HONOR OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN

            Programs and parades around the country all had the same theme over this past Memorial Day Weekend, that of honoring all those men and women who have served, fought, and died throughout the history of our country to defend and preserve our liberties which we hold so dear.  Many stories of bravery have been told, both of real life and of motion picture fiction, during these past several days, tales that make grown men cry.  Every day of our lives we should pause and remind ourselves of the ultimate sacrifice which so many of our service people have made over the years for us and our country.

            A semicircle of American flags in holders, representing every war ever fought by our military, are prominently displayed at the monument grounds at the Shapleigh Town Hall in front of the obelisk granite column honoring such veterans of all wars.

            Flags are flying from poles at the main intersection of town, placed there by Bill Mageary and his wife Eileen for each patriotic holiday.

            Interim Pastor Robert Hinckley at the Shapleigh First Baptist Church asked persons in the congregation to stand up if they had been in military service and virtually all the men and some women rose to the occasion indicating how so many served to benefit others.  This act was repeated with the same result in Washington, DC where a huge outdoor national Memorial Day program was being televised for the world to view.  May God bless all the men and women of this country who have and are serving in the best interests of every citizen of the United States.

POLLS OPEN 9 A.M. TO 8 P.M.

            The Shapleigh Town Hall will be the polling place for the state referendum and primary election as well as for the Regional School Unit #57 (RSU#57) budget validation process on Tuesday, June 8, 2010.  At the meeting at the Middle School on Tuesday, May 25 the RSU#57 school budget was approved by the voters as presented. On Tuesday, June 8, 2010 in the individual towns the voters will vote whether or not to accept the vote taken at the regional meeting.  Also there will be an article to be voted on to determine whether or not the people want to continue to use the voting procedures used this year or to change them, eliminating the validation step.  Absentee ballots are available at the Town Clerk’s office for those who are unable to come to the polls on Tuesday, July 8.

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

            A public hearing will be held on Monday, June 7, 2010 at 7 p.m. at the Shapleigh Town Hall to hear a request for variances submitted by the Town for the Salt/Sand Storage Facility proposed for parcel donated to the Town for that purpose, shown as Map 7 Lot 5 on the Town Property Tax Maps.  The two non-conforming aspects of the facility as presented to the Planning Board include an extra 3.5 foot in height on the structure and an extra 4 feet from the maximum 26 foot width for the road entrance to Shapleigh Corner Rd.

RECYCLING

            The State Planning Office has responded to the 2009 Municipal Solid Waste Annual Report that was submitted by the Town.  Shapleigh’s recycling rate is 17.28% which includes the base rate of 12.28% and the return bottle credit of 5.0%. 

            Tires accounted for 8.37 Tons and the co-mingled container items totaled 117.36 Tons.  Universal waste was comprised of monitors and televisions totaling 51.13 Tons, mercury 0.0005 Tons, batteries 0.045 Tons and mixed 0.37 Tons.  Municipal solid waste which was incinerated at MERC totaled 1,034.77 Tons and mixed CDD totaled 396.61 Tons. 

FEMA PAYMENT

            The final payment of the state share of financial aid for the severe winter storms and flooding of December 11, 2008 through December 29, 2008 is being processed for distribution.  The Federal share (75%) which was approved and paid was $59,813.39.  The State share (15%) of $11,962.68 is being processed.  Total reimbursement for the storm repairs comes to $71,776.07.  The Local share (10%) was $7,975.11. 

GROWTH PERMITS

Jason Vigue was issued a Residential Growth Permit by the Planning Board at its recent meeting.  This is only the third such permit that has been issued this year which indicates that there are ample Residential Growth Permits available if persons wish to qualify to construct a home in Shapleigh during 2010.  Once a Growth Permit is obtained, it is still necessary to obtain a building permit from the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) prior to undertaking construction. 

Before issued a building permit the CEO requires:

·        A driveway permit signed by the appropriate road commissioner.

·        A plot plan of the land with major distances and locations noted.

·        A septic design

·        The license number of the plumber doing the plumbing work if the plumbing permit is to be issued at the same time as the building permit.

·        A set of proposed building plans.

·        A copy of the deed to the property.

An appointment necessary to meet with the CEO can be made by calling (207) 636-2839 ext 409.

MOBILE LUNCH TRUCK

            Acting on an application from Patrick Coyne of Acton, the Planning Board approved the operation of a mobile lunch truck at 146 Emery Mills Road on the small shopping center property there.  The lunch truck will serve take-out food items only.

            While considering the application, the Planning Board reviewed a site plan showing the existing parking area and businesses and the proposed location of the lunch truck.  Also a letter from Stoney Road Septic Service stated Gallant would take the waste water from the truck on an as-needed basis.  Leon Knox of 359 Shapleigh Corner Road stated he would take the waste oil to produce biodiesel.  The State of Maine Dept. of Health and Human Services had issued a permit for a Mobile Eating Place, issued Feb 2, 2010 and expiring Jan. 31, 2011.

