Public Servants are not indentured servants. That's true.
BUT some seem to have an overinflated sense of importance. Public Servants (otherwise known as people who are employed to Serve the Public) have a responsibility that requires courtesy, respect, and civility to those who employ them.
So what do you call a town employee who:
1. Sends out "overdue property tax" notices to town residents who have paid their taxes - and then forces those residents to obtain a cancelled check to prove that the taxes were paid (after the resident has provided the check number, date of check issuance, date of check clearance at the local bank, and amount of the check) - not to mention the cost of obtaining the copy of the cancelled check....and then doesn't even say, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience."?
2. Keeps town residents waiting while she conducts personal phone calls on town office phones and time?
3. Acts rudely to town residents (and tax payers) when they come in to register their vehicles?
4. Decides that a town resident shouldn't have a blogspot that is named in part for the town - and decides to file a complaint with a state government agency because of the blogspot's name (as though she never heard of the First Amendment)?
WHO? An employee of the town of Clifton... That's who.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
LOSS OF ANOTHER TEACHER AT HOLBROOK
Students entering the eighth grade at Holbrook Middle School next Fall will be sad to find that Mrs. Smith will not be among the teaching staff. She has accepted a position with the Bangor School system. She's reported to have said she was looking for a change.
I've heard many great remarks about Mrs. Smith as a teacher but, as with any profession, change and relocation are to be expected. Gone are the days when an individual stays with the same company their entire career. Its not even unusual when people relocate geographically. Professional and personal growth frequently take us to new places and opportunities even as we are sad to leave friends and familiar places behind. We should all wish Mrs. Smith a good experience with her new position.
Looks like Mr. Hart will be busy with his recruitment efforts this summer.
*****
How great to see a bit of sunlight even if not for entire days lately. People in my neighborhood are rushing out to mow the lawns that have grown like weeds - Oh, those are weeds! The peonies have had a terrible time with the rain. Mine have lost their petals almost before they had a chance to enjoy their bloom. Bummer.
*****
A spelling correction from yesterday's blog re: the Mad Hatter's Tea - "Red" Hodgins came on by to help me with a bit of a situation and left his business card. He assured me he had no problem hearing I had misspelled his last name - but for the record, it is Hodgins (not Hodgens).
I've heard many great remarks about Mrs. Smith as a teacher but, as with any profession, change and relocation are to be expected. Gone are the days when an individual stays with the same company their entire career. Its not even unusual when people relocate geographically. Professional and personal growth frequently take us to new places and opportunities even as we are sad to leave friends and familiar places behind. We should all wish Mrs. Smith a good experience with her new position.
Looks like Mr. Hart will be busy with his recruitment efforts this summer.
*****
How great to see a bit of sunlight even if not for entire days lately. People in my neighborhood are rushing out to mow the lawns that have grown like weeds - Oh, those are weeds! The peonies have had a terrible time with the rain. Mine have lost their petals almost before they had a chance to enjoy their bloom. Bummer.
*****
A spelling correction from yesterday's blog re: the Mad Hatter's Tea - "Red" Hodgins came on by to help me with a bit of a situation and left his business card. He assured me he had no problem hearing I had misspelled his last name - but for the record, it is Hodgins (not Hodgens).
Thursday, June 25, 2009
THE MAD HATTER'S TEA - CLIFTON
What a lovely event! To think that such a gathering is planned and conducted (with all the work and food preparation involved) by just three women - Caroline Baker, the Clifton Librarian from Eddington; Penny Peasley, Clifton Selectwoman; and Mary Bragg, Clifton resident. There were so many delicate tea sandwiches and deserts, not to mention the individual china tea cups and saucers at each place setting. I was told the cups and saucers had been donated to the library at one time by a woman in honor of her mother and the Mad Hatter's Tea is a way to use the beautiful service and bring together community people - some of whom are only here for the summer. What a unique way to continue the memory of a loved one and to share such beautiful items.
The many women who attended were from Clifton and Eddington - and maybe other towns as well. I didn't have the opportunity to ask but I did have the benefit of finding four women who volunteered to be members of a writers' review and critique group. Now that was an additional benefit. And there was discussion of forming a book review group.
We even had the benefit of a very young gentleman from the Butterfield family who was so relaxed by the affair he slept through the entire event in the comforting arms on Caroline who sat in one of the library's wing-backed chairs. That library is such a gem. Even Audrey Fox, Clifton's Administrative Assistant, dropped in to say hello to the group. For me, I appreciated seeing Joan Brooks, Eddington Selectwoman, along with Karen Clark, SAD63 School Board member and a few other women I've come to know. Even more, it was a wonderful opportunity to meet more women in the area, although the event is open to men. I heard tell of the year "Red" Hodgers attended and was the hit of the party.
*****
I saw "my" red fox yesterday. What a surprise as I drove up the drive from a nearby relative's to the main Road (Route 9) and suddenly there she/he was running across the driveway. Not just red like earlier this Spring but with more black in his tail and darker brown tones in his coat as well. He looked longer, bigger, his legs longer with darker markings - just like those pictures in an English hunt (not that I'd want to see such a thing around here). Perhaps he was out hunting for he had nothing in his jaws at that point. Across the driveway he sprinted and into another relative's back wooded lot heading toward my place. (Wonder if he likes gray squirrels? Hmm. There are plenty to be had at my place I'd be more than willing for him to take care of.) Too big to be from the babies this Spring so it had to be one of the parents. Such a blessing I couldn't help but smile.
****
Well, I have to go dig "boulders" out of some "gravel" that was delivered a week ago for a walkway I'm creating at my backsteps. Seems as though there are some rocks in this gravel that are almost as big as the dirt I had dug out of the area in the first place. Thinking ahead to Freeze-Heave, I know those "boulders" have to come out before we can put in some better gravel and then the sand before we can put down the pavers. With west-coast family coming in three weeks, the project has its deadline - rain or no rain. And if it would just warm up and dry up, I might get the dock in. My brothers have theirs in - and both are now underwater! So much for needing any more rain! My dock is at least not under water - It's still on land. But the ground is so soggy, I fear we'd have muddy feet trying to roll it across the lawn and into the water.
Another problem with this wet (and now humid weather) is that we can't get rid of the mosquitoes or black flies. They just LOVE it - doin' their "sexy thing" 24/7. Speaking of which - if you have seen those TV commercials advertising those OFF clip-on blue fan gadgets... the ad shows them being placed on a deck table, too, for driving away mosquitoes - THEY WORK!
