THE COW

Finally, after several intentions to stop, I paid a visit to the cow. Cute little thing. Such personality. And so well trained. The timing couldn't have been better either because I got to meet her owner, Paul. His wife of many years, "Precious", he called her, must have been in the house. But Paul and I had a bit of a chat about the cow Paul bought as a gift for Precious one year. And now, Paul knows how highly she values that gift. The cow is never allowed too close to the road for fear someone might take her. Otherwise Paul would really be up to his whazoo in stuff resembling fresh cow paddies. ;-)

If you live in Eddington, or drive through town on Route 9 from west to east during the months from Spring to Fall, you've probably noticed the cow. (She lives in the barn during winter months. She's much too delicate for Maine winters.) She resides just west of Rideout Nursery on the opposite side of the road. But she does wander. Sometimes she's at the side of the barn/garage near the house. Sometimes she's near the little, wooden, red wheelbarrow. I loved the day she was at the front door, like a dog trying to get in.

Paul says he has to paint her black spots and white body every other year. I wonder how long it takes to paint her long, black eyelashes. It's the eyelashes that let you know the cow is definitely a girly cow. And that little cocked attitude of her head. Personality personified.

It's always nice to find something along the drive that freely gives you a smile. That cow does it for me every time. So I needed to stop to say Thank You. In the process I met Paul. He's nice, too.

I LOVE MY INSURANCE COMPANY - AND TRASH DAY

First of all, I really do love my Insurance Company - Liberty Mutual. Love their ad campaign re: Responsibility AND their people and the way the team here in Bangor just take care of their clients. Seriously. No sarcasm here, folks. I've had them since moving back and my late sister-in-law said they were who I was going to have. Same agent that she and my brother had. Done deal. (The company I had in California didn't/doesn't do business in Maine. What else is new. We won't go there.) Great agent. Got policies for both the new house and the not-so-new car. Great rates.

Then last Fall - maybe it was this last Spring (can't remember which) a dead tree limb from an oak tree fell on my car. Smashed windshield, dented hood, dented lots of stuff. $4,600.00 worth of stuff. (I think "dead" limbs must weigh more - and dead oak limbs especially). Called my agent's office. I didn't call the Claim's telephone number because I like to talk to human beings - not automatic machines. Funny that way. Great PEOPLE at my agent's office up on Stillwater Ave near Day's Jewelry. No problem. Car fixed and I had a car to use during the process. Piece of cake.

So now - recently - a handyman was at the house re: four windows on the second floor I need to have replaced before winter. Definitely NEED to have replaced. As in - they get frost AND icicles on the INSIDE during the winter (probably facing the water doesn't help but I need to reduce my heating costs because of property taxes and all. But we won't go there.) The handyman suggested I contact my insurance company. Maybe I had a claim. I didn't think so but what the heck. Can't hurt to ask a question. Well, I called. I asked questions. Bottom Line - when I was talking to the Claims Person, she asked if the windows were Anderson Windows. They are. She said Anderson Windows have a 20 year guarantee. How about that! More Bottom Line: I am within the 20 year "window". So - while I do not have an insurance claim, so to speak, because of the great people who work at Liberty Mutual, I am now getting 11 brand new Anderson Windows FREE (because the technician Anderson Windows sent tested every window in my house and determined I had "collapsed glass" in more than the four problem windows I had originally determined were in need of replacement.

Do I believe in Anderson Windows? Absolutely! Do I believe in Liberty Mutual? You Bet!

Now, as for Liberty Mutual's ad campaign - you've probably seen their TV ads where one person does something good for someone else (usually a stranger) and a third party sees that act and then the third party catches the "bug" and does something for someone else (like pulling them out of traffic or picking up a child's dropped toy, etc.) - Liberty Mutual calls it The Responsibility Project. I LIKE IT.

Of course, I'm not too sure how it works when someone decided not to throw their container of oil into the woods and just left it along the roadside - in the area near my trash for collection. Good not to throw it into the woods BUT our trash collectors won't take it and it certainly doesn't qualify for "recycling". So I guess that means someone like ME is expected to take it into Bangor on October 3 for Universal Household Hazardous Waste Day.

JUST PULL UP AND 'COP A SQUAT'

Or - maybe, "Watch the lid there" - or "Only in downtown Eddington" (Do we have a 'downtown'?) - Or how about "Good Gawd, Maud!" Maybe something like, "If the line's too long at the Post Office and Your Coffee's Kicking In - No Problem"

As you can tell, gentle readers, I am having a problem with choosing a title for this story - or call it a folksy article about Life in Eddington. (I probably shouldn't say "only in Eddington." I'm learning better. I know, I know. You're probably saying - "So get on with it already."

