Flip to a Different Eagle Section
Local News - Business - Sports - Entertainment - Lifestyles - Real Estate - Editorial
One step forward, two back for Mallison Falls project - By Walter Lunt
The lengthy process of gaining approvals for the conversion of an old Windham mill site into a 109 unit apartment complex has taken a tentative step forward. The Windham Town Council on Tuesday voted 5 – 1 (Muir; Gleason absent) in favor of a request for the town to apply for a Community Development Block Grant to upgrade utilities and other infrastructure for the project. The $320,000 grant, if approved by the county, would help fund new water, electrical, gas, stormwater controls and sewer lines, and improvements to the road intersection. Included in the request was an intent for the town to include an affordable housing TIF (tax increment financing) that would contribute toward both the redevelopment and for housing rehabilitation in South Windham. It was the TIF portion of the request that gave pause to most councilors, many of whom said they needed more information before going forward.
“I
don’t want to be in a position where we move forward now and figure out the
details (of the TIF) later,” said council chair Donna Chapman. She indicated
support for the redevelopment, but added, “We’re not doing due diligence to the
community by not knowing all the facts.”
Councilman
Dennis Welch said he favored a workshop to work out all the details and the
numbers of a TIF.
Bob
Gaudreau, owner of Hardypond Construction of Portland which is developing the
site, said he agreed. “We need to meet with the council. Our numbers haven’t
changed, and we’ll be there.” He said he views passage of the block grant proposal
as “a positive step.”
Windham
Economic Development head Tom Bartell said that without the TIF portion of the
block grant request, “…the project is dead.”
Hardypond
Construction of Portland proposed last spring to purchase and redevelop the
largely unused 5.2 acre complex on the Presumpscot River into apartments for
seniors and upwardly mobile Millennials. Under the plan, estimated to cost
around $15 million, at least 30 percent of the units would be affordable, that
is, dedicated for low and middle income individuals or families.
Town
officials say they intend to utilize tax increment financing (TIF) to support
not only the redevelopment project, but other housing concerns, such as the
deteriorating conditions in South Windham village.
Bartell
said that a TIF has advantages for both the town and the developer because the
value of the property that is under improvement increases the valuation of the
town proportionately – normally this would result in higher county taxes and
lower state subsidies for schools and revenue sharing. Under a TIF however, the
higher valuation is “sheltered,” and this money can be used to support the TIF
project, as well as capital improvement in the town, in this case
rehabilitation in South Windham village. Also, with a TIF in place, a developer
has more leverage to secure loans related to its project.
Although details have not yet been worked out,
Bartell said that because the TIF would be tied to affordable housing, the
funds must be used to address a local housing issue, so a portion of the
sheltered money might be used to support the redevelopment project while the
rest would be used to help correct blight and neglect in certain parts of South
Windham village, which has long been a concern of residents, the town and
elected officials.
Resident
concerns over the redevelopment project have focused on the developer’s
proposal to turn Mallison Falls Road into a one-way street. Sight distance is
near zero for drivers exiting the mill site as well as for traffic traveling
west down the steep hill. The road is a connector for commuters coming from and
going to Gorham and other towns. As a result, traffic engineers for Hardypond
will now suggest a 4-way stop at the intersection of the mill’s driveway and
Mallison Falls Road, subject to approval by the Windham Town Council.
Two
hurdles that have already been addressed successfully involved zoning and
ground contamination around the site’s main building. Last July, in a unanimous
show of support for redevelopment of the mill site, the Windham Town Council
approved a contract zone for the project, allowing the developer to increase
the number of units to be built from 74 to 109. In addition to increasing
residential density, the council action reduced some setbacks and increased
building height to accommodate two additional buildings that will be
constructed near the old mill. The developer plans 45 units in the
rehabilitated main building and 54 additional units in the two new multi-story
buildings to be built. Ten units are also planned in two existing smaller
buildings on the site.
In
early December Hardypond was awarded funds by the Greater Portland Council of
Governments to correct ground contamination at the mill site, adjacent to the
Presumpscot River. Toxic substances, including arsenic, had been detected in
soils surrounding the main building, which has been used for industrial activity
since the 1700s.The site has served as a saw mill, woolen mill, and housed a
steel products firm and Rich Tool & Die. An environmental assessment of the
grounds classified the contamination as minor, “typical of long-time industrial
sites.”
Frank
Carr, business development director for Hardypond, said clean-up may begin as
early as late spring, pending final approval of its site plan by the Windham
Planning Board.