I bought three at Hannafords a few weeks ago for the crew that were chipping the stuff in my woods (written in a previous blog). Not a single mosquito bite. And I clip one on my pants when I'm working along the shoreline gardens - or anywhere these days outside what with the rain. (They don't do a thing for Black Flies, though.) But I swear - they really do work to keep mosquitoes away. And they're not expensive and they last a long time. I'm still working with the original batteries and repellent insert.
Well, off to those "boulders" before the showers predicted for later today.
The many women who attended were from Clifton and Eddington - and maybe other towns as well. I didn't have the opportunity to ask but I did have the benefit of finding four women who volunteered to be members of a writers' review and critique group. Now that was an additional benefit. And there was discussion of forming a book review group.
We even had the benefit of a very young gentleman from the Butterfield family who was so relaxed by the affair he slept through the entire event in the comforting arms on Caroline who sat in one of the library's wing-backed chairs. That library is such a gem. Even Audrey Fox, Clifton's Administrative Assistant, dropped in to say hello to the group. For me, I appreciated seeing Joan Brooks, Eddington Selectwoman, along with Karen Clark, SAD63 School Board member and a few other women I've come to know. Even more, it was a wonderful opportunity to meet more women in the area, although the event is open to men. I heard tell of the year "Red" Hodgers attended and was the hit of the party.
*****
I saw "my" red fox yesterday. What a surprise as I drove up the drive from a nearby relative's to the main Road (Route 9) and suddenly there she/he was running across the driveway. Not just red like earlier this Spring but with more black in his tail and darker brown tones in his coat as well. He looked longer, bigger, his legs longer with darker markings - just like those pictures in an English hunt (not that I'd want to see such a thing around here). Perhaps he was out hunting for he had nothing in his jaws at that point. Across the driveway he sprinted and into another relative's back wooded lot heading toward my place. (Wonder if he likes gray squirrels? Hmm. There are plenty to be had at my place I'd be more than willing for him to take care of.) Too big to be from the babies this Spring so it had to be one of the parents. Such a blessing I couldn't help but smile.
****
Well, I have to go dig "boulders" out of some "gravel" that was delivered a week ago for a walkway I'm creating at my backsteps. Seems as though there are some rocks in this gravel that are almost as big as the dirt I had dug out of the area in the first place. Thinking ahead to Freeze-Heave, I know those "boulders" have to come out before we can put in some better gravel and then the sand before we can put down the pavers. With west-coast family coming in three weeks, the project has its deadline - rain or no rain. And if it would just warm up and dry up, I might get the dock in. My brothers have theirs in - and both are now underwater! So much for needing any more rain! My dock is at least not under water - It's still on land. But the ground is so soggy, I fear we'd have muddy feet trying to roll it across the lawn and into the water.
Another problem with this wet (and now humid weather) is that we can't get rid of the mosquitoes or black flies. They just LOVE it - doin' their "sexy thing" 24/7. Speaking of which - if you have seen those TV commercials advertising those OFF clip-on blue fan gadgets... the ad shows them being placed on a deck table, too, for driving away mosquitoes - THEY WORK!
I bought three at Hannafords a few weeks ago for the crew that were chipping the stuff in my woods (written in a previous blog). Not a single mosquito bite. And I clip one on my pants when I'm working along the shoreline gardens - or anywhere these days outside what with the rain. (They don't do a thing for Black Flies, though.) But I swear - they really do work to keep mosquitoes away. And they're not expensive and they last a long time. I'm still working with the original batteries and repellent insert.
Well, off to those "boulders" before the showers predicted for later today.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
MY CRYSTAL BALL DID NOT FAIL ME - SCHOOL BOARD MEETING 6/22
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Varnum promptly at 6:30pm. Chris Ficket, rep from Clifton; Therese Anderson, rep from Eddington; Sylvia Ellis, rep from Holden; Ray Hart, Interim Superintendent; Don Varnum, rep from Holden; Karen Clark, rep from Eddington; Pam Dorr, rep from Eddington; and Kevin Mills, new rep from Holden, were in attendance. (NOTE: I have listed them in their seating order started from left to right.) Mario Teisl, rep from Holden, will return from authorized leave on August 24.
Immediately following the Flag Salute and Moment of Silence, Varnum called for Nominations for Chairman and it was "game on." Karen Clark nominated Kevin Mills. No one seconded the motion. The silence was deafening. Then Sylvia Ellis nominated Don Varnum and Therese Anderson seconded the motion. Varnum called for the vote which ended up as 5 For - 1 Opposed (Clark) and 1 Abstained (Dorr).
Then Varnum called for Nominations for Vice Chair. Sylvia Ellis nominated Therese Anderson. Chris Ficket seconded the motion. There were no other nominations. Varnum called for the vote which ended up as 5 For - 1 Opposed (Clark) and 1 Abstained (Dorr).
At that point the printed Agenda was changed to allow for the earlier than scheduled presentation of a Plaque of Appreciation to former Board rep Robert Kiah (from Holden) to Mrs. Kiah and two of the Kiah children who were anxious to get to the ball game next door to the Holden school. Mr. Kiah could not be present because he was at work.
Each of the three principals introduced a new teacher being recommended for appointment for his respective school.
Ashley Allen was introduced as the new Grade 1 Teacher for Eddington Elementary School. Ms. Allen is working toward her Master's degree in Intervention in Literacy and was highly recommended by her references and the Eddington School Principal.
Kara Emmons was introduced as the new Kindergarten Teacher for Holden Elementary School. Her background showed a progressive amount of experience and a desire to be a Kindergarten teacher since she was a child herself. She, too, was highly recommended for the position by the Holden School Principal.
Tanya Belanger was introduced as the new Grade 6 Teacher for the Holbrook Middle School. Mrs. Belanger has her Master's degree and is moving to this area from Fort Fairfield. One of her references stated that we might find someone as qualified but no one more so. She was highly recommended by the Holbrook Middle School Principal.
All three teachers were approved for the positions by the School Board.
Since the Board agreed to Varnum's suggestion for the Board to take the month of July off (meaning to hold no Board meetings) and will not meet until August 24, it was agreed that Hart would be given the authority to recruit an Ed. Tech for the Eddington School and a replacement Science Teacher for the Holbrook School, with the expectation that the Board will approve these individuals at the August Board meeting since school is expected to begin about that same time). It is hoped that all five of these new teachers, as well as all of the teachers at the district's three schools, will have the opportunity to be observed for no less than one full class during the next school year by both their principal and the Interim Superintendent.
At this point, it should be noted that in addition to those individuals already noted being present, there were two members from the Clifton Board of Selectmen in attendance, a representative of the Citizens Advisory Committee to the School Board's Budget and Finance Committee, the Eddington Town Manager and an Eddington Selectman, along with the district's Operations and Maintenance Manager and the district's technology specialist, as well as yours truly.
