Windham hopes to trade up to a new South Windham fire station - By Michelle Libby

The South Windham Fire Station has been at 8 Main Street since it was built in 1966 and before that the location has housed a fire station since 1934. However with today’s equipment and needs the existing space isn’t working. 
 

“The biggest challenge is location,” said Fire Chief Brent Libby. “We currently have 3,500 square feet of space.” The need to keep a station in South Windham trumps any other needs, according to Libby.

The current location has been added on to and can’t grow any further due to its location right on the Presumpscot River. Problems begin with the settling of the building, parking is an issue, when trucks pull in or out of the station, and they have to stop traffic to get the truck into the road or to back into the bay, and end with a lack of space for what they need. 

The station is a cooperative one with Gorham and in addition to monetarily sharing a ladder truck, they go on calls together and have since 1934. This past year 391 calls were responded to from that station. North Windham had 827 calls for service and Central Windham has 707. 

The South Windham station also houses Gorham’s engine 1, and unit 8, a response pick up truck, as well as a Hazmat truck. Both towns use the trucks as necessary, according to Libby.

The owner of record of the property at 33 Main Street, MCL Realty LLC, approached the town to see if it wanted to purchase the land and buildings at that location for a new fire station. 

“It wasn’t a priority,” said Libby. Two years ago the town did a building study and last year it did a feasibility study, but Libby said he didn’t see anything happening for a while. 

The space at 33 Main Street has 12,000 square feet in a metal building attached to a small log home. The existing production space is a good fit for making truck bays and other things the firefighters need. The feasibility study said that the existing building can be used as a fire station with some upgrades. There is public water and sewer that the building can connect to and a sprinkler system is already in place. 

Other changes to the building include adding bay doors, and reinforcing the metal because the building is considered critical infrastructure. They will also add showers, a kitchen and bunks. 

The space is better because it is off Route 302 using a shared driveway with other businesses as part of an industrial condominium complex.  There is plenty of space for the ladder truck to get in and out of the building, Libby said. A drive through door system will be added to assist with that. There is also access from the property onto Depot Street. 

“This gives us the flexibility and options if we need more space,” Libby said. Windham also houses three live in college students from the SMCC fire science program, who provide coverage and response. The building wouldn’t be ready for a year. “I think it’s a good opportunity the owner has offered to the town. We can keep the fire station in that neighborhood. It’s the best option to come up with,” Libby said.

The town will need to “authorize the issuance of up to $1,668,000 in general obligation bonds or notes.” This includes the land, building upgrades and improvements. If the town was to build a new fire station in South Windham, if it could even find the land to do this, it would cost at least $2 million. “There’s not a lot of real estate in that village,” Libby said.  

“The cost to acquire the buildings and an interest in the land at 33 Main Street is $700,000. The cost of the renovations, including design/engineering, and contingency, is estimated at $968,000, for a total project cost of $1,668,000,” said Town Manager Tony Plante. The contact for the town has been former town councilor and marketing strategist Peter Anania. The future of the project is in the hands of the voters. “This will meet the needs now and in the future,” said Libby. 

The project will be voted on at a special town meeting immediately following the regular annual town meeting on Saturday, June 13, 2015. The annual town meeting begins at 9:45 a.m. with the election of a moderator and consideration of the annual budget begins at 10 a.m.

Insight - A final in kidness - By Michelle Libby

Last week Windham High School was rocked by the death of a sophomore. The family’s roots run deep in Windham and the outpouring of support and love was palpable at the boy’s funeral on Tuesday. Practices were canceled and games were postponed. Death is never easy and even more difficult is trying to explain it to young children.
 

Looking for ways to cope with the loss is a normal way to deal with the feelings kids and adults have. Some got together with friends, others wrote poems and some turned to religion. 

This week is also finals for graduating seniors at WHS. This is a time for celebration, parties and excitement. Last Friday, on the last day of senior classes is typically the day the senior class pulls a class prank. We’ve all heard the stories of a principal’s car being relocated to the roof of a school, or shrink wrapping all of the classroom furniture in the middle of the room. This year the class of 2015, in honor of their friend and brother of the class of 2015 president, the class chose to “prank” the school with kindness. Little sticky notes were left all over lockers, windows, on desks and in the halls. Each one with a message, “you matter,” “stay strong,” and other positive messages from the class. Even over the weekend, the messages were still hanging in the halls and around the cafeteria. 

