Clifton Man Sailer for New Independence

Sailor from Clifton eager for new Independence

By Nok-Noi Ricker
BDN Staff


BANGOR, Maine — The U.S. Navy has a pretty neat new boat in the water, and a man who grew up in Clifton is one of its 40-sailor crew.

Petty Officer 1st Class Bryan Hayes is a gas turbine technician aboard the USS Independence, a 418-foot trimaran, or three-hull, warship built for speed and its ability to travel into shallow waters.

“I’m working towards taking over the ship and sailing it” someday, Hayes said this week by phone from Mobile, Ala., where the vessel was built and will be commissioned into the Navy’s fleet on Jan. 16.

The vessel has two crews, and Hayes, a 1997 Brewer High School graduate, is an engineer on the first crew. He, along with the rest of the crew members, wear three or four other hats and work alongside automated machinery within the next-generation vessel.

“It’s the Navy’s newest program, and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen,” Jan Bowers, a Navy spokeswoman based in California, said this week of the Independence. “She can turn on a dime … [and] Bryan is part of a revolutionary crew.”

When Hayes, 30, recently re-enlisted aboard the newfangled littoral combat ship, he was the first sailor to do so, Lt. Cmdr. Chris Servello said.

“He kind of made history,” he said.

Hayes joined the Navy in 1998, after working for Getchell Bros. of Brewer for a year after high school. He spent 8½ years working with the Navy’s hoverboat program, and said the second he saw the Independence — with its distinctive aluminum hull, massive steerable waterjets and automated systems — that he knew he wanted to be a part of the pilot program.

“It’s a new, interesting boat,” he said. “I thought, ‘It’s pretty cool-looking and I want to be involved with it.’ It has new technology and it’s a new way of thinking for the Navy.”

The trimaran hull shape allows for a wide flight deck that can accommodate a helicopter and can handle choppy seas, and the boat has interchangeable equipment, including an unmanned submarine, which can be swapped out to match up with the type of mission the vessel is on.

The Navy is planning to build a fleet of new littoral combat ships, and is trying to decide between two prototypes — the trimaran Independence built by General Dynamics Corp., parent company of Bath Iron Works, and the Freedom, a monohull built by Lockheed Martin Corp.

The Independence, dubbed the LCS2, was built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., and the lead contractor was BIW. The 378-foot Freedom, the LCS1, has a steel hull and looks like a conventional warship. It was built by Lockheed in Marinette, Wis.

The costs of the two ships is about double the originally estimates of $220 million because the Navy wanted them built faster and with specific requirements for technology, speed and shallow-water accessibility.

The Independence reached highway speeds — 44 knots, or 52 mph — and maintained them for four hours during its Navy acceptance trials, held with in the Gulf of Mexico during mid-November.

The November issue of BIW News called this “a milestone achievement” for the entire General Dynamics littoral combat ship team that “reflects the significant contributions of many BIW mechanics, engineers and other specialists.”

The new Independence is the seventh naval ship with that name. The first Independence was commissioned in 1776, and No. 6 was decommissioned in September 1998, around the time Hayes joined the Navy.

Hayes, who says the ship is fast and fun, has sent photos of the Independence to his children, Auden, 9, and Willow, 5, who live in Hampden, and his mom, Kim Hayes-Gray, who last month moved from Clifton to Daytona Beach, Fla.

“That was what drew him,” she said this week. “That and the fact it’s a prototype. He did get a chance to go in the cockpit [bridge] when they went out on trials, and he was pretty excited about that.”

Hayes-Gray said that she is proud of her son for what he has accomplished.

“It has been a good direction for him,” she said.

Hayes, who keeps in touch with his children and his mom with Skype, a Web-based video conferencing system, is scheduled to fly to Las Vegas to get married to fellow sailor Aliscia Russo on Dec. 20, then into Bangor International Airport on Dec. 23.

“I will be home for the holidays,” he said.

American Dream - Is It a Joke?