When it came to Committee Meetings, the Budget and Finance Committee meeting originally scheduled for July 8 has been put off to August 9 at 6:00p.m. at the Holbrook School. It was pointed out by Karen Clark that, under school law/policy, since Sylvia Ellis is the district's Warrant Officer, as such, she could not be the Interim Chair for the Budget & Finance committee simultaneously. (Mario will resume the position of Chair once he returns August 24.) Varnum seemed to think the rules could be waived for the July meeting but Karen pressed the issue that it was a matter of law. Things seemed to come to a standstill as though no one had a thought how to solve the dilemma until Hart proposed Therese Anderson, a member of the Budget and Finance Committee could take over the Chair position for the one meeting and that would resolve the situation. With the proviso that it would be for just one meeting, Therese agreed.
The Operations Committee meeting originally scheduled for June 22 has been put off to August 24 at 5:45 p.m. at the Holbrook School.
The Policy, Technology and RSU Consolidation Planning Committee meetings are all TBD (to be determined).
Therese stated the reason why the Curriculum Committee hasn't met for over a year is because they don't want to set any curriculum standards because other schools in the "potential/yet to be" consolidated school district may mandate their own curriculum. However, if any Principals have a problem currently, they can contact the Committee which will address whatever issue(s) may exist. In the meantime, the Principals are just dealing with the State DOE mandates. (Seems to me the rush to consolidation by the DOE was only concerned with fiscal issues. Nothing was said re: quality of education issues. So I'd be concerned re: focusing on State DOE curriculum mandates. I thought that was the purpose of a Board Curriculum Committee in the first place - and having two teachers on it. At least that's what Dorr campaigned on.)
The explanation, on its face, sounded reasonable but-if the Committee hasn't had at least two meetings in the last twelve months - and doesn't plan any for the next twelve for the same reason as given last night - why have such a committee at all? To go two years with no Curriculum Committee meeting on the possibility - even Mr. Hart's expectation - that there will be some kind of K-8 consolidated district when the quality of education is supposed to be the Board's current priority seems incongruous.
Since Karen Clark resigned from being the Board's rep on the Brewer High School Board (after being "protected" out of the Vice Chair position for having too many Committee assignments) Varnum took on that assignment when no one else volunteered. The "not my problem" look on Ms. Ellis' face was noted.
Committee Assignments (made at the close of the meeting):
Policy: Karen Clark, Chair; Pam Dorr, Therese Anderson
Budget & Finance: Mario Teisl, Chair; Sylvia Ellis, Therese Anderson
Operations: Sylvia Ellis, Chair; Karen Clark, Chris Ficket
Curriculum: Therese Anderson, Chair; Pam Dorr, Kevin Mills
UTC: Karen Clark, delegate
Technology Committee: George Cummings, SAD63 Technology Coordinator, Chair; Karen Clark, Sylvia Ellis
Brewer High School Board: Don Varnum, delegate
RSU: No appointments (see notes in other areas re: this issue)
Teachers Contract Negotiations: No appointments
Since Hart firmly believes the state's voting public will affirm in November the need for school consolidation (I don't agree), he also believes that SAD63 should have a consolidation plan in place that can be submitted to the Superintendent of DOE for approval shortly after the November election. By law, prior to such submission, Public Hearings and a Public Vote in each town that would be in said consolidation will be required - all of which will take time to conduct.
However, NO RSU Committee was initiated at last night's meeting - no members of the Board were even named to an RSU Committee - even though Kevin Mills' interest in being on that committee was acknowledged by Varnum and Karen Clark has previously stated her interest. Since Ms. Ellis served on the prior RSU Committee she can be expected to want to serve as well.
Question: Since the Board doesn't plan to meet again until August 24, and the public will be voting on the state-wide consolidation issue in November, how much work will an RSU Committee accomplish in only three months? Or - does Mr. Hart plan to develop his own plan and then expect the Board/RSU Committee to rubber stamp it? Or is such a plan not expected to be ready for submission to the public until late next Spring?
Somewhere along the road SOMEONE better plan to include the taxpayers/voters in this plan's development because the voters are the ones who will make the final and real decision. The voters may appear to be uninterested in Board activities but they are just sleeping tigers. They didn't buy into the last one and shouldn't be expected to buy into one where they are excluded from the table this time either. School Board members err when they believe they are not accountable to the taxpayers.
Jennifer Cammack, School Board member from Otis, introduced herself to the Board. Otis is in the area of Mariaville. Mariaville voted TO consolidate with Ellsworth last year. Otis voted NOT to consolidate. For the interim, Otis and Mariaville are utilizing the same building with some temporary financial arrangements. However, Otis is seeking options for consolidation partners. Otis currently has approximately 50 students. The SAD63 Board agreed to include Otis in any RSU discussions "TBD." An AOS format was the focus of last night's discussion (which appears to be a K-8 arrangement which (1) shares central office & administrative services, (2) maintains its own school boards, and (3) includes the high school option). It should be known that there's talk in the three towns by individuals are saying that with rising costs there may come a time when some changes will have to be put on the table re: the high school option - either reducing the number of schools in the "option" or requiring families to pay some amount above the state-based tuition, i.e., John Bapst rate that is approximately $1574 above the state-based tuition.
The 2010 census will provide critical information which School Boards will need to take into consideration when establishing salaries for all positions. Small towns simply do not have the income base to support higher salaries for either unionized or salaried positions. As an example, Clifton has a population of less than 800 people. Currently that town is contributing $47,000+ monthly toward the school budget. - For 158 students! If my numbers are correct (and I believe the monthly contribution will be increasing), that averages $3,570. per year per student. For a town with a population that has an average income significantly below the state's average income (with many retired on a fixed income - a major portion being social security), the tax base can be crippling. The School Board DOES have a responsibility to pay attention to this regardless of what some Board members appear to think.
LD285 - To Defer Penalties "Non-consolidation penalties" for One Year - the Governor signed the Executive Order which had been approved by the House and Senate (originally written to defer penalties for two years but via negotiations was reduced to one year). The incentive here is to give school districts one more year to come into compliance with the mandate to consolidate.
What will this mean to Clifton, Eddington, and Holden? The Good News = the State will not deduct the penalty assessed to our three towns = $163,167. from the State's allocation to the SAD63 school Budget. In theory this would reduce the amount of money each town would have to contribute to meet the approved budget. HOWEVER, since the voters did approve the budget as submitted which was $139,411 higher than 2008-2009, eliminating the penalty should bring the 2009-2010 budget in lower than the 2008-2009 budget. Except - since the budget was passed at the higher rate (without the waiver of the penalty assessment), does this mean we will be taxed to cover the higher school budget so the district can "pocket" the extra $163,167? We can only wait and see what our Town Managers can tell us after they get the bill from the school district's central office. One more reason why the School Board needs to understand their relationship to the taxpayers/voters in their home towns.
