TRANSFER STATION

          The Transfer Station will be CLOSED on Saturday, July 4th for the holiday in order that our employees may spend the day with their families.

          The Transfer Station will be open  on Sunday, July 5th from 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.as usual.

          HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY.

 BEAVERS

            Doing what they do best, beavers had plugged up and blocked up a culvert on 23^rd Street Loop by dropping a tree across the opening so that they could build a dam to produce a pond from the stream.  Heavy and frequent rains have assisted them in their endeavors until the overflow has caused distress to some of the low lying land in close proximity.  If the land were vacant there would not be such an issue but when it is the entrance and exit for a home that is another matter. 

            The Southern District Road Commissioner unblocked the culvert and got the water flowing again.  However, when checking on it the next day he discovered the persistent and industrious beavers had once again stemmed the flow by blocking the culvert again.  Further measures were employed to discourage the beavers’ continued activity.  By putting large screening over the end of the culvert, fish can get through but the beavers cannot get inside to plug the culvert solid as they had been doing. 

STATE VALUATION

            The Maine State Revenue Services has sent the Board of Selectmen a preliminary 2010 state valuation prepared by a field representative of the Property Tax Division.  The valuation represents the full equalized value of all taxable property in the municipality as of April 1, 2008. 

            The State Valuation is compiled by determining, through field work and meetings with local officials, the approximate ratio of full value on which local assessments are made, and by then adjusting the local assessed values in accordance with the Rules of Procedure Used to Develop State Valuation (08-125 Chapter 201).  State Valuation is a mass appraisal estimate of the 100% market value of all taxable property of a municipality and is established annually by the State Tax Assessor.  The report sent to the Town of Shapleigh is comprised of four parts:  The Sales Ratio Analysis, State Valuation Analysis, Report of Assessment Review (a three year comparison) and a Report of Assessment Review, informational review. 

`           The 2008 valuation listed is $529,350,000, 2009 is $522,150,000,000 and proposed for 2010 is $520,600,000.  The changes is reflected from the market indicates that 2008 increased 15.97% in 2008 over the 2007 figure;  2009 increased 1.27% over the 2008 figure; and the proposal for 2010 has decreased by 2.14%. 

            In this downturn economy there is only a minimum number of sales taking place compared to the boom years. 

ZONING VIOLATION

            Property owners of the Isabel V. Callahan Trust have recently been cited by Code Enforcement Officer Steve McDonough for having had several trees removed at the immediate water’s edge of Mousam Lake.  The shore land district property is located at 82 Seventeenth Street and is listed as Tax Map 28 Lot 16 on the Town of Shapleigh Property Maps.

            At the time of the site visit the CEO witnessed approximately 20 – 30 yards of exposed soil 20 to 30 feet from the water’s edge and pallets of retaining wall blocks.  Several fresh stumps were apparent where trees had been removed.  No erosion control methods were in place.

            Town records do not show any of the required State or local permits issued for this activity.  No earthmoving permits had been issued.

            Corrective action required immediately includes the installation of a silt fence and/or hay bales to prevent the possibility of any erosion and sedimentation that may contaminate the water body.  Also all after-the-fact State and local permits that govern the activity must be applied for.

RECREATION COMMITTEE

            The June meeting of the Recreation Committee held at the Town Hall was attended by Stephanie LaCourse, Cindy Labbe, Annette Brown, Judy Kelley and Dave McKechnie.  In a discussion about the recreation fields, Dave indicated that a cause will be determined for the damage to the field and a solution for the problem will be proposed and implemented.  The old goals with the spikes in them will be eliminated with the removal costs billed to the recreation appropriation.  The pee wee goals, although damaged, can be repaired.   The sprinkler on the baseball field near home plate is being worked on.

            Debbi Cadigan and Cindy Labbe will be in charge of soccer again this year.

MONUMENT GROUNDS

            Brightly colored impatiens grace the monument grounds at the Town Hall where the obelisk granite column placed there years ago in honor of all veterans who have served our country stands tall and resolute between the towering evergreen trees.  Planted by Superintendent of Cemeteries Ron Rivard, the garden speaks of life as the plants flourish and grow.  The red blossoms speak of the blood shed on the battle grounds and the white speaks of the memories of veterans.  A gleaming black semicircle defines the garden and forms a backdrop for the flags and their markers which represent all war veterans in addition to those prewar and post war.  It is a place to pause and reflect on the sacrifices which have been made by so many that we might enjoy what freedoms we currently enjoy.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

            Remember summer camp and the fun games, new friends, singing around the campfire and the most important memory, making the life-changing decision to follow Jesus.  Bring your kids and invite their friends to Son Rock Kids Camp at First Baptist Church at 600 Shapleigh Corner Road and give them memories that will last a lifetime.  VBS Camp for children grades 3 – 6 will be held from Monday, July 13 through Friday, July 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. FMI or for registration forms, music, downloads, coloring pages and more see the church website at www.shapleighbaptistchurch.org  or call 636-1662.

ART EXHIBIT

            If you haven’t yet had an opportunity to view the artwork of Robin Cobb, a local artist, do plan to do so.  Currently at the Shapleigh Town Hall, Robin’s work is unique in that it is painted on turkey feathers, a delicate process since it is important to keep the feather intact and not split from the action of the brush and paint.   The paintings are available for purchase and make a very desirable gift. The exhibit may be seen at any time the Town Hall is open: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on the first and last Saturdays of the month (excluding holiday weekends) from 9 am to 12 noon.

SELECTMEN'S WORKSHOP

            The Board of Selectmen will be conducting a workshop on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 6 pm at the Town Hall regarding the public works facility.  Peter Coughlan, PE, Director of the Maine Local Roads Center, Maine Dept. of Transportation, Community Services Division of the Bureau of Transportation System Planning will be meeting with the Selectmen and both the northern and southern district road commissioners .  Coughlin will be providing information and detils about a variety of building types, costs, pros/cons and more for salt/sand storage sheds. The sesssion promises to be very productive.

 REGULAR BOS MEETING

           The regularly scheduled Selectmen's meeting will be held at 7 p.m.on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at the Town Hall immediately following the BOS workshop.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Friday, July 3, 2009 after dark Light Up Mousam Lake

Saturday, July 11, 2009 MLRA Boat Parade

Saturday, July 18, 2009 MLRA Fishing Derby

Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Family Fun Day at Shapleigh Commons.  All events will be free, a gift to the community from the First Baptist Church at Shapleigh Corner.

Saturday, July 25, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Shapleigh Community Day at Shapleigh Commons.  FMI or to volunteer call Carole Collins at 636-2843 ext 407.

Saturday, July 25, 2009 MLRA Annual Meeting 9 am at Acton Fair Grounds

Friday, August 7, 2009 MLRA Golf Tournament