How do you do it? Some day we would all love to live the American Dream, own a piece of land, a house, have a nice car, travel, take the kids on a trip to disney, get a flatscreen TV, maybe an ATV or snowsled, stay at a lodge or just buy a new video game controller. Its all a ploy - we may never get ahead.

We live in a trailer, the three of us and occasionaly a friend stays over (more food, water and power), lol.

So lets look at a few costs and see what it is going to take to make this work. Yes I will put the wife to work and create a latch key kid with no parent around to guide or direct the children. Oops now I need two vehicles
Lets Do This By Month
Food $300 easy
Clothing $50
Christmas $50
Rent $500
Heat $125 average
Electric $125
Renter Insurance $65
Car Insurance - $100
Kids lunch and school fees $50
Sports $25
Eat Out maybe a movie $100
Water-Sewer $60
Health Insurance $350
Telephone $50
Internet $30
Cell Phone $40
Savings Joke
Church 10%
Car Payment $300
Gasoline $200
Child Care $475
Travel, vacation Joke
Oh did you forget your hunting, fishing, boating, ATV, Sled registration, maybe your car registrations, permits, licenses to work, additional training, birthday gifts, medical and drug co pays....keep adding to the list.
This bare budget comes to $36,000 a year
So we work 40 hours a week, call it 80 hours with both working, that 4160 hours a year without vacation, time off, sick or layed off. In order for this to work we each have to make around $14 an hour!!! Your thinking less, but you forgot State, Federal, FICA and Medicare about 30% or your wage. I have worked at the same job for a number of years with college education and don't make this kind of money. I am being to believe we should have stayed in a camp, self educated or try communial living with family (no I guess that isn't about to happen either). So before you get that new charge card and go wild shopping think about how long it is going to take us to pay it back - I am writing this as they shop. Happy Holidyas

Drinking and the Law

Let me start by being very clear! I have no issue with proper use of alochol and drinking, personally I enjoy JD and light beer. However I do have a problem with drinking and driving (OUI/DWI), and more concern about underage drinking. Having been hit head on a few years ago by a drunk driver going the wrong way on a one way street and the surgery our family went through - see no reason in this day and age not to be responsible and make a plan before you drink, especially if you know you are going to need a ride. I noticed youth in our community, under the age of 21, drinking and driving on what is getting to be a regular basis. I don't know, short of calling the law, what we can do for education to our youth that will hit home the point of one - don't drink underage and two don't drink and drive - period. I understand the voting age is 18, driving is age 16 and if in the military you could be stationed in country that has a lower drinking age than 21. I have heard about every education point on underage drinking and driving there is, lectures, mock accidents, fake trials, posters, family loss and a long list. The only thing that seems to have some impact is contactig the parents or the law. At times neither can be pleasent - but if the alochol comes from home or is condoned it creates a bigger problem. I am thinking is I shoot a deer at night, I get a minimum $1,000 fine, loss of firearm, vehicle and right to hunt for a while. If I get caught underage it a small fire and driving drunk get maybe $500 fine, a few hours community service work or 48 hours in jail. Maybe if we looked at increasing the penalty to say $1,000 and loss of the vehicle (seize it) folks would think twice about drinking and driving. This is a subject that many don't like to talk about and certainly not in a small town - but the issue is here and we need to think of an action plan, before we attend services for one of our youth! Any new ideas on education?

Ice and Fishing

I realize that some are ready to fish, and warm waters can be fished from the time the ice covers the water. As a trapper and one doing the daily search for beaver and such I can tell you that the ice is not ready yet. No matter how solid the cove looks or the sheet around the dock, please don't venture yet on the ice. The water is cold, about 33 degrees. And speaking from today, when you go through and get wet, it is not fun and will be life threathing. So parents keep an eye on the kids near those backyard ponds and coves that are starting to ice over.