Carr
said his firm has applied for listing the main mill building on the National
Register of Historic Places. The town’s pre-application for a community
development block grant notes the proposed “new multi-family residential
community (is located) at the heart of South Windham while preserving…an
integral part of the town’s industrial heritage.” Carr also points out that
placement on the National Registry allows for certain federal and state tax
credits for his firm as the redevelopment project proceeds. Carr said his
research on the site’s history revealed the spot as the site of Windham’s first
saw mill and a landing for the “King’s tall pines,” that were floated down the
Presumpscot to be used for masts on
British ships.
Carr
said future plans call for an open complex. A kayak and canoe launch on the
property would be gifted to the town. Historically, the location was known to
the local natives as Nagwamqueeg, meaning canoe
landing.
On
the subject of name changes, all references to the Mallison Falls redevelopment
project are referred to as the Robinson Mill Housing at Mallison Falls. Carr
says the name is historical and refers to the owners of the mill when it was
used to process wool.
Carr
said the latest timetable for the project, pending further hurdles and
approvals, is for construction to begin this summer, completion of the mill
building (45 units) conversion by late fall, and the entire complex ready for
occupancy by the winter of 2017.
Bartell
said a council workshop on the TIF district will probably be held within two to
three weeks. And he urges residents interested in any or all aspects of the
project to monitor the town website for future council meetings and public
hearings.
Plows take a break and save on budgets - By Michelle Libby
In
January, residents expect to see their town trucks with plows keeping the roads
safe and clear, but this year the plow trucks aren’t as busy as in past years,
saving money in the budget and wear and tear on the trucks.
In
Raymond, most of the plowing is contracted out to P&K Sand and Gravel.
P&K plows 40 miles of Raymond’s 50 plus miles of road.
The
town has a $180,000 contract with P&K for winter plowing. Public works
director Nathan White estimates that he spends $40,000 on winter sand, $60,000
on salt and $15,000 on over time and fuel most winters.
“We’d
be happy if it didn’t snow,” White said. With a cold winter, they’re not
heating as much and it helps the whole public works budget.
Although
Raymond doesn’t break out its winter budget from the year long budget, the
amount of supplies and money that will roll into other items is substantial.
White estimates his budget on a winter like last year. When he plans for a
harsh winter, and there is less ice and snow, he is able to have money to even
out the heavy winters that have more overtime or higher fuel costs.
“Fuel
and overtime are the only wildcards. I have to budget every year for fuel,” he
said.
White
runs a staff of four fulltime employees and two additional part-timers in the
summer for grounds and maintenance. When it’s not snowing, the crew works on
maintenance of buildings and equipment, especially summer equipment. They do
some brush cutting and sign repairs. Although the vehicles at public works are
relatively new, the small equipment needs constant repairs. “The town’s been
very generous in the last year or two,” said White.
The
public works crew is also busy with sign maintenance. People keep stealing the
town’s stop and street signs, he said. It cost approximately $100 each to
replace the stolen stop signs.
The
challenges in public works are to “try to get done everything that everyone
wants us to do with the small stuff to keep everybody happy and satisfied,”
White said. “My guys do an outstanding job getting done what has to be done in
a timely manner. We always have work.”
The
trend in public works is to contract out the plowing, said White. Twenty-five
years ago, Raymond contracted out all of the plowing. In 1997, the town started
plowing to keep the staff busy during the winter. They now plow parking lots
and other town sites. RSU14 set the plowing of Jordan-Small Middle School and
Raymond Elementary School out to bid recently.
The
community is very supportive of the work Raymond Public Works does. “They
respect what we do and work with us. People in town are great to work with,”
White said. “My whole staff appreciates the support from the town. I’m happy to
serve the town.”
Raymond
is getting ready to pave roads with a paving bond that was approved by voters.
The paving is subcontracted out with Raymond Public Works doing the ditching
and culverts, according to White. For the last two years the town has been
doing aggressive paving, he added.
“There’s
nothing good about winter as it relates to the roads,” White said, making the need
for road work more pressing.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Flip to a Different Eagle Section
Local News - Business - Sports - Entertainment - Lifestyles - Real Estate - Editorial
Raymond Fire Department readies new truck - By Michelle Libby
Raymond
Fire Department, under the direction of Chief Bruce Tupper, is outfitting the
first new fire truck in many years. The new truck is fresh off the assembly
line with a design created in part by the people who will use the truck the
most, Raymond fire fighters.
When
making a 20-year purchase, the department had to think about what they might
need in the future. “The capabilities of this are great. It seats four, is
comfortable, efficient and engineered for what we do,” Tupper said. “This is the
working man’s truck. It’s not designed to be the parade piece.” It has a
galvanized frame and rails and many of the additions to the truck were with Raymond
in mind. A front suction means that filling the truck with water can be easier
from any of the lakes and ponds in the town by driving straight in and not
having to turn the truck sideways. Its size makes it better to fit down the
many camp roads. The LED lights make everything safer in the long run, and all
of the equipment is on the inside.