*****
In my "past life", meaning my career in California, the use of the word Interesting in a review of anything (a play, a piece of proposed legislation, the narrative included in a criminal's record that accompanies him/her to prison, an attorney's presentation to the jury, etc.) is basically the equivalent of raised eyebrows. It is not a glowing review. So when I say that attending School Board meetings and watching the human dynamics is Interesting, you know what I mean. More voters/taxpayers should start attending these meetings. You don't need to do anything but go and sit there in silence - just observe YOUR elected representatives "at work". And then remember when the time comes to vote for your town's next representative.
Immediately following the Flag Salute and Moment of Silence, Varnum called for Nominations for Chairman and it was "game on." Karen Clark nominated Kevin Mills. No one seconded the motion. The silence was deafening. Then Sylvia Ellis nominated Don Varnum and Therese Anderson seconded the motion. Varnum called for the vote which ended up as 5 For - 1 Opposed (Clark) and 1 Abstained (Dorr).
Then Varnum called for Nominations for Vice Chair. Sylvia Ellis nominated Therese Anderson. Chris Ficket seconded the motion. There were no other nominations. Varnum called for the vote which ended up as 5 For - 1 Opposed (Clark) and 1 Abstained (Dorr).
At that point the printed Agenda was changed to allow for the earlier than scheduled presentation of a Plaque of Appreciation to former Board rep Robert Kiah (from Holden) to Mrs. Kiah and two of the Kiah children who were anxious to get to the ball game next door to the Holden school. Mr. Kiah could not be present because he was at work.
Each of the three principals introduced a new teacher being recommended for appointment for his respective school.
Ashley Allen was introduced as the new Grade 1 Teacher for Eddington Elementary School. Ms. Allen is working toward her Master's degree in Intervention in Literacy and was highly recommended by her references and the Eddington School Principal.
Kara Emmons was introduced as the new Kindergarten Teacher for Holden Elementary School. Her background showed a progressive amount of experience and a desire to be a Kindergarten teacher since she was a child herself. She, too, was highly recommended for the position by the Holden School Principal.
Tanya Belanger was introduced as the new Grade 6 Teacher for the Holbrook Middle School. Mrs. Belanger has her Master's degree and is moving to this area from Fort Fairfield. One of her references stated that we might find someone as qualified but no one more so. She was highly recommended by the Holbrook Middle School Principal.
All three teachers were approved for the positions by the School Board.
Since the Board agreed to Varnum's suggestion for the Board to take the month of July off (meaning to hold no Board meetings) and will not meet until August 24, it was agreed that Hart would be given the authority to recruit an Ed. Tech for the Eddington School and a replacement Science Teacher for the Holbrook School, with the expectation that the Board will approve these individuals at the August Board meeting since school is expected to begin about that same time). It is hoped that all five of these new teachers, as well as all of the teachers at the district's three schools, will have the opportunity to be observed for no less than one full class during the next school year by both their principal and the Interim Superintendent.
At this point, it should be noted that in addition to those individuals already noted being present, there were two members from the Clifton Board of Selectmen in attendance, a representative of the Citizens Advisory Committee to the School Board's Budget and Finance Committee, the Eddington Town Manager and an Eddington Selectman, along with the district's Operations and Maintenance Manager and the district's technology specialist, as well as yours truly.
When it came to Committee Meetings, the Budget and Finance Committee meeting originally scheduled for July 8 has been put off to August 9 at 6:00p.m. at the Holbrook School. It was pointed out by Karen Clark that, under school law/policy, since Sylvia Ellis is the district's Warrant Officer, as such, she could not be the Interim Chair for the Budget & Finance committee simultaneously. (Mario will resume the position of Chair once he returns August 24.) Varnum seemed to think the rules could be waived for the July meeting but Karen pressed the issue that it was a matter of law. Things seemed to come to a standstill as though no one had a thought how to solve the dilemma until Hart proposed Therese Anderson, a member of the Budget and Finance Committee could take over the Chair position for the one meeting and that would resolve the situation. With the proviso that it would be for just one meeting, Therese agreed.
The Operations Committee meeting originally scheduled for June 22 has been put off to August 24 at 5:45 p.m. at the Holbrook School.
The Policy, Technology and RSU Consolidation Planning Committee meetings are all TBD (to be determined).
Therese stated the reason why the Curriculum Committee hasn't met for over a year is because they don't want to set any curriculum standards because other schools in the "potential/yet to be" consolidated school district may mandate their own curriculum. However, if any Principals have a problem currently, they can contact the Committee which will address whatever issue(s) may exist. In the meantime, the Principals are just dealing with the State DOE mandates. (Seems to me the rush to consolidation by the DOE was only concerned with fiscal issues. Nothing was said re: quality of education issues. So I'd be concerned re: focusing on State DOE curriculum mandates. I thought that was the purpose of a Board Curriculum Committee in the first place - and having two teachers on it. At least that's what Dorr campaigned on.)
The explanation, on its face, sounded reasonable but-if the Committee hasn't had at least two meetings in the last twelve months - and doesn't plan any for the next twelve for the same reason as given last night - why have such a committee at all? To go two years with no Curriculum Committee meeting on the possibility - even Mr. Hart's expectation - that there will be some kind of K-8 consolidated district when the quality of education is supposed to be the Board's current priority seems incongruous.
Since Karen Clark resigned from being the Board's rep on the Brewer High School Board (after being "protected" out of the Vice Chair position for having too many Committee assignments) Varnum took on that assignment when no one else volunteered. The "not my problem" look on Ms. Ellis' face was noted.
Committee Assignments (made at the close of the meeting):
Policy: Karen Clark, Chair; Pam Dorr, Therese Anderson
Budget & Finance: Mario Teisl, Chair; Sylvia Ellis, Therese Anderson
Operations: Sylvia Ellis, Chair; Karen Clark, Chris Ficket
Curriculum: Therese Anderson, Chair; Pam Dorr, Kevin Mills
UTC: Karen Clark, delegate
Technology Committee: George Cummings, SAD63 Technology Coordinator, Chair; Karen Clark, Sylvia Ellis
Brewer High School Board: Don Varnum, delegate
RSU: No appointments (see notes in other areas re: this issue)
Teachers Contract Negotiations: No appointments
Since Hart firmly believes the state's voting public will affirm in November the need for school consolidation (I don't agree), he also believes that SAD63 should have a consolidation plan in place that can be submitted to the Superintendent of DOE for approval shortly after the November election. By law, prior to such submission, Public Hearings and a Public Vote in each town that would be in said consolidation will be required - all of which will take time to conduct.