Snow and Plowing

By the looks of things in the last 96 hours, winter has arrived early! Rain, wind, sleet, snow and more. Some of you lost power over the weekend for about seven hours (2am to about 9am)a result of a breaker trip on Route 9. The road crew is out plowing and sanding, salting as needed. Thanks to the efforts of Penny, the DOT did some work to the most troubling road, route 180. Aside from the S turns and high hill, 180 receives very little winter sun to melt the ice. The DOT did do some triming, ditching and grading, but without major reconstruction it can still be a dangerous road system. Depending on the time of day, based on the suns movement, the ride up or down Rebel Hill can be somewhat like a roller coaster. As I mentioned there is no one solution to the road problems, short of total reconstruction. A State Trooper was interviewed on the news the other day regarding people going off the road in the winter. The trooper stated he always asks the drivers, if you had been going 15mph slower do you think you would have gone off the road - he said the answer is always no. So when traveling 180 keep your eyes open, watch for other vehicles and take it easy, especially on the S turns from Route 9 to the Spring Pond Road.

C.C.C. Concerned Citizens of Clifton

Again one of Maine's small communities, at the far edge of the county, seperated from the county seatby distance and a large native waterway is in for a struggle.

Population 743 men, women and children, 10% unemployment, rising taxes and no major employer.

A place were customers/residents don't have stocks, bonds, bars of gold, treasury notes or large stashes of cash...what they do have is their land, it is their only family investment they can afford (and some are in fear of losing that).

We enjoy a simple life, hunting, fishing, sledding and riding our ATV, coffee at the store and visiting the library, most folks want to be left alone to enjoy what they think is theirs.

Work continues on a massive overhaul of a land use ordiance that is scheduled to be presented at spring meeting 2010. An ordinance that will restrict land owner rights, change shoreland zoning and even limit where you can build. As was reported to me, a group called Concerned Citizens of Clifton is forming to defeat this measure and hope to convince the selectboard not to even place it on the warrant for spring meeting. A motion to "passover" could be in order. Why not be like other towns and use the state shoreland ordinacne is there a special reason we need to have higher standards. In fact they would like the board, which asked for a simple ordinance years ago to stop work on drafting the document and go back to page one. Maybe let the CEO who deals with issues daily suggest or draft an ordinance what he feels might be workable for his job.

The more we pick on our neighbors for stupid things just puts more fuel in the fire to stop work on this ordinance. An example of "emotional distrubed" things is a matter, as reported, heading to the planning board. It appears that a person owns a small construction business, having a dump truck and small tractor. At night this person brings the truck home from the job and parks it on his property. Some think person is running a business from their home and should have a commerical permit. My thought and others - hogwash. So everyone who brings home a company truck running a business at their home. A local guy who hires out his tractor to bush hog, he is running a business? How about the logger with the skidder in the yard - a business? Oh wait what if you plow driveways and the plow is in your yard? The list goes on and on...this is just plan nuts or spiteful, certainly not what I would call a church going way. Yet some want more ordinances! We aren't even there yet and see what is happening around town. In my view someone should just be slapped side of the head for even bringing things like the up...which again leads me to wonder why it is going to the planning board. File a complaint with the CEO, he will investigate and issue findings. If action is needed the CEO will go to the board of selectman for funding (use your tax dollars) to cause legal action. Complaints like this should not be at the planning board. Its getting to the point that maybe we need to put our signs that snoopers are not allowed. What do you think, do you think parking your company vehicle in your dooryard should require a permit and planning board approval?

Enforcement Thoughts

The town and board of selectman employ a CEO (Code Enforcement Officer), who also reviews plumbing and electrical. The CEO reports to the and works with the planning board. The CEO is charged with certain duties by the board, some of which involve issuing permits and enforcement of ordinances.

There seems to a lot of customers concerned with other customers in town and what neighbords are doing on their property. In looking over the minutes it suggests that concerns or complaints are being reviewed by the planning board, not the CEO and select board.