Right
now, the truck has many open spaces and compartments, but soon they will hold
the equipment needed to fight fires, respond to accidents and keep Raymond and
beyond safe.
“It’s
tradition,” Tupper said. Small said he wanted to see a bell on the truck, so he
made it happen. Tupper and all the fire fighters are grateful. The bell can be
rung from inside the compartment creating the loud, clear sound reminiscent of
fire trucks from the past.
Tupper
asked his staff to design a fire truck with all of the components they wanted
to see and they came through with a design that is functional, safe and ready
to handle any challenge that Raymond and the surrounding communities have for
it.
The
new truck has a stainless steel body, which won’t have the same problems the
aluminum ones do, like reacting with the road treatments in the winter and
bubbling paint.
The
truck has “tons of room”. It was designed with efficiency in mind. The truck is
taller, but shorter and much more maneuverable than the trucks already in use,
according to Tupper.
The
truck carries compressed air foam and water is pushed out at 1,500 gallons per
minute. The price difference between a 1,250 gallons per minute unit and this
one was not much, Tupper said.
The
fire truck cost $424,999.99 out the door. Tupper was able to get some discounts
through different group buys and a local bond to provide payment up front.
When
making a 20-year purchase, the department had to think about what they might
need in the future. “The capabilities of this are great. It seats four, is
comfortable, efficient and engineered for what we do,” Tupper said. “This is the
working man’s truck. It’s not designed to be the parade piece.” It has a
galvanized frame and rails and many of the additions to the truck were with Raymond
in mind. A front suction means that filling the truck with water can be easier
from any of the lakes and ponds in the town by driving straight in and not
having to turn the truck sideways. Its size makes it better to fit down the
many camp roads. The LED lights make everything safer in the long run, and all
of the equipment is on the inside.
With
ladders and hoses inside the truck, the items take less of a beating by the
elements saving money. The truck also has a back up camera and air bags. The
technology this truck provides helps to keep the fire fighters safe while they
do their job.
Right
now, the truck has many open spaces and compartments, but soon they will hold
the equipment needed to fight fires, respond to accidents and keep Raymond and
beyond safe.
The
crown on the new truck is the $1,800 chrome bell donated by Captain Cliff
Small.
“It’s
tradition,” Tupper said. Small said he wanted to see a bell on the truck, so he
made it happen. Tupper and all the fire fighters are grateful. The bell can be
rung from inside the compartment creating the loud, clear sound reminiscent of
fire trucks from the past.
“It’s
nice, pretty, tradition. It creates a lot of pride within the department,”
Tupper added.
The
truck still has two more months of set up and transfer of equipment before it
will be put into service, Tupper said. For now they are figuring out where to
put equipment and mount it.
In
addition to the new truck, the Raymond Fire-Rescue Association is raising money
to purchase new ice rescue equipment.
LePage holds town hall meeting in Windham - By Michelle Libby
Governor Paul LePage took the stage Tuesday night in a town hall meeting at Windham High School. He addressed the audience first focusing on four areas that concern most Mainers and laying out plans he had to combat the issues in a state of the state-like speech. The first issue was income tax, then energy costs, continuing to reform the welfare system and finally student debt.
“We
compete globally,” LePage said. People and businesses go where they are welcome
and stay where they are wanted, he added. The top 10 states with the strongest
economy do not have income tax and many of those don’t have sales tax. Maine is
not on that list.
He
pointed out that many companies are relocating to Texas because the regulations
are predictable and they “don’t tax people to death.” LePage said his number
one goal is to lower the income tax and get rid of it all together by moving to
a consumption based tax with reductions for youth and those on fixed incomes.
He would like to eliminate the state tax by 2025.
In
the last five years, energy has become his number one issue and Maine is
falling behind. “We have a renewable portfolio of 64 percent which is the
highest in the country,” he said. “We are paying a very high price for that.”
LePage said that legislators have signed $198 million in above market rate
energy contracts to special interests over the last 20 years. “They don’t care
for you. They care for the next election.”
He
spoke about solar energy and wind power, which is better than solar, neither
are more than 25 percent efficient. Hydro power is 90 percent efficient. LePage
said that 10,000 homes in Maine have converted to heat pumps after seeing the
numbers and learning that it’s a highly efficient way to heat homes. He would
like to buy cheaper energy from Canada, and we should fight like crazy to bring
natural gas into Maine.