Well, west driving along scenic Route 9 the other afternoon on the way to pick up my mail at the Post Office, I almost drove across the center line with the artistic distraction on the south side of the road just before the Post Office. (Of course I am always watching for signs of wild life - skunks, porcupines, deer and suck.) I even saw a woman putting out a couch last week. She was attempting to put some sort of a sign on it (maybe "Free" or some price) but the wind kept blowing it down so she gave up and just left the couch - abandoned as though it was on its own. For sure the trash collectors wouldn't be taking it.

So, back to my story here. What I saw was no wild lands critter. And no couch either. It was a white, porcelain toilet. Complete. No sign. Perhaps this is Eddington's version of a "Rest Stop." Can't you just imagine some wanderer strolling down the road - or an early morning jogger perhaps. Maybe one of those late night big rig drivers who's had too many cups of coffee.
"Oops. Gotta go. Well, looky here. How convenient."

Like I said, Welcome to downtown Eddington.

How about, "Flushing optional." (BTW, if you are inclined to take the offer of a free toilet you might want to check for any "contributions" first." :-)

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND!

Gorgeous weather! It's true, I can see the season change in just the changing color of the water as it changes to a darker, steely gray, but the loons are still here and calling in the early evening hours. The light at night as the moon rises is both romantic (for those with a partner, sit outside with a warm blanket around your shoulders and a hot cup of something - what the heck - and just snuggle) and mystical.

It's getting chilly but as long as we have sun - no snow (thank you even though my snowmobile friends are anxious, I know, but NOT ME!) and the days are crisp, they are productive. I need to be outside getting the gardens ready for their long winter sleep but I have been tied to the computer for nearly a week now working on a novel that I hope to have ready for something come late Fall.

So - enjoy the weekend and this wonderful week's weather. How fortunate we are not to be in the midst of the terrible fires that southern California is experiencing. Having been there and gone through that, I can tell you - it is terrifying.

I hope you have had a lovely Labor Day Weekend.

TOWN MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING LOCATIONS

Thanks to a return email from the Eddington Town Manager, I can now confirm that the location for BOTH the Public Hearing on September 29 and the Special Town Meeting on October 6 will be at the Eddington Town Office - at 6PM.

As reported in yesterday's posting here, the purpose of the Public Hearing will be to explain and discuss the one issue that will be on the October 6 agenda - whether or not to authorize $8,900.00 to be taken from the Eddington Fire Department Reserve Fund to be used to match the Americorp grant for the purpose of establishing an 11 month firefighter position (from October 2009 through September 2010).

There will be more information provided at the September 29 meeting, I'm sure. So people should attend. I doubt the meeting will be very long but there should be questions regarding this matter and the Public Hearing is the place to ask them and to get the answers.

I know Tuesday nights (September 29) is a school night - and I know a lot of people don't even get home from work before 6pm, but this is your tax money. Money you have already paid. It's reasonable to ask if we will have to "repay" the Reserve Fund for potential emergencies, which means additional taxes. And then there should be the question about what happens after September 2010 - will the town need to raise more money (meaning Taxes) if we want to keep the position even if another grant can be obtained?

Add to this that come November, there is an issue on the ballot having to do with the repeal of a new Excise Tax. IF that Excise Tax is repealed, Eddington property taxpayers (according to a comment made at last Tuesday's Selectmen's meeting) will have to pick up the loss of $137,000 from the state. This means an increase in property taxes.

The issue is not one individual increase here and another increase there. We need to start looking at the sum total of all the tax and fee increases that are going into effect this coming year.

• The state is planning to decrease its contribution to public education by $60 million. That means an increase at the local level for school budget that INCREASES EVERY YEAR.

• The state has passed a new Income Tax law which is going to increase the taxes of anyone making $60,000 a year or less and who owns property and has a mortgage because you will no longer be able to deduct your property taxes (which keep going up) or your mortgage interest, the sum total is probably more than the 2 percent reduction in the tax rate.

• Sales tax is now being applied to services such as when you get your car serviced for winter and spring tires, balancing and other repairs.

• You are paying more for registering your car (and will probably be paying more for inspections, too). And look at what it is costing to register your recreational vehicles.

• Members of my family just received their property tax bills. Did you receive yours. All of us saw an increase over last years' bill. Did you? I'm not sure why. It shouldn't be because of the school budget. I heard some time ago the state was going to reduce the Homestead credit. Maybe that's it. I'll have to check. But I know my bill was nearly $150.00 higher this year and there have been no changes in my property.

