman as its chairman — an honor last bestowed upon a Mainer more than two decades ago.
Tim Hortons, located at 290 North St. in Houlton, underwent a change in ownership as Scottie and Brenda Bragdon, owners of three other Tim Horton facilities in Aroostook, including two in Presque Isle and one in Caribou, took over the Houlton store. The Houlton branch has been serving the community for more than five years.
After months of layoffs, early closings, and reduced hours due to lack of work, the Houlton office of national news clipping service, BurrellesLuce, announced it was closing its doors in June. The move left 30 employees out of work.
The Maine Visitor Information Center on the Ludlow Road was not in danger of closing, according to Vaughn Stinson, chief executive officer of the Maine Tourism Association and by Mark Latti, public information officer for the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) that owns the property.
Houlton Regional Hospital was keeping in contact with state and local agencies and staying up-to-date with the H1N1 flu outbreak. HRH had a plan in place to address flu pandemics and was taking steps to prepare for and minimize the impact of potential H1N1 flu in our local area. As of May, there were no confirmed cases in Aroostook County.
Approximately 145 students and 19 chaperones from Houlton High School were on their way to New York City. This trip had been in limbo since the Swine flu scare. After a lot of research, meetings and phone calls Superintendent Steve Fitzpatrick announced that the trip would take place.
Staff Sergeant Joseph J. Schools of Houlton was named the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for the Maine Army National Guard. Schools is a distinguished member of the 488th Military Police company in Houlton.
Michelle Elizabeth Varney, the daughter of Michael and Debbie Varney of Houlton, was named valedictorian of the Class of 2009 at a commencement ceremony at Husson University in Bangor. Varney, was also valedictorian of her 2005 graduating class at Houlton High School. She earned a perfect cumulative 4.0 grade point average at Husson receiving her bachelor’s of science degree in kinesiology with a minor in psychology.
The first steps in planning the future of the Gentle Memorial Building — Houlton’s “Rec Center” — began with six residents joining the committee out of about 15 who attended the meeting. In addition to Brian Donnelly, Sue Tortello and Paul Cleary, all town councilors, other residents — Jim Berry, Clyde Warman and Ben Drew — agreed to tackle the issue of renovating the current building or raising money to construct a new facility.
Houlton Regional Hospital was set to spend nearly $3 million funded through a 30-year bond to renovate the facility for improved patient access, better infection control and protection of patient privacy. Thanks to cost-saving measures and staff input over a three-year strategic planning process, the project was to be completed by February 2010.
Family, faculty and friends greeted the 16 Greater Houlton Christian Academy students at their May 28 graduation at the Houlton Wesleyan Church.
After years of planning, hundreds of hours of meetings and thousands of dollars in donations, the work of the Houlton Community Arts Center Council and the SAD 29 school board, administration and staff was finally coming together to kick off a major change at Houlton High School. Major improvements in the auditorium at the high school had already taken place. The seats that have been there since 1965, many of them damaged with overuse, were being removed and the metal recycled. Stage curtains were sent away for cleaning and repair and the thousands of dollars in lighting and sound were stored away awaiting the newly renovated auditorium. Junior and senior high music students were working diligently to move music libraries, instruments, stage-related items and lots of theater sets that have been collected and used over the years.
Parents, family, teachers and friends nearly filled Hodgdon High School’s gym to its 900-seat capacity to see 44 students march in their royal blue and white caps and gowns for commencement. At Houlton High School, 94 seniors participated in the 110th Houlton High School graduation ceremony. While at Katahin High School, 40 young men and women received their diplomas.
CSD 9 Superintendent Terry Comeau said residents had passed CSD 9’s $4.6 million school budget in with a vote of 89-50. SAD 70’s $6.3 million school budget passed by a vote of 74-14. The budget was $150,000 lower than last year’s – a modest savings to taxpayers. District 70 faced an $88,000 fine, while CSD 9 was looking at a $69,000 fine as the part of the two district’s failure to consolidate, per state law.
In SAD 29, voters rejected the school budget 80-71.
Twenty-six residents graduated from Houlton’s first Citizen’s Police Academy, which aimed to foster better relations between the department and the community. The first graduating class included Krista Crouse, Sue Tortello, Leona Joseph, Coral Botting, Amanda Boulier, Chad Thompson, Fred Workman, Darryl White, Alex Hutchinson, Dave Harbison, Logan Quint, Leigh Cummings, Virginia Marvel, Bruce Tilton, Jacqueline Junkins, Gloria Jacobs, Susan Carmichael, Merle Botting, John Sanders, Jonathan Pierce, Eric Lincoln, James Logue, Dustin Murchie and Edward Sullivan.
Bridgewater Grammar School students walked out of the 60-year-old building for the final time. In 2008, residents decided by a vote of 232-108 to close the school June 30, 2009. The school will become the town’s building July 1.
Officer Randall Wilson joined the Houlton Police Department. A former Marine, Wilson was a resident of Norlina, N.C. where he was employed for six years as a deputy sheriff with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office in Warrenton.
Mark Jago, head of school at Greater Houlton Christian Academy (GHCA), announced his retirement. With nearly 30 years’ of Christian education and administration, along with the startup of two Christian schools, Jago felt it time to pursue other avenues of ministry.
