CORRECTION

In a recent Shapleigh column that I had written in the Sanford News there was an error which indicated that Charles Mullins had been appointed as a Republican ballot clerk for the Town of Shapleigh.  The name should have been Charles Gruber.  An apology is hereby extended to Charles Mullins for what he considered to be an offensive remark.

BID AWARDS

The Greater Portland Council of Governments has sent the Board of Selectmen the results of the Road Striping Bid Award.  Actually this year the bid is being given a multiple award:

• The Traffic Striping and Markins line painting award is being made to Poirier Guidelines of Athol, MA.
• The bid award for Pedestrian and Pavement Marking w/Templates hand work is being made to C.J.’s Fine Lines of Scarborough, ME.
• The award for Thermoplastics is to a new bidder this year, Hi-Way Safety Systems, Inc. of Rockland, MA.

Generally the Town of Shapleigh utilizes the services of Poirier Guidelines for striping the roads only since there is no need for the services offered by the other companies participating in the bid process.

TRANSFER STATION

Receipts for the month of April at the Transfer Station totaled $1,586.00 paid by residents who have utilized the facility for disposal of certain items, such as demos debris, appliances, etc.

Transfer station employees Art Ingersol and Mike Roy will be attending the presentation of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) core training session number 2, “Reporting Requirements and Report Preparation” on Thursday, May 20, 2010.  Since that is a day when the Transfer Station is open, Alternate Eric Garrison and Selectman Charles Mullins will be assisting the public in Art and Mike’s absence.

The training session will also include Elective Training Session 1:  “Managing Recyclables”.   Topics will include the definition of recyclable wastes, electronics, mercury-containing products, clean separation, storage and value, marketing and record keeping.

Also being covered is Elective Training Session 3:  “Safety”.  Safety Works will give a presentation on “Compliance Directive,” who they are, the services they can provide, and consultation on site, if needed.

WINTER SALT

Although we have not yet begun our summer season the Town of Shapleigh is looking into the purchase of salt for the winter season.  Peter Coughlan, Director of the Maine Local Roads Center, Maine Dept. of Transportation has notified all communities interested in purchasing its winter salt through the State contract for the 2010-2011 winter to contact MDOT.  Actually the Town has located a vendor which can provide the salt necessary at a lesser cost.

VIOLATION

Code Enforcement Officer Steve McDonough has issued a notice of violation to Ted’s Fried Clams of Emery Mills Road for having erected two signs without any permits having been applied for.  To resolve this problem, the owner of the property must apply for the required permits or remove the signs from the property.  The signs relate to the “Rock House Ice Cream” signs, both on the building and free-standing.

RATIO

The Board of Selectmen has signed a document required annually by 36 MRSA section 383 and requested by the Maine Revenue Service stating the certified ratio or percentage of just value upon which assessments are based for the 2010 tax year.  The developed parcel ratio as determined by the Maine Revenue Service is 96%.  The Town has a declared 2010 certified ratio of 100% since it is within the allowed 10% leeway of the developed parcel ratio. 

Homestead exemptions, veteran exemptions, etc. must be factored by the declared ratio if less than 100%.  Homestead exemptions in 2010 will be $10,000 and veteran exemptions will be $6,000.  The valuations of those property owners who have applied and qualified for such exemptions are reduced by the applicable amounts.  Currently there are 728 properties with homestead exemptions applied.  Property owners must have resided in the dwelling for a full year prior to April 1 of the year for which they are seeking an exemption.  Persons who have not applied and may be eligible for 2011 may apply at any time.  Once approved, there is no need to reapply in successive years.

HANDYMAN

Bill Mageary has fabricated a stone for the repair of the obelisk columns for the Shapleigh Commons with the aid of Dick Weaver and Gary Littlefield after having made a template of the space where the previous stone had been.  Apparently with the freezing temperatures and moisture having found its way behind the original stone, it fell off and was lost.  Protective sealant is applied to the columns to prevent this from occurring but obviously mother nature has her own way at times.

SCHOLARSHIP INTERVIEWS

The Board of Selectmen interviewed _____ scholarship applicants recently

TOWN HALL ROOF

            D. G. Walls & Sons was the successful bidder for the replacement of the Town Hall roof.   The roof had been damaged several years ago after having sustained damage when the weathervane became dislodged during a wind storm and fell to the ground.  Although repairs had been done when the damage occurred, over time the roof began to leak as the roofing eventually began to reach their life expectancy.  The cost of the contract is $11,000.