Where is all this money going to come from, especially when we consider those members of our population who are on fixed incomes or unemployed or on reduced income because they've lost their employment altogether?

I think it would be great to add another firefighter position to the Fire Department. But if it means more taxes next year, on top of the ones the state is already handing to us directly or indirectly, I don't know how we can afford it. Suggestions are welcome.

This is why residents need to attend the Public Hearing and then the Special Town meeting.

A BIT OF CORRECTION RE: SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

Thanks to an email from the Eddington Town Manager, I want to clarify something I didn't understand from this past Tuesday's Selectmen's meeting re: the Special Town Meeting that's coming up.

September 29 at 6pm will be a Public Hearing (Town Office) which, I believe, will be to discuss the issues we will be asked to vote on at the Special Town Meeting which will be held October 6 (at 6pm). The location of the Special Town Meeting I'm not sure of - maybe the Eddington School since that's where they are usually held. But I'll get back to you about that. There's plenty of time.

*****

BUT - It is ALSO important for as many of you as possible to attend the School Board Meeting on Monday, September 28 at 6:30pm at the Holden School. That night's issue will be whether or NOT to give any school land to the Town of Holden. The more I look into this issue the more adamant I am that no land should be given or sold that is currently owned by the school district. Our schools are currently full and we may need the land for simple expansion. Aside from that, it has been the taxpayers from all three towns who have paid for the maintenance and improvements for all four pieces that the Town of Holden is trying to have turned over to it.

Within this past week I have learned it is school custodians at Holden School who maintain the Nature Walk trails by cutting down brush and overgrown tree branches and other work. It appears that Town of Holden Councilman Harvey was in error with his information to me that the trails are maintained by Holden volunteers. And who pays the salaries for the school custodians? The taxpayers from all three towns: Eddington, Clifton and Holden.

I have also been told that the School District had to pay the Town of Holden to BUY the land that is now in question. Why would we ever want to give that land to the Town of Holden? Let us remember when the school district entered into an agreement with the Town of Holden when it came to the lease for the property where the school district buses were originally kept and serviced which forced the district to move the location. Now the district is being accused of not negotiating in "good faith" because we simply required the Town of Holden to put their request/offer in writing. Having read the request/offer, this writer can not see any benefit to the school district although I can certainly see benefits to the Town of Holden. But I am an Eddington taxpayer. Who said Eddington or Clifton were obligated to accept the request or offer once it was put on paper? I don't recall anything like that ever being said.

The more the Town of Holden pushes, the more I question the motivation of the "deal."

EDDINGTON SPECIAL TOWN MEETING SEPT. 29

Last night the Eddington Board of Selectmen signed a Warrant for a Special Town Meeting to be held September 29 at 6:00pm. That date coincides with what would have been the second Selectmen's meeting in September. A Public Notice will be posted for the meeting. (Public Notices are usually posted at the Eddington Post Office, The Eddington Store, and at the Tradewinds store.) I do not believe Notices will be mailed to town residents.

It appears there is a requirement for a Special Town Meeting if more than $5,000.00 is going to be expended if the money was not approved at the Annual Town Meeting; so this Special Town Meeting may (or may not) be because of the Amendment to Article 11 which the voters required at the 2009 Annual Town Meeting, but, regardless the "reason", it is the right thing for the Board of Selectmen to do. Now it is the Civic Responsibility of the town voters to SHOW UP, LISTEN, and VOTE.

The purpose of the Special Town Meeting will be for the sole purpose of discussing and voting as to whether or not the Town should take the necessary money from the Fire Department's Reserve Fund to match the Americorp Grant for an additional firefighter position. Eddington will have to provide a match of $8,900.00 to receive the Americorp grant which is for 11 months only. The grant would begin in October 2009 and end in September 2010.

Last night I asked the Board what will happen to the position after September 2010? Will the position be eliminated? Will the town be responsible for fully funding the position (which is a "long-term commitment" as defined by Article 11)? There were a variety of answers provided. The voters at the Special Town Meeting will probably want that question answered before committing the money from the Reserve or accepting the Americorp grant.

*****

The Board of Selectmen have been notified by the SAD63 Interim Superintendent of the September 28 Board Meeting - at the Holden School (note the location) at 6:30pm. The Public is invited and encouraged to attend. A primary subject on the agenda will be whether or note certain parcels of land, which now belong to the school district, should be turned over to the Town of Holden. Members of the Eddington Board of Selectmen will be in attendance along with the Eddington Town Manager to represent the town's position on this matter.

