NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

            National Volunteer Week, Celebrating People in Action, is a time of celebration and inspiration as Points of Light Institute and HandsOn Network honor the thousands of individuals who take action year round to strengthen their communities.

            Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week has grown exponentially in scope each year, recognizing the incalculable contributions that volunteers make every day across the country and challenging all Americans to step forward to help wherever there is need. 

National Volunteer Week takes place during the week of April 18 through April 24, 2010.  Outstanding volunteers can be nominated for one of these two awards: 

• The Daily Point of Light Award honors those who are helping to meet critical needs in their communities and creating change every day.  One Daily Point of Light Award winner is chosen every single day during National Volunteer Week.  Visit www.pointsoflight.org/recognition/dpol to learn more about the award and to make a nomination.
• The President’s Volunteer Service Award honors volunteers during their service journey through acknowledgement of hours served resulting in positive community impact.  This is a prestigious volunteer award and the only one associated with the White House.  Visit the website listed above to learn more about qualifications and to submit a nomination.

The Extra Mile is a monument in the heart of Washington, D.C. representing citizens who championed causes to help others realize a better America.  During National Volunteer Week, Points of Light Institute will induct new service heroes into The Extra Mile and host a special luncheon ceremony in their honor.  2009 inductees included

• Clifford Beers – Founder, Modern Health Movement
• Rachel Carson – Environmentalist
• John Muir – Conservationist
• Samuel Gompers – Founder, Americana Federation of Labor
• Robert Smith/William Wilson – Co-Founders, Alcoholics Anonymous

Points of Light Institute will shine a spotlight on recipients of these signature recognition programs during National Volunteer Week, recognizing them for their extraordinary service and inspiring others to embrace civic engagement at deeper levels.

SHAPLEIGH VOLUNTEERS

            Here in Shapleigh there are many positions which are filled by individuals who want to give back to the community where they live, to serve in life-saving capacities, such as Rescue, Fire and EMA personnel.  Others serve as Trustees of the Community Forest and the Community Library.  Also there are those who serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Board of Assessment Review, Planning Board, Recreation Committee, Budget Committee, Community Day Committee, Superintendent of Cemeteries, RSU#57 School Board, Conservation Committee, the Fair Hearing Authority, and Shapleigh representative to the Saco River Corridor Commission.

            All of these volunteers are vitally important to the official functioning of the Town of Shapleigh and are to be commended for their tireless energy and commitment to Shapleigh and its citizens.   The Board of Selectmen applauds you, one and all.

LATE FEE INCREASED BY LEGISLATURE

          Town Clerk Joanne Rankin has just received a notice from Animal Welfare regarding LD 1587 which states: "An owner or keeper required to license a dog under section 3922, subsection 1 or section 3923C, subsection 1 and applying for a license for that dog after January 31st shall pay to the Municipal clerk a late fee of $25 in addition to the annual license fee paid."

The previous late fee was $15.00 but as a result of this Emergency Legislation signed by the Governor on March 25th, the town will be required to begin charging the $25 immediately.

ASSESSING 

            Persons who have obtained building permits within the past year can expect a visit from a field representative of John E. O’Donnell & Associates during the month of April and/or May.  It is that time of year when any new construction needs to be measured and listed so that values can be placed on the property.  These figures are necessary for calculating the overall taxable valuation when it becomes time to determine the tax rate.  In addition, the municipal budget voted on at the annual town meeting, the school budget which is to be voted on in June at the same time as the June primary, and the bill for Shapleigh’s share of the York County budget must all be known before the rate can be determined.

            Please extend every courtesy to the field worker who will be carrying a letter of introduction on Town of Shapleigh letterhead from Selectman/Assessor Ruth S. Ham which you may see if you have any questions as to the authenticity of the individual at your door.  Otherwise, you may call 636-2843 ext 401 or 406 if you would prefer to talk to Karla or Ruth at the Town Hall.  He will also be carrying property cards and/or building permits.