If a customer feels the need to question what another customer or neighbor is doing, permit concerns or what they feel should not be doing. The complaint should be clearly directed to the CEO not the planning board. The CEO will investigate and report the findings to the selectboard and reporting customer. The selectboard makes final decisions on filing of lawsuits and enforcement costs. Once the planning board has issued the permit - follow up and concerns rest with the CEO and selectboard. That the way the law was created and the way it should be - providing checks and balances. Having the planning board investigating complaints is their action, but that of the CEO, thus removing bias and conficts. There must not be much to do if customers are worried about other customers. The CEO is well qualified, training and educated, providing a great service for the dollars provided. After your permit is issued or if someone complains who do you expect to see knocking at your talking or giving you a phone call to explain the rules?

Do We Need Planning Board?

Maine law does not require a Planning Board. If a town elects not to have a planning board the board of selectman become the permit reviewers.

Population of 743 men, women and children, with 10% unemployment, over $5,000 in planning board expenses, less than 20 new construction permits issued for the year.

Is there any reason that the CEO can not review all applications, and issue permits, expect those requiring review (those would go before the board of selectman).

A reasonable person would entertain that based on costs, town values and the number of permits issued that abolishing the planning board and having the select baord review the work of the CEO would be a smart move. It also would provide the select board with direct oversight with CEO and board, stream line the process and provide direct contact. Do you think this would make things simplified in government for you the customer?

Do Whats Right!

Abatement of taxes is a special issue when it comes to town's and cities across Maine. There are also very specfic statutes outlining how and when abatements can be given by the selectboard. Recently requests were made for abatement. In reviewing the matter it was found that the assessor agent and town select board as the assessors had made some serious mistakes in evaluation of a customers property. The customer requested an abatement. Mistakes were made, for whatever reason, and when it comes to over charging a tax payer by thousands there is zero room for mistakes in a small town. The select board wanted to grant a refund or abatement to the customer. It now appears that under Maine law we can not provide such abatement because the customer who is untrained, not a professional assessor or appraiser did not file a complaint within a proper time period of 180 days of being notified. Although the customer did call (verabal) and ask staff about the tax bill, they never filed a written appeal, nor were they told they could file for abatement. How would the average person know there rights? I would suggest that on the tax bill a statement be included telling the customer they have rights - if they disagree with the assessment or evalulation they need to file a request for abatemetn within 180 days of receiving the tax notice. So there are multiple errors in the tax evaluation and over a thousand dollars owed for at least a three year period. Request for refund denied - why because the law court says assessor make mistakes because of being overworked and balancing such paperwork is inherent to mistakes. Incompentance or igornance I was always told was not an excuse. Try telling a judge you didn't know the law, you forgot or were asleep at the wheel. This is just not right, we as the town made a mistake and we should fix and refund the overcharge to our customer, you the tax payer. What do you think, if you found out you were overcharged for a product, would you want a refund?

November Selectman Highlights

November 18, 2009 Selectmen Meeting Highlights
Planning board report (Paula) and discussion on wind farm coming to Planning Board. Should be do a new ordinance, incorp in the LUO, do a moratorium or get more information – get more information. Asked CEO for his thoughts and he suggested a standalone ordinance as reported in the planning board minutes

CEO Report – discussion on fencing and Gates hearing. It appears that subject owns a construction business and parks his dump truck and small tractor in his yard. Is this a business? Also building permit to Frank on Mill Lane up for discussion as it has expired. Planning board to consider these things.

ACO discussion on Mr. Walsh resigning, Pelkey is interested; she is doing three or four other neighboring towns. Wait until Mr. Walsh resigns.

Question about fire budget from Eddington, no information yet.

Long discussion on SAD63 its expenses, operations, land deals and joint eeting with Eddington Select board next week. Rusty Gagnon provided information to the board – good discussion. Also the 2009 Maine Piglet Book on government waste in Maine

Discussion on selectman and school board positions, papers will be out in December 20back by January 29th with 25 registered voters of the town required to sign.

Discussions on abatements – while the town overtaxed and make mistake we cannot under law provide a refund.