However, NO RSU Committee was initiated at last night's meeting - no members of the Board were even named to an RSU Committee - even though Kevin Mills' interest in being on that committee was acknowledged by Varnum and Karen Clark has previously stated her interest. Since Ms. Ellis served on the prior RSU Committee she can be expected to want to serve as well.
Question: Since the Board doesn't plan to meet again until August 24, and the public will be voting on the state-wide consolidation issue in November, how much work will an RSU Committee accomplish in only three months? Or - does Mr. Hart plan to develop his own plan and then expect the Board/RSU Committee to rubber stamp it? Or is such a plan not expected to be ready for submission to the public until late next Spring?
Somewhere along the road SOMEONE better plan to include the taxpayers/voters in this plan's development because the voters are the ones who will make the final and real decision. The voters may appear to be uninterested in Board activities but they are just sleeping tigers. They didn't buy into the last one and shouldn't be expected to buy into one where they are excluded from the table this time either. School Board members err when they believe they are not accountable to the taxpayers.
Jennifer Cammack, School Board member from Otis, introduced herself to the Board. Otis is in the area of Mariaville. Mariaville voted TO consolidate with Ellsworth last year. Otis voted NOT to consolidate. For the interim, Otis and Mariaville are utilizing the same building with some temporary financial arrangements. However, Otis is seeking options for consolidation partners. Otis currently has approximately 50 students. The SAD63 Board agreed to include Otis in any RSU discussions "TBD." An AOS format was the focus of last night's discussion (which appears to be a K-8 arrangement which (1) shares central office & administrative services, (2) maintains its own school boards, and (3) includes the high school option). It should be known that there's talk in the three towns by individuals are saying that with rising costs there may come a time when some changes will have to be put on the table re: the high school option - either reducing the number of schools in the "option" or requiring families to pay some amount above the state-based tuition, i.e., John Bapst rate that is approximately $1574 above the state-based tuition.
The 2010 census will provide critical information which School Boards will need to take into consideration when establishing salaries for all positions. Small towns simply do not have the income base to support higher salaries for either unionized or salaried positions. As an example, Clifton has a population of less than 800 people. Currently that town is contributing $47,000+ monthly toward the school budget. - For 158 students! If my numbers are correct (and I believe the monthly contribution will be increasing), that averages $3,570. per year per student. For a town with a population that has an average income significantly below the state's average income (with many retired on a fixed income - a major portion being social security), the tax base can be crippling. The School Board DOES have a responsibility to pay attention to this regardless of what some Board members appear to think.
LD285 - To Defer Penalties "Non-consolidation penalties" for One Year - the Governor signed the Executive Order which had been approved by the House and Senate (originally written to defer penalties for two years but via negotiations was reduced to one year). The incentive here is to give school districts one more year to come into compliance with the mandate to consolidate.
What will this mean to Clifton, Eddington, and Holden? The Good News = the State will not deduct the penalty assessed to our three towns = $163,167. from the State's allocation to the SAD63 school Budget. In theory this would reduce the amount of money each town would have to contribute to meet the approved budget. HOWEVER, since the voters did approve the budget as submitted which was $139,411 higher than 2008-2009, eliminating the penalty should bring the 2009-2010 budget in lower than the 2008-2009 budget. Except - since the budget was passed at the higher rate (without the waiver of the penalty assessment), does this mean we will be taxed to cover the higher school budget so the district can "pocket" the extra $163,167? We can only wait and see what our Town Managers can tell us after they get the bill from the school district's central office. One more reason why the School Board needs to understand their relationship to the taxpayers/voters in their home towns.
*****
In my "past life", meaning my career in California, the use of the word Interesting in a review of anything (a play, a piece of proposed legislation, the narrative included in a criminal's record that accompanies him/her to prison, an attorney's presentation to the jury, etc.) is basically the equivalent of raised eyebrows. It is not a glowing review. So when I say that attending School Board meetings and watching the human dynamics is Interesting, you know what I mean. More voters/taxpayers should start attending these meetings. You don't need to do anything but go and sit there in silence - just observe YOUR elected representatives "at work". And then remember when the time comes to vote for your town's next representative.
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Rain In Spain
May stay mainly in the plain - but it looks as though, around here, it's going to stay mainly in this part of the state this entire week. Only the northwestern part is expected to see any predictable sun. And summer started yesterday, at least according to the calendar (along with the Summer Solstice - the longest day, which was pretty gloomy for all of its 15 1/2 hours). Now the daily daylight clock will start to wind down minute by minute. Bummer.
There have been increasing numbers of yellow finches at the bird feeder this past week, although every once in a while there's a rosy red one. I spotted a pretty persistent one at the bird feed at the garden feeder at Clewley Farm Restaurant last week along with a few yellow finches, but I have entire squadrons swooping down on my feeder. They seem to enjoy hanging on the brackets of the flowering brackets suspended along the back porch nearby. Of course, if the feeder is too occupied, the birds have no problem dropping in to share the chipmunks' seeds in the three dishes spread out along the bench. Share and share alike as long as the marauding band of gray squirrels don't decide to take over. That's when I need to asset the arm of the law because those squirrels do not take a gentle "Shoo."
It appears I've had a deer traveling across the front lawn in the last week or so by the tracks in the seeded loam. Now if we just had some days for the loam to dry out. The grass is doing well -but the purpose was to fill in the holes created by digging out some boulders - not to create smaller holes created by hoof tracks. :-)
Speaking of holes - there has been a very large hole in the woods at the back of my home. I discovered it over the past year while cleaning up dead wood and dropped branches from winter weather. So while spending a weekend chipping the results of a Spring clean-up (I don't burn), it was my intention to fill the hole. Lo and behold, it appears there is a porcupine living down there in a section of the hole. What a dilemma.
I don't want to hurt/kill the porcupine - certainly don't want to rile him up - or, if it's a her, I don't want to disturb any babies. I certainly don't want it to decide to relocate under my porch. But that hole could trip up a person walking up through the woods or any of the herd of deer that use it during the Fall and Winter months. Anyone have any ideas?
I do remember that porcupines and skunks have the "Right of Way." As a child, when my family lived here at the Pond during the summers and into early Fall, we had a camp - not a year-round home. No in-door plumbing. There was a Ben Franklin wood stove in the main room and an ice box in the kitchen. And there was the "Cathedral" - the name for the outhouse, which my dad liberally sprinkled every day with the cold ashes from the wood stove. Last thing at night before going to bed, my brothers and I made that trip to the Cathedral, usually with a flashlight, hoping we were ahead of Mrs. Skunk and Mrs. Porcupine taking their children on a nightly stroll because those strolls always went directly across our beaten path to the Cathedral. No matter how desperate our need, Mrs. Skunk and Mrs. Porcupine had the right-of-way. And if they were too slow - or they had their children, we had to divert our trips into the woods. That was the way of the "camping experience" in those days - more than 55 years ago. I suppose one could consider it early composting.