TAX-ACQUIRED PROPERTIES

            Several properties that had been acquired by the Town of Shapleigh through the expiration of liens for non-payment of taxes have been quit-claimed back to the previous owners.  Prior to that happening the property owners had been notified by 30 day notices that the lien would be maturing so they would have time to pay the 2007 lien off before the deadline.   At that point they would be paying only one year’s taxes, interest and costs.  However, when the lien ripens it is a different matter since the property then comes under the ownership of the Town of Shapleigh by virtue of the matured lien. 

            The Town of Shapleigh has a policy which permits the Selectmen to offer the property back to the previous owners but in this instance three years taxes, interest and costs are required to be paid by March 31 so the quit-claim deed can be recorded at the York County Registry of Deeds before April 1, the date the State of Maine officially determines property ownership for taxation purposes.  Payment must be by bank check, certified check, or cash not personal checks at that time.  

            The Bicknell property at 965 Shapleigh Corner Road; the Hogan property at 60 17th Street, Mousam Lake; and two Perron properties at 9 and 10 Duckling Drive, Granny Kent Pond,  were repurchased by the previous owners.  Had they not done so, the properties would have ended up being offered at public auction.  All these properties will receive 2010 tax bills since as of April 1 the property was back in their names.

DEPUTIES APPOINTED

            Town Treasurer Michelle Rumney has informed the Board of Selectmen of her choice for Deputy Treasurers.  Joanne Rankin will accept lien payments and Cheri Smith will be available to process payables and make bank deposits in Rumney’s absence.

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT

            Shapleigh’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Bob Abbott, at a Selectmen’s meeting, spoke to the Board of Selectmen recently regarding the Incident Management Agreement with the County of York.  The County will provide assistance to the Town in the form of qualified incident management personnel as needed to manage large scale incidents.  The smaller size daily incidents will be managed locally by Shapleigh’s EMA Director.

            During the recent heavy downpours and high winds EMA Director Abbott made frequent rounds throughout Shapleigh checking on areas that are prone to flooding or other problems and reported his findings to the Selectmen so they could be kept apprised of the safety of Shapleigh’s citizens. 

MURRAY ROAD

Murray Road had to be closed eventually by Road Commissioner Richard Goodwin Sr. because a washout became repetitive as the result of the recurring deluge of rain which seemed never to end. It is the intent of the road commissioner to put in a large culvert to remedy the situation but because of some new rules regarding the installation of first-time culverts at “new crossings”, the Dept. of Environmental Protection will need to inspect the area and determine what steps the Town must take prior to installing a culvert.  The new regulations require municipalities to achieve natural stream flow when they are repairing or maintaining roads or stream crossings”.   

For all other culvert repair and maintenance work, the DEP will start the rulemaking process over again in order to give concerned parties, including municipalities, an opportunity to provide more input on the rule and propose further changes.  The rule will be brought back to the 125^th Legislature next January.

The need for the culvert bill is often described as the need for better “fish passage”.  The goal is to allow fish to pass through the culvert and propagate throughout their natural habitat.

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

            A change has been made by the legislature in the amount of the Homestead Exemption for the year 2010.  Previously $13,000, the new exemption for the current year is $10,000.   The State of Maine will be reimbursing the Town of Shapleigh for 50% of the amount of the exemption granted.  The Town has 729 homestead exemptions for resident homeowners for the current year.

NEW ART WORK

            Robin Cobb, Shapleigh’s Art Coordinator, has recently added several more of her paintings to the exhibit currently being shown at the Shapleigh Town Hall.  “Fox and the Meadow,” “An Eagle’s Feast,” and “A Watchful Eye” are now available for viewing along side of Christine St. Pierre’s birch art and Gabrielle Gagne’s “Peaceful Interlude,” and “Snack in the Garden.”  The art work can be viewed 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 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.  FMI call 636-2843 ext 401.