Legal reports that we cannot waive interest to Carle monies owed.

Ed reported on Chick Hill Road condition.

Paula asked where the funds from the Bradley lease/rent go and if the voters of the leglistiative body had approved the board to enter into this agreement. Will be sent out for review.

Will close eve of Thanksgiving and Christmas at 2pm.

Plowing and sanding contract signed. $38,964 for year 09-10

Discussion on properties to be foreclosed on 12/10/09 for failure to pay taxes in 2007. There are fifteen on the list provided.

November 16, 2009 Selectman Meeting Highlights
This was a budget meeting to start work on the 2009-2010 budget and material for spring 2010 meeting. See budget report separate.

October 21, 2009 Selectman Meeting Highlights
• Public Hearing on General Assistance – update of policy
• Mowing contract awarded for $4,600 per year, 3 year contract
• Phyllis Carle asked the selectman to waive the interest on the amount owed the town from the legal proceedings and clean up. Voted to waive interest as long as payments were being made.
• N. Hatch reported on the Route 180 cemetery, new addition and layout. $2,040 to have survey and pins for each plot installed.
• Report on the building permit issue at Parks Pond, permit had been issued.
• Discussion of various abatements from mistakes made by assessor. However it appears that under Maine law we cannot refund or abate the mistake.
• Report on Hopkins Pond road signs missing (Route 180).
• Approved Snowmobile Club using the meeting room for the winter.
• Approved girl scouts to have a bake sale during Election Day.
• Discussion on creating and ¼ newsletter that would pay for itself through ads.
• Grading of roads completed, suggested that we may want to consider doing it three times a year.
• Sand bid awarded was $580 more than what was budgeted.
• Special thanks to Jay Perry for flag work on poles.
• Discussion on trash issues. Trash must be contained so no animals or birds or elements can spread contents on ground. No bags over 40 pounds. Trash not to be in road way or interfere with plowing.
• ACO and CEO report
• Discussion on purchasing water and water cooler for town office since the water from the well is not ok to drink. Approved to come from building account.

Where Have I Been County Budget

Wow Rusty commented to me at last nights selectman meeting that I had not been posting much - or anything in the last month. So long in fact I to look up my password for this blog. For that I am sorry.

My Tic Off of the day is the Increase in County Tax. The county passes its budget which is then billed to each town based on evaulation. There is no say or ability to reject - the town must pay the tax. There was a serious increase to our little town last year - we are almost paying $70,000 a year. Everyone is cutting, state, local, businesses. There are no raises being given by employers, we are lucky to have a job. So how can the three commissioners knowing this vote for another tax increase. The mill rate was 1.071 and is now scheduled to be 1.118. A few thoughts, Rusty with your back ground you might like this. Maine law enforcement uses State Police, Game Wardens, local police and county sheriff. With the way Maine is layout there is one to many layers of law enforcement and the easist to reduce is county sheriff patrol, letting the state police provide the coverage. Heck with the budget the way it is, the county already does sharing and has periods without coverage. This will strike a nerve and I am sure anyone with law enforcement background - especially at the county level will defend the county patrol, so I expect that. But folks times are hard and we need to really look deep into the budget. Second why not let the towns from which folks are arrested pay for the jail? if 51% of the arrests are from Bangor, let Bangor pay 51% of the jail budget. We all knew when county dispatch came on line that local control was going to be lost, but we never expected continuous budget increases

Yes to TABOR

Vote for TABOR II and lets take back control and put it in the hands of the citizens where it belongs. We as landowners have rights and those rights are afforded to us as citizens and by those who fought for freedom. It is just unamerican to be attempting to control anothers property and borders on being a communist.

From BDN 10-17-09
SANGERVILLE, Maine — The Sangerville Planning Board has found the state’s new guidelines for municipal shoreland zoning ordinances not to its liking.

The board, which took its concerns about the new regulations to selectmen Tuesday, was advised to poll officials in surrounding towns to gauge the support or nonsupport of the new guidelines. It also was suggested that the planning board relay its concerns to local legislators and senators.