            The hours of operation will be from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., six days a week; being closed on Monday and operating from mid-April through Mid-October each year.

ADDITION TO BOAT BUSINESS

            Mark Parker of Parker’s Boathouse had applied to the Planning Board for an amendment to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a 14 ft. x 30 ft. addition to the existing shop and showroom at 86 Emery Mills Road.  Upon preview of the material presented, along with town records and a previous board approval of an addition to the existing structure in November 2002, it appeared that the maximum lot coverage of 10% allowed by the Ordinance has already been met so no further structures would be allowed on site.

            The Planning Board agreed the best course of action would be to table the application to give the applicant time to research all information provided with the 2002 amendment to see if the information on file was in fact correct and to verify the dimensions of the buildings.  It was noted that the approval of the 2002 amendment required Mr. Parker to obtain additional property from an abutter to be able to meet the 10% lot coverage requirement for the addition to the building prior to approval.

RECENT PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Leo Paul Belanger to Kenneth Moody, Granny Kent

Matthew Schermerhorn to Stacy Schermerhorn, Simon Ricker Rd

Town of Shapleigh to Patrick Perron (2) Granny Kent

Town of Shapleigh to Randall Bicknell, Trustee of Declaration of Trust

Richard Wood to Richard Wood and Kathleen Wood, Mousam Lake

Patrick Corliss Jr. to Richard Wood and Kathleen Wood, Mousam Lake

Robert Schultze to Allison Schultze, Mousam Lake

Harold Wilson and Denise Schoen to Linda Lovejoy and Gary Dunlap, Newfield Rd

Thomas F.Penney and Fern Penney to Thomas R. Penney and Susan Penney, Deering Ridge Rd

Elsie Saunders to Heidi Goddard, Square Pond

North Country Land Inc to Melissa Rizzo, Evergreen Overlook

Arthur Bingham to Daniel Donovan, North Shapleigh

Tamara Gowen to Tamara Gowen and Timothy Gowen, Mousam Lake

Anthony P Mullin and Laura Mullin to Timothy Clancy, Garland Rd

Thomas Small to Frank Ring and LaurieJean Ring, Town Farm Rd

Sandra Frackleton to Christopher Kent and Donna Kent, Mousam Lake

Lee Dezan and Gail Dezan to Jason Vigue and Melissa Vigue, Owls Nest Rd

Housing and Urban Development to Dawne Brown, Pine Springs

George Stanley and Anita Stanley to George Stanley, Back Rd

George Stanley and Anita Stanley to Anita Stanley, Back Rd

George Stanley and Anita Stanley to George Stanley and Anita Stanley, Back Rd

These property transfers reflect those which were recorded at the York County Registry of Deeds in April 2010.

CEMETERY ASSOCIATION MEETING

            Notice is being given to any and all members of the Highland Grove Cemetery Association that the annual meeting will be held on the second Monday of June, the 14^th, at 7 p.m. at the Shapleigh Town Hall.  Secretary Nancy Moses will be notifying those who generally attend the annual business meeting , particularly since the meeting has been held on the first Monday in June as a rule but circumstances preclude that happening this year. 

            Any and all persons who have purchased gravesites in the Highland Grove Cemetery in North Shapleigh are considered to be members of the Association and have a voice in the business meetings.

            The association is in the process of clearing additional land it has owned for years and is planning to extend the fenced in area to include all of the cemetery grounds.

            Officers of the organization will be elected at the annual meeting, minutes and financial reports will be given, and old and new business will be dealt with.  FMI call 636-2843 ext 406 and speak to Ruth.

GET HOOKED……

            On learning the traditional rug hooking, a craft of  Maine and the Maritimes. 

            Join teacher Norine Bucknell at the Alfred Shaker Museum, 118 Shaker Hill Rd, Alfred, Maine on Saturday, June 13, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a lesson in a craft that is sure to get you “hooked”.  The cost is $25.00 and persons must register in advance.  Supplies will be furnished by the instructor.  Call Linda at (207) 490-5709 to register.

MISSION TRIP

            Ten teens from Shapleigh First Baptist Church traveled to New York with five adults for a weekend mission trip.  Meeting up with a couple from the Christian Evangelical Fellowship (C.E.F.) group, everyone went to Staten Island to check in at the C.E.F. dormitory.  Next morning there was an orientation session regarding New York City.  Next stop was Coney Island where the teens were able to share the Gospel with 46 youth, after which 22 of them made a decision to follow Christ.  The teens also talked to a number of adults in spreading the Gospel. 

            Afterwards sightseeing was on the agenda with China Town, Little Italy, Times Square and Rockefeller Center being the destinations. 

            Arriving back in Shapleigh, it was determined that it had been a successful mission.