At last night's Board of Selectmen meeting, the Town Manager reported he has sent the Town of Holden's proposed Release Deed and Recitals (provided in full in a previous blog posting) to the Eddington town legal counsel for review and has requested a legal opinion. There was a discussion by some Selectmen as to what is currently located on the parcels of land since the Release Deed doesn't specify that information (other than references to the ballpark). I told the Board that Holden Councilman Harvey confirmed to me (in a conversation outside the School Board meeting) the school property in question includes the ballpark, the newly paved supplementary parking lot, the Nature Walk trails, and the Veterans' Memorial. The Selectmen stated that information should have been specified in the documents provided by the Town of Holden.

It was agreed the Eddington School Board representatives should be made aware of the Board of Selectmen's position (once they have formed one) in advance of the September 28 School Board meeting.

Residents and taxpayers of Eddington may want to communicate their feelings regarding this issue to theie School Board representatives who are: Karen Clark, Pam Dorr, and Therese Anderson.

An interesting fact re: How School Board Votes are Weighted. Even though there are four (4) positions on the board from Holden, three (3) from Eddington, and one (1) from Clifton - and one of the Holden positions is the Chair, which under Robert's Rules of Order does not get to vote unless it is to break a tie vote...something which the current Chair consistently ignores..., the voting is not just a simple 1 vote per representative. Each vote is weighted based on the town's population of the representative. For example, the total population of Clifton is 749, which includes every man, woman and child as reported to me by one of Clifton's Selectpersons. Therefore, when Clifton's sole representative on the School Board votes, his vote is weighted as "749."

The Eddington Town Manager is currently verifying the current population of our town. Then, when each of our three representatives votes, her vote will be weighted as one-third of Eddington's population.

It is expected the Holden's Town Manager is currently verifying that town's population. It will be important to ensure that the three Holden representatives who are authorized to vote - at one-third of Holden's population per vote - are the only votes counted.

If the votes by hand count are tied, for example - 3 for and 3 against with 1 abstention (or absence), the weight by population is what should determine the results.

This information was provided by one of the School Board reps who stated the rules are set by the authority that governs Maine school boards.

If the property is given to the Town of Holden under these circumstances, I project any consideration for school consolidation will go right out the window.

****

Tomorrow, Thursday - September 3 - there will be a public forum at the Bangor Public Library which will be conducted by the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) which is the umbrella association to which all local governing bodies belong, such as the Boards of Eddington, Clifton and Holden. The purpose of the forum (and the public is welcome) will be to discuss the impact to local government should the November referendums pass pertaining to the Maine Excise Tax law and TABOR II. (The November ballot is reported to also include the referendum issue as to whether or not to repeal the mandate to consolidate all school districts.)

I have very limited information regarding these two tax-related referendums. However, there was a comment at last night's Board of Selectmen's meeting that suggested that should the voters approve the referendum relating to the Excise Tax (which I am inclined to believe would reject some aspect of the Excise Tax - which is probably an increase since I've not seen a single genuine decrease in any tax in Maine since moving back here), it would result in a decrease from the State to Eddington in the amount of $137,000. An impromptu remark by one member of the Selectmen was that the $137,000 would have to be passed on to the property owners in Eddington in the form of an increase in property taxes.

I find it strange that no member of Maine government at any level seems capable of understanding that Maine taxpayers are voting to repeal various state-imposed taxes, whether it be the new Maine income tax law or this Excise Tax because taxpayers (both personal and business) are fed up with being taxed to death, driven out of business and off their own land. The message to government at all levels is CUT YOUR COSTS. And yet here in our own town and in our School district we don't here or see this attitude at all. We certainly don't see it in the bottom line of the proposed budgets. We are having to cut our household budgets because of your taxation. It's time local government started doing the same thing.

As to TABOR II (the Taxpayer Bill of Rights), I think we can find more information regarding this on the Internet. I'll be looking for some clarification and will be reporting what I can here. I do know that when the original TABOR referendum was introduced a few years ago, it was narrowly defeated. With the level of discontent that is rampant across the state now, I won't be surprised if TABOR II passes. Until these is a better environment for businesses and property owners, there is no reason to believe our year-round state population will grow. That is what is needed is we want to raise the funds to pay for the needed improvements in state and local infrastructure. Taxing people to the point of driving our young educated people and our retired people out of state at least long enough to avoid state income taxes is only hurting the state and our local communities.