The legal deadline for towns to have updated their shoreland zoning ordinances was July 1, 2009, according to Stephanie MacLagan, the Department of Environmental Protection’s shoreland zoning coordinator. If a town has not adopted its own ordinance, a state ordinance will be imposed, she said Friday.

The DEP is working toward the state-imposed ordinance, but it will take time before it is adopted because of the mapping requirements, she noted. In the interim, towns can continue to work on their documents, she said. MacLagan said even if the state imposes an ordinance, towns later could adopt their own ordinance and maps if the information provided is acceptable to the DEP.

The Sangerville Planning Board recommended to selectmen this week that residents vote on the new guidelines at the annual town meeting.

Individually, the planning board members had a variety of concerns, including the fact that the Resource Protection District was enlarged, yet the town had no way to identify the affected areas without a map of the General Development and Timber Harvesting districts, according to planning board Chairman Gerald Peters. He said the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife had provided the town with a map of wildlife protection areas. In addition, the board believes the changes make it more restrictive for landowners, who won’t enjoy the benefits they once had, he said Friday.

Planning board member Irving McNaughton said the DEP has changed the rules six times since 1990. “I expect the state will continue to impose changes and it’s time for the town to say, ‘No, enough is enough,’” McNaughton said Friday.

“They are just too restrictive,” he said of the changes. He added that the town couldn’t afford the additional administrative costs.

Peters, who expects the DEP will impose the new changes on the town regardless of the board’s actions, predicted that it would cost three times as much to enforce the changes. He said the code enforcement officer receives only $3,000 for the job and this would triple his work.

MacLagan said she did not feel the new amendments would impose an additional financial burden on communities. She said the Sangerville board has not been “very communicative” with her. Of the 453 Maine communities, only 50, including Sangerville, are “missing in action,” she said. That means they haven’t contacted the DEP about the status of the review process, she said.

Taxes and Election Year

Vehicle Excise tax is a hot issue, as are most tax issues. But come November the voter will have a chance to decide on a couple of tax measures. First let me state that I support an increase in sales tax and flat federal tax, maybe even a federal sales tax. But with that do away with the current income tax system. This way EVERYONE pays and the higher bracket purchasing high end items will pay more. But back to Vehicle Excise tax - I beleive that any rate of any fee, license, charge or tax should be directly related to the purpose for which it was collected - not just another way to collect or raise money for government. With that said, excise tax is not 100% used for local road repair - with that in mind and the fact that many folks don't purchase new because of the high excise tax - I vote to reduce the amount charged by town's. I know that the town's have a great lobbying group, lawyers and association called Maine Municpal which is to protect the town's interest. They are pulling out all the stops to insure that excise tax and income for town's is protected this fall. Some say this will raise property taxes, that will happen only if the voters allow it to happen. Instead we should look at mergering offices, reducing overhead and cutting costs - in case you haven't heard things are tough out there! Next on the voter list is TABOR II, again MMA is against this. TABOR II limits how much state/local can raise property taxes in a given year, much like LD 1 was intended to do a few years ago. MMA says that voting in the excise reduction and limiting how much property taxes can go up will cripple local towns. I am not buying that story one bit. Let make sure we have our priorities correct, roads maintained, plowed, trash picked up and ambulance service. The rest is gravy on potatoes. I would love to have talk about school budgets, but Rusty has the view of that which I agree with. Maybe to save SAD funds, Russel could double as superindent, the Eddington office staff could balance the books and cut checks...hmmm, this could work.

Ethics

Ethics - This is very hard to define and many think they have good ethics. Recently I was shopping at a local store when the man in front of us left over $60 on the counter. No one noticed, I could have put that money in my pocket, instead I had my son run out and stop the man and I gave him his money. I think he was in a state of shock, but thanked us. After serving 25 years in government, reviewing ethics policies and attending various conferences, I have come to a simple rule on ethics. Ethics are what we do when no one else is watching. Also think about your actions, would you mind having your actions or what you are doing published on the front page of the next day paper or on the local news. Government of all kinds worry about what the headline will say or if the information will get out. If this is the case there is most likely an ethics issue at the heart of the matter. Remember violations of ethics are not always illegal, they are just doing wrong instead of what is right.