“Every
dollar we spend on energy we are not spending in wages,” LePage said.
Maine
needs welfare reform, LePage said. Maine is number three for providing welfare
behind Washington DC and Vermont. “I’m fighting for number four,” he said. For
Maine to get to number 25, the midpoint, $6,700 has to be cut to $2,500 in
entitlements per resident.
He
told a story about a woman who was writing to governors to find out which state
could provide her with the best benefits. “I told her ‘ask not what we can do
for you, but what you can do for us’,” he said. He said he had nothing against
someone asking for a hand up when they need it, but he doesn’t want to see able
bodied people working.
Another
issue he talked about was student debt. Where people with advanced degrees pay
$3,000 a month in student loans, this is a problem. He is working with Finance
Authority of Maine (FAME) to lower the cost the debt. One solution would be to
encourage people in science, technology, engineering and math fields to be in
Maine by having half their debt paid off after five years of work and then
after 10 years pay off the rest. To do this, LePage estimated it would cost $10
million dollars put into FAMEs budget. “Everybody is competing for the best
people,” he said. This could make Maine more marketable.
He
is currently asking the legislature to approve a measure that if an employer
pays off student loans for an employee the boss would get a dollar for dollar
return on their taxes. He would also like to see more online education and
better use of technology within the state education system.
Maine
is the oldest state in the union with a median age of 44. Bringing people to
Maine to fill rural industries and bringing back manufacturing would help our
economy.
LePage
took a few detours from his four listed items to talk about making laws and
abiding by them and where money goes, for example, money being reallocated to
“sanctuary cities” where asylum seekers come for the services.
He
only mentioned once the failed impeachment. “Special interest runs the state.
When you fight back they try to impeach me,” he said.
 |
| Click for this weeks flyer |
During
the question and answer portion of the town hall meeting the following topics
were discussed: Drug rehabilitation treatments, how prescription drugs are over
used and over prescribed, National fines put on the state for $29 million
because federal laws are in direct opposition to Maine laws, consolidation from
local control to county control, welfare fraud, gun control, expansion of
heathcare and the moral compass of Maine residents. LePage had answers for all
of them. Not all of his answers were popular with the audience. Dr. Jane
Pringle of Windham, a former representative, asked about the expansion of
Medicaid, which was the only heated conversation of the night with LePage
refusing to hear arguments that expansion is the way to go. “ACA and Medicaid
is going broke,” he said. States that expanded are now deep in the red, he
added.
At
the end of the night, he closed with “I try to be straight forward and tell you
the truth.”
Friday, January 15, 2016
January 15, 2016 - Front Page Stories
Flip to a Different Eagle Section
Local News - Business - Sports - Entertainment - Lifestyles - Real Estate - Editorial
Energetic and talented Windham Middle School students deliver a strong performance - By Walter Lunt
If
you haven’t yet treated yourself to a good show this New Year, plan to the take
the family to see Shrek, the musical
at Windham High School, starting this weekend.
The
classic Disney production, adapted from the Broadway show, is being presented over
the next two weekends by a cast of over 60 talented and enthusiastic sixth
through eighth graders from Windham Middle School.
Shrek
is a musical comedy under the direction of Mary Wassick, who said the selection
of such a challenging musical production was made because the artistic
directors had confidence in the talent and motivation of “these” middle school
students. It is highly entertaining, a seamless theatrical production that is
the result of work by 65 young cast members, stage workers and adult
volunteers. The timeless themes and fervent performances will appeal to
parents, relatives and community members of all ages.
What
begins as a self-serving adventure ends with life lessons about real friendship
and about judging others. Superb vocals (light jazz, soul and classic theater
song), energetic dance (from tap to soft shoe) and bright, eclectic sets
combine to enhance an amusing, thoroughly entertaining story driven by strong
characterization: Brusque but big-hearted Shrek (Lucy Hatch); lovely and hiding
a big secret, Princess Fiona (Chloe Cyr), the boisterous and charming Donkey (Angel
Spiller); and the self-serving and devious Lord Farquaad (Denali Dieumegard).
“I
think people will be surprised …(these kids) are incredibly talented, said
Wassack.
Musical
highlights include the soulful Forever and,
performed in classical theater style, I
Know It’s Today under the musical direction of Suzy Cropper of Main Stage
Academy in Windham. A dynamic dance
number, choreographed by Shelbi Wassack, is The
Story of my Life, which captures the lament of all the lovable but
misunderstood fairy tale creatures.
| |
| Click to see this weeks flyer |
“The
entire show is fun and silly. And will leave you feeling happy.”