And then there was the summer Mrs. Skunk decided to build her nest under the camp. You can be sure we were all especially carefully not to jump up and down and rough house in the main room that year.
There have been increasing numbers of yellow finches at the bird feeder this past week, although every once in a while there's a rosy red one. I spotted a pretty persistent one at the bird feed at the garden feeder at Clewley Farm Restaurant last week along with a few yellow finches, but I have entire squadrons swooping down on my feeder. They seem to enjoy hanging on the brackets of the flowering brackets suspended along the back porch nearby. Of course, if the feeder is too occupied, the birds have no problem dropping in to share the chipmunks' seeds in the three dishes spread out along the bench. Share and share alike as long as the marauding band of gray squirrels don't decide to take over. That's when I need to asset the arm of the law because those squirrels do not take a gentle "Shoo."
It appears I've had a deer traveling across the front lawn in the last week or so by the tracks in the seeded loam. Now if we just had some days for the loam to dry out. The grass is doing well -but the purpose was to fill in the holes created by digging out some boulders - not to create smaller holes created by hoof tracks. :-)
Speaking of holes - there has been a very large hole in the woods at the back of my home. I discovered it over the past year while cleaning up dead wood and dropped branches from winter weather. So while spending a weekend chipping the results of a Spring clean-up (I don't burn), it was my intention to fill the hole. Lo and behold, it appears there is a porcupine living down there in a section of the hole. What a dilemma.
I don't want to hurt/kill the porcupine - certainly don't want to rile him up - or, if it's a her, I don't want to disturb any babies. I certainly don't want it to decide to relocate under my porch. But that hole could trip up a person walking up through the woods or any of the herd of deer that use it during the Fall and Winter months. Anyone have any ideas?
I do remember that porcupines and skunks have the "Right of Way." As a child, when my family lived here at the Pond during the summers and into early Fall, we had a camp - not a year-round home. No in-door plumbing. There was a Ben Franklin wood stove in the main room and an ice box in the kitchen. And there was the "Cathedral" - the name for the outhouse, which my dad liberally sprinkled every day with the cold ashes from the wood stove. Last thing at night before going to bed, my brothers and I made that trip to the Cathedral, usually with a flashlight, hoping we were ahead of Mrs. Skunk and Mrs. Porcupine taking their children on a nightly stroll because those strolls always went directly across our beaten path to the Cathedral. No matter how desperate our need, Mrs. Skunk and Mrs. Porcupine had the right-of-way. And if they were too slow - or they had their children, we had to divert our trips into the woods. That was the way of the "camping experience" in those days - more than 55 years ago. I suppose one could consider it early composting.
And then there was the summer Mrs. Skunk decided to build her nest under the camp. You can be sure we were all especially carefully not to jump up and down and rough house in the main room that year.
Friday, June 19, 2009
RESEARCH, THOUGHTS & SCHOOL BOARD POLITICS
It took some digging through the SAD63 website to find out when the Board took the action to extend the Interim Superintendent's contract past it's original expiration date of 6/30/09 - as announced by the current Board Chairman, Don Varnum, at the June 4th Public Vote conducted at the Holbrook Middle School. Although Mr. Varnum has made comment that the action took pace this past February (2009) it doesn't show up until the April 2009 minutes. The Motion was made by Board member Sylvia Ellis, rep from Holden, and was Seconded by Karen Clark, rep from Eddington. When questioned, Mrs. Clark said she didn't remember the Motion or having seconded it - but there it is on the website.
Question: With no RSU Committee meetings having been scheduled (much less conducted) since the "NO" vote at the end of 2008, doesn't it seem strange for the Board to have taken such an action at that point? And with Mr. Hart, the Interim Superintendent, so firm in his belief that the statewide voters will affirm the requirement to consolidate, why hasn't the Board or the current Chairman at least started some kind of dialogue with the parents of the current students in our schools and the taxpayers as to what kind of consolidation we would support?
While we're on the topic of research, it was most interesting to discover how many years Mr. Varnum has been Chairman - or how consistent the position has been held by a representative from the town of Holden. I can see one reason for the Chair to be held by a Holden rep - Holden has 4 seats on the Board, Eddington has 3, and Clifton has 1 seat. Since the Chair cannot vote, that leaves an equal number of votes for Holden and Eddington - and then there's Clifton's vote. The Chair cannot vote unless there is a tie vote (and that can't happen if everyone shows up for the meeting and/or no one abstains, such as for reasons for Conflict of Interest).
It certainly wouldn't be equitable to have both the Chair AND Vice-Chair come from the same town. But maybe it would be good to have fresh ideas and opinions rotate through those seats periodically
Don Varnum has been the Chair ever since taking over the position when Pat Sirios resigned her seat on the Board, during which she was the elected Chair. (Pat reportedly resigned from stress associated from the on-going lawsuit. Mr. Varnum was appointed by Holden's Board of Selectmen to fill her position.) Pat was elected Chair when Robert Kiah beat out Don in an election for a seat on the Board - but then the Holden Selectmen sent him right back.
(Several people have told me there were two other candidates who put there names forward for the appointment, both of whom had been Board reps but that Don has close association with members of the Holden Selectmen. But Don had voted against terminating the former Superintendent, the one with whom the Board is now in litigation, so one might have considered the possibility of a possible Conflict of Interest in his selection.)
Prior to Don losing to Rob Kiah, Don was Chairman of the Board during his term. I can't be sure if he was Chair throughout his entire term but the only other name other name I could find, was a Doug Bosse, also a rep from Holden. So I can certainly understand when I hear people in Eddington say that Holden "runs" the school board.
In most organizations, a person sits in a "practice" seat such as a Vice-Chair or Vice-President for a certain period and then moves up. Apparently that doesn't happen in local politics (Selectmen or School Boards).
Maybe some kind of rotation of Board position would be good - healthy. After all, the Chair position is supposed to be one of objectivity, knowledge, an unbiased position. The current Vice Chair, Karen Clark, has been in that position for some time. So maybe some rotation would be good there, too. But who else on the Board has attended as many (or any) of the seminars and conferences on school law the way Karen has. Who else has shown the involvement in school board committees or has the history in union negotiations and consolidation that she has. It takes more than thinking such and such a rule or policy applies and then quoting the wrong one. It takes more than brushing aside employee contacts being changed (at the expense of the taxpayers) and letting them go unchecked by the Board for years at a time. It takes more than having another employee waive aside a School Board member's request for verification that appropriate taxes have been paid out of bonuses given to employees even if the Board didn't know about said bonuses at the time.