I’m not sure whose idea it was to do this, but bravo. Turning what usually is a day that makes adults grit their teeth, into something positive that shows the community and the school that what they preach, what they discuss and what the school strives for is sinking in. It’s teaching our children and students that kindness matters. Future classes have seen your messages and hopefully will find a way to top the “kindness prank” next year, and the year after and the year after. 

Class of 2015, you have made your mark on Windham High School and looking back 20 years from now, I think you’ll like what you see. Congratulations on your graduation, and again, we at The Windham Eagle are sorry for your loss.

Memorial Day festivities and somber remembrances - By Michelle Libby

Memorial Day weekend was kicked off with a 5K and brunch on Saturday hosted by the Windham Veterans Association and ended with a speech by Governor Paul LePage on Monday to recognize Vietnam era Veterans. The ceremony on Monday was put on by the American Legion Field-Allen Post 148. 
 

As a part of the Memorial Day celebrations, the WCA also wrapped up its Toby’s Dream campaign with a huge event Saturday with a 5K race that had 125 runners, and a brunch put on by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 148. In addition there was a silent auction and the raffle of a paddle board donated by the Kittery Trading Post and a sapphire ring donated by Windham Jewelers.   

The event raised over $8,000 and pushed the dream into reality. The total raised was $53,400, but even as Brenda Pennels announced the total, she was given two more donations. 

On Memorial Day, the community turned out for a parade from School Street to Windham High School. The parade featured service men and women from all branches of the service, local legislators, 4-H, Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups. 

At Windham High School, the fallen military were honored in front of the monument recognizing all branches of service. Names of the Veterans who passed away this year were read by master of ceremonies Brenda Pennels as Willie Goodman, head of the VFW, rang the brass bell. Over 800 flags were deemed unserviceable and burned. There was also a 21-gun salute.

At noon, the community was invited to the Veterans Center for a cookout and open house to honor Vietnam Veterans on the 50^th anniversary of the conflict. 

Lee Humiston, the owner and founder of the Maine Military Museum in South Portland, brought a collection of Vietnam era memorabilia to display at the Veterans Center. From helmets to uniforms, model airplanes to newspaper clipping all from the conflict, he said that the collection was very valuable.

“I brought stuff up from Vietnam to get a taste of remembrance from Vietnam” Humiston said. 

The museum is the only one of its kind and has rare artifacts from the Civil War like a 1775 cannonball and a Civil War medal of honor, up through items from Afghanistan and the Gulf War. The museum is all run on donations with no funding from outside organizations. 

Humiston spent 26 years in the military and supports the American Legion whenever he can. “They call, I come,” he said. 

The Legion post honored teacher Sabrina Nickerson as educator of the year. “I want to say a big thank you for all of you who support us. You are a national treasure, you and your families,” she said.

Doug Richards, manager of Hannaford, was also recognized for his support of the Legion. 

Dana Reed prayed over the gathering. “Once again, war painfully taught us the geography of a region with names like Da Nang, Hue, and the Mekong Delta, as a generation raised on rock and roll set aside electric guitars and drum kits to pick up and M16 carbine, fly and F-4 Phantom or to hear the distant approaching saving sound of a Huey.” 

Governor LePage gave a solemn speech. “We must honor those comrades. When you sign up for the military you write a blank check,” he said. “Many of you went to fight the war because you were asked to. When you came home, you were disrespected by the American people. It’s high time we thank you for the service to our country.”  

The following men were honored by the governor: Bill Petty, Carl Hartwell, Charles Hennessey, Charlie Tufts, Dale Meggison, Daniel Boothby, Dennis Marshal, Don Mckenna, Edward Emmons, Edward Robert Lee, Gary Row, Gary Tyron, George Bragg, George Gherardi, Gerald Dube, H. Scott Harrison, Henry Whynot, Herbert Broy, Howard Hanscome, John Hill, John Nason, Ken Murch, Malcolm Lyons, Malcolm Dixen, Marsha Morgan, Martain Traiser, Melvin Greenier, Mitch Kosoff, Peter Hutchinson, Ralph Rao, Richard Sakker, Richard Traiser, Robert Charest, Robert Akins, Rodney Voisine, Roger Timmons, Timothy Politis, Victor Salemme, Wayne Carter and Stanley Burke.