Prayer In School

With the discussion of morales, ethics and values we need to teach our children it is OK to have prayer in SAD 63. There's not a single thing preventing individuals or groups of any people (students or adults) voluntarily and privately offering prayers (as long as it does not disrupt classes or scheduled events). There is no law prohibiting voluntary "private" prayer by individuals. In fact, many schools have groups of students who gather each morning before school for "prayer circles." Brings to mind the church song, "We gather together to ask the Lord's Blessings..." What a great way for child to start the day, bless their meals or others gathered around them. Please support having your child offer prayers circles with friends at lunch or recess. Let bring love and kindness and respect to all.

National Politics at School

Enough is enough, now the BOSS wants to talk politics with all kids across America on values and morales. I am sure health care will creep into the talk some how. These are matters that should remain with the family. I am joining the group the says no and keep your kid home on Tuesday.

Cell Phones In School

SAD or Holbrook has a policy on the NO use of cell phones by students. In general I agree with this. However children should be allowed before school, at lunch and at end of day to turn phones on to check for messages. This is a great tool for parents to give kids messages on work, chores, busing, pickups and so much more. But if the kid gets caught doing this by the phone police, they take the phone, notes home and more. But here is the kicker....the teachers use phones in class. On a regular basis their phones ring and THEY answer them and talk on them, excusing themselves for a moment or talking in class. A student can not have coffee, soda or ice tea to drink at school. Yet those same drinks are taken into the class room by the teachers and drank in front of the class. There should be no double standards. In fact the teachers should be setting the standards, not do as I say, not as I do! Isn't that what a teachers lounge is for?

Clifton Bus Run

Well another school year has started and so do the dymanics with SAD63. First there are no cameras on board the buses, they were taken out or not installed. There is no record or way to check on who is being rough, rude or physical. Second it appears there has been a major change to the bus run in Clifton. All buses start their runs from 7:20-7:30, but not in Clifton, we are starting at 7:00 am now, thats right K-8ride a bus for an hour an half, just in the morning. I attempted to resolve the issue with the person in charge of transportation, without any success. The answer was that we need to make right hand turns for safety. I pointed out to him this was not the case with all runs! He said the afternoon is worst with more traffic, yet the afternoon run, goes by road, left, right, left or whatever the driver feels like! So much for those theories. SAD sent home a letter asking parents to schedule any three times a day meds around school hours. That is kind of hard when the bus picks up at 7AM and doesn't return until 4PM. So lets see, 2 1/2 hours on bus, hour for lunch and recess, thats 3 1/2 hours a day. That is more than what is provided for education. That is more than home school kids receive, which by the way have higher stats and standings in the State of Maine. In fact the bus arrives at school without enough time for the kids to sit and eat breakfast, the most important meal of the day. The time has come to for the supervisor to review the matter and find a solution that works for kids, parents and meals. I would also point out that the bus schedule provide on the new SAD website last week and supplied to neighbors was wrong, they changed it over the weekend two days before school. The schedule was not published in the paper or mailed to students. It was told to me it was way to expensive to mail....haha last week the school sent every child their schedule, a packet, handbooks, forms and so much more - the right doesn't talk with the left. This blog note was modified on 9-3-09 with corrections

NO TO HOLDEN LAND FROM SAD 63

The following is taken from Eddington News Blog, created by Rusty and could not express the views of the Citizens of Clifton any better. There is no way in green bay the Town of Holden is entitled to the land next to Holden School. That was only a consideration if and I SAY IF the RSU had pasted and that was to protect the lands from being sold or lost to another agency. There is a meeting on Sept 28 at 6:30 pm in the Holden school to discuss the