Being a leader means being knowledgeable - or at least open-minded enough to reach out and ask - to be inclusive to those who really do know the business and then be willing to do what needs to be done regardless of personal relationships AND in touch with the taxpayers as well as the teachers and families involved in our schools.
Perhaps some kind of criteria should be set for candidates for the position, such as having been the Chair of an ACTIVE committee for at least two years (active = having met at least five times during each of the two qualifying years.). Being Chair of an inactive committee would not qualify (inactive = meeting dates To Be Determined for months on end.) AND having been a committee member of at least one other ACTIVE committee for no less than one year. This would at least ensure that candidates for the Chair position would be knowledgeable about and committed to the workings of the Board in some areas.
Or - absent such criteria, perhaps the Chair should be someone who has no reputation (or public perception) of siding with or against individuals employed by the district or with/against groups (cliques?) on the Board. Perhaps in that way the Board could have a spokesperson who actively solicits input from ALL Board members and citizen advisory groups and thus forms a focused objective that will meet the needs of the district while being accountable to school families as well as the taxpayers (because the taxpayers are the ones who have to pay the bills after all).
If consolidation for SAD63 is to happen there need to be some changes in the current Board politics. As it is right now, there are serious issues that any other district will discover should the subject of consolidation come to the table, the least of which is the current lawsuit. The current Board's leadership knows what they are and has been preventing those issues from being addressed.
Question: With no RSU Committee meetings having been scheduled (much less conducted) since the "NO" vote at the end of 2008, doesn't it seem strange for the Board to have taken such an action at that point? And with Mr. Hart, the Interim Superintendent, so firm in his belief that the statewide voters will affirm the requirement to consolidate, why hasn't the Board or the current Chairman at least started some kind of dialogue with the parents of the current students in our schools and the taxpayers as to what kind of consolidation we would support?
While we're on the topic of research, it was most interesting to discover how many years Mr. Varnum has been Chairman - or how consistent the position has been held by a representative from the town of Holden. I can see one reason for the Chair to be held by a Holden rep - Holden has 4 seats on the Board, Eddington has 3, and Clifton has 1 seat. Since the Chair cannot vote, that leaves an equal number of votes for Holden and Eddington - and then there's Clifton's vote. The Chair cannot vote unless there is a tie vote (and that can't happen if everyone shows up for the meeting and/or no one abstains, such as for reasons for Conflict of Interest).
It certainly wouldn't be equitable to have both the Chair AND Vice-Chair come from the same town. But maybe it would be good to have fresh ideas and opinions rotate through those seats periodically
Don Varnum has been the Chair ever since taking over the position when Pat Sirios resigned her seat on the Board, during which she was the elected Chair. (Pat reportedly resigned from stress associated from the on-going lawsuit. Mr. Varnum was appointed by Holden's Board of Selectmen to fill her position.) Pat was elected Chair when Robert Kiah beat out Don in an election for a seat on the Board - but then the Holden Selectmen sent him right back.
(Several people have told me there were two other candidates who put there names forward for the appointment, both of whom had been Board reps but that Don has close association with members of the Holden Selectmen. But Don had voted against terminating the former Superintendent, the one with whom the Board is now in litigation, so one might have considered the possibility of a possible Conflict of Interest in his selection.)
Prior to Don losing to Rob Kiah, Don was Chairman of the Board during his term. I can't be sure if he was Chair throughout his entire term but the only other name other name I could find, was a Doug Bosse, also a rep from Holden. So I can certainly understand when I hear people in Eddington say that Holden "runs" the school board.
In most organizations, a person sits in a "practice" seat such as a Vice-Chair or Vice-President for a certain period and then moves up. Apparently that doesn't happen in local politics (Selectmen or School Boards).
Maybe some kind of rotation of Board position would be good - healthy. After all, the Chair position is supposed to be one of objectivity, knowledge, an unbiased position. The current Vice Chair, Karen Clark, has been in that position for some time. So maybe some rotation would be good there, too. But who else on the Board has attended as many (or any) of the seminars and conferences on school law the way Karen has. Who else has shown the involvement in school board committees or has the history in union negotiations and consolidation that she has. It takes more than thinking such and such a rule or policy applies and then quoting the wrong one. It takes more than brushing aside employee contacts being changed (at the expense of the taxpayers) and letting them go unchecked by the Board for years at a time. It takes more than having another employee waive aside a School Board member's request for verification that appropriate taxes have been paid out of bonuses given to employees even if the Board didn't know about said bonuses at the time.
Being a leader means being knowledgeable - or at least open-minded enough to reach out and ask - to be inclusive to those who really do know the business and then be willing to do what needs to be done regardless of personal relationships AND in touch with the taxpayers as well as the teachers and families involved in our schools.
Perhaps some kind of criteria should be set for candidates for the position, such as having been the Chair of an ACTIVE committee for at least two years (active = having met at least five times during each of the two qualifying years.). Being Chair of an inactive committee would not qualify (inactive = meeting dates To Be Determined for months on end.) AND having been a committee member of at least one other ACTIVE committee for no less than one year. This would at least ensure that candidates for the Chair position would be knowledgeable about and committed to the workings of the Board in some areas.
Or - absent such criteria, perhaps the Chair should be someone who has no reputation (or public perception) of siding with or against individuals employed by the district or with/against groups (cliques?) on the Board. Perhaps in that way the Board could have a spokesperson who actively solicits input from ALL Board members and citizen advisory groups and thus forms a focused objective that will meet the needs of the district while being accountable to school families as well as the taxpayers (because the taxpayers are the ones who have to pay the bills after all).
If consolidation for SAD63 is to happen there need to be some changes in the current Board politics. As it is right now, there are serious issues that any other district will discover should the subject of consolidation come to the table, the least of which is the current lawsuit. The current Board's leadership knows what they are and has been preventing those issues from being addressed.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
"HAPPENINGS" IN THE AREA
EDDINGTON SELECTMEN'S MEETING - Tuesday, the 16th -
The next School Board meeting will be this coming Monday night, the 22nd, at 6:30pm, which will be held at the Holden School. The agenda will include the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the School Board. The Board Chair expressed appreciation on behalf of the full Board for the work Karen does as a School Board member on behalf of the town and her on-going involvement with the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Charles Baker said he would try to attend the next School Board meeting.
NOTE: With Mario Tiesl, rep from Holden, on leave until August 15, there will only be seven School Board members in attendance.