SALT/SAND STORAGE FACILITY

            The firm of CES met with the Planning Board at its meeting recently.  Both Road Commissioner Richard Goodwin and Dave Winchell attended on behalf of the Town, the purpose being to obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) before going to the Code Enforcement Officer.  Unfortunately the Planning Board did not approve the CUP because the height of the building is greater than the ordinance allows by 2 ½ feet, although it sits in a hollow and is lower than Boonies roofline across the street. 

            The next step in the process is to file an appeal with the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).  If submitted in time, the application would be dealt with at the June 7, 2010 meeting of the ZBA.

            Other items on the proposed plan that will need to be dealt with by CES and the Town include the filtration system, landscaping plan, footings, and width of the road leading to the buildings.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS

            Town Clerk Joanne Rankin has announced that the absentee ballots for the June 8, 2010 primary election are now available at her office.  FMI call 636-2843 ext 413 or 415.

NEW LIBRARY BOOKS

            After mowing the lawn, sit down outdoors in an Adirondack chair or lie down in a hammock and enjoy one of the many books recently purchased by Librarian Gene Smith for your reading pleasure.  In these days of economic stress persons can still get a library card at no cost and borrow books from the library for free.  Not only are books available but also magazines and periodicals, videos and audios.  The library is open on Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.  FMI call 636-3630 during those hours.

Fiction 

            “Hannah’s List,” by Debbie Macomber

            “Lucid Interval,” by Stuart Woods

            “Making Toast,” by Roger Rosenblatt

            “Eight Days to Live,” by Iris Johanson

            “Apologize, Apologize,” Elizabeth Kelly

            “Savor the Moment,” by Nora Roberts

            “The Last Child,” by John Hart

            “The Language of the Bees,” by Laurie King

            “Return to Sullivan’s Island,” by Dorothea Frank

            “Strip,” by Thomas Perry

            “The Aloha Quilt,” by Jennifer Chiaverini

            “The Last Surgeon,” by Michael Palmer

            “Lake Shore Limited,” by Sue Miller

            “Roses,” by Leila Meacham

Non-fiction

            “The Training Ground,” by Dugal Martin

            “Add & Adhd,” by Jay Gordon

            “Delicious Maine Desserts,” by Cynthia Simonds

            “A Place Called Maine,” by W. McNab

            “The Kingdom of Auschwitz,” by Otta Frieddrich

            “The Best of Friends,” by Marianna Pasternick

            “This Time Together,” by Carol  Burnett

            “New England Legends & Folklore,” by Sam Drake    

            “Oprah,” by Kitty Kelly

            “Spoken from the Heart,” by Laura Bush

DVDs

            “Wutherine Heights

            “Forget Paris”

            “Gettysburg”

            “Alex & Emma”

            “My Sister’s Keeper”

Juvenile

            “Big Nate in a Class by Himself,” by Lincoln Pierce

            “Fading Echos,” by Erin Hunter

“Red Pyramid,” by Rick Riordan

“The Bat Boy,” by Mike Lupica

“Pretty in Plaid,” by Jen Lancaster

“Pete the Cat,” by Eric Litwin

“Marley & the Kittens,” by John Grogan

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

            Robert Hinckley continues to serve as Interim Pastor at the First Baptist Church at Shapleigh Corner, delivering the morning message at Sunday worship service, maintaining office hours one day weekly, and providing visitation.  FMI call (207) 636-1662 or by internet at www.contactus@shapleighbaptistchurch.org

The Pulpit Search Committee continues to seek prospective candidates for a full-time pastor for the church. 

            The Youth Group will undergo Children’s Ministry Training with instructors Larry and Debbie Porter.  The youth are preparing for their upcoming mission trip to New York City.  Adults who work with children will have a separate session of training.

            Four youth are working hard to raise the funds necessary for them to go to Namibia (in Africa) on a mission trip this summer.  They will be joining youth from other churches which are also embarking on this journey.  In addition to soliciting funds from relatives and church family members, they are planning a spaghetti supper, a golf game and other fundraising activities.  Thank you to all who attended the Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s in Sanford which benefited the Namibia mission trip.

            A Ladies Brunch has been scheduled for Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the home of Darla McDowell.  Women attending are asked to bring a dish to share with others.  In addition to the potluck brunch there will be fellowship, a devotional and a time of prayer and encouragement to build one another up in the Lord.  FMI call 636-1662.