The Eddington Farmers' Market will have its Opening Day, Sunday, July 5 - from 10AM to 1PM. It will be held in the Parking Lot of the Eddington Town Office. The Market will be open on Sundays only from July 5 through September 27 with a possible extension into October depending on the weather and the amount of market attendance.
The By-Laws and Site map (for the vendors and parking) have been received. All official documents will be signed next Tuesday, the 23rd, at a short meeting of the Selectmen. Fliers for the Farmers' Market were delivered to the SAD63 schools for the children to take home this past Monday or Tuesday to alert families.
The developing Town Website is moving right along. The name has been registered as www.Eddingtonmaine.gov Gretchen and Craig are working on the design and development. Hopefully it will be up and running before mid-summer.
It was also noted that Craig graduated this past may with a B.A. in Fire Sciences. Craig will be working at the Eddington Fire Department this summer for 40 hours a week. Sounds like he's going to be busy (not to mention a great asset to the town).
The first edition of the new Eddington Newsletter should be in the mail within the next week and a half. Karen Clark reported that she had obtained various price quotes for the printing 1,000 copies. Her daughter will do the folding. Fliers for the Farmers Market will also be included. People will have the option of signing up for future editions to be "delivered" via the website or their email addresses, both of which will reduce postage costs. The newsletter will include articles about the functions of the Planning Board, the Fire Department, the Board of Selectmen, and profiles of the individuals who serve our community and why they have chosen to serve. Special articles will be included in future editions as the town seeks to expand communication between the various groups that are active in Eddington and our residents.
Richard Bowden, President of the Eddington Historical Society, made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen regarding the activities of the Society. He talked about the many artifacts and pieces of historical equipment that have been collected over the years and a need for a place to store and exhibit them. An extensive discussion took place at the end of the official agenda (during the Public Access portion) regarding possible sources for grants which might be sought for an Historical Museum - perhaps in conjunction with an Eddington Public Library.
Praise was given for the on-going notices on the Town Office sign including the notice of the Selectmen's Meeting. There is LIFE IN EDDINGTON!
******
You're sure to want to drop by Comins Hall this Saturday and Sunday, the 20th and 21st, for the Grand Yard Sale that will be going on. Who knows what treasures you'll find for mere pennies on the dollar. And if you have something you want to sell (or practically give away), what better chance than this one?
******
Plan to attend the "Mad Hatter's Tea" at the Clifton Library next Wednesday, the 24th, from 2PM - 4PM. (I just gave it the name - Mad Hatter's :-) because I think it's cute, and because I love the idea of wearing a fancy or creative hat - anything to get out of these garden grubbies). But I'm told you don't need to wear a hat, just come and enjoy the library and the people and have a cup of lovely tea. You don't even need to be a resident of Clifton which is pretty neighborly, I think.
If you've never been to the Clifton Library, it's located in the Clifton Town Office on Route 9 about 1 mile or so past Tradewinds on the right hand side. The Librarian is Caroline Baker, mother of Chuck Baker who is an Eddington Selectman. Caroline knows just about everything about each book in the library and loves a good book.
Karen Clark gave the School Board report which included the Town-by-Town voting results of the School Budget referendum (see my earlier blog). She also reported that UTC has offered to conduct energy efficiency tests at the schools free of charge during the coming school year.
The next School Board meeting will be this coming Monday night, the 22nd, at 6:30pm, which will be held at the Holden School. The agenda will include the election of the Chair and Vice Chair of the School Board. The Board Chair expressed appreciation on behalf of the full Board for the work Karen does as a School Board member on behalf of the town and her on-going involvement with the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Charles Baker said he would try to attend the next School Board meeting.
NOTE: With Mario Tiesl, rep from Holden, on leave until August 15, there will only be seven School Board members in attendance.
The Eddington Farmers' Market will have its Opening Day, Sunday, July 5 - from 10AM to 1PM. It will be held in the Parking Lot of the Eddington Town Office. The Market will be open on Sundays only from July 5 through September 27 with a possible extension into October depending on the weather and the amount of market attendance.
The By-Laws and Site map (for the vendors and parking) have been received. All official documents will be signed next Tuesday, the 23rd, at a short meeting of the Selectmen. Fliers for the Farmers' Market were delivered to the SAD63 schools for the children to take home this past Monday or Tuesday to alert families.
The developing Town Website is moving right along. The name has been registered as www.Eddingtonmaine.gov Gretchen and Craig are working on the design and development. Hopefully it will be up and running before mid-summer.
It was also noted that Craig graduated this past may with a B.A. in Fire Sciences. Craig will be working at the Eddington Fire Department this summer for 40 hours a week. Sounds like he's going to be busy (not to mention a great asset to the town).
The first edition of the new Eddington Newsletter should be in the mail within the next week and a half. Karen Clark reported that she had obtained various price quotes for the printing 1,000 copies. Her daughter will do the folding. Fliers for the Farmers Market will also be included. People will have the option of signing up for future editions to be "delivered" via the website or their email addresses, both of which will reduce postage costs. The newsletter will include articles about the functions of the Planning Board, the Fire Department, the Board of Selectmen, and profiles of the individuals who serve our community and why they have chosen to serve. Special articles will be included in future editions as the town seeks to expand communication between the various groups that are active in Eddington and our residents.
Richard Bowden, President of the Eddington Historical Society, made a presentation to the Board of Selectmen regarding the activities of the Society. He talked about the many artifacts and pieces of historical equipment that have been collected over the years and a need for a place to store and exhibit them. An extensive discussion took place at the end of the official agenda (during the Public Access portion) regarding possible sources for grants which might be sought for an Historical Museum - perhaps in conjunction with an Eddington Public Library.
Praise was given for the on-going notices on the Town Office sign including the notice of the Selectmen's Meeting. There is LIFE IN EDDINGTON!
******
You're sure to want to drop by Comins Hall this Saturday and Sunday, the 20th and 21st, for the Grand Yard Sale that will be going on. Who knows what treasures you'll find for mere pennies on the dollar. And if you have something you want to sell (or practically give away), what better chance than this one?
******
Plan to attend the "Mad Hatter's Tea" at the Clifton Library next Wednesday, the 24th, from 2PM - 4PM. (I just gave it the name - Mad Hatter's :-) because I think it's cute, and because I love the idea of wearing a fancy or creative hat - anything to get out of these garden grubbies). But I'm told you don't need to wear a hat, just come and enjoy the library and the people and have a cup of lovely tea. You don't even need to be a resident of Clifton which is pretty neighborly, I think.
If you've never been to the Clifton Library, it's located in the Clifton Town Office on Route 9 about 1 mile or so past Tradewinds on the right hand side. The Librarian is Caroline Baker, mother of Chuck Baker who is an Eddington Selectman. Caroline knows just about everything about each book in the library and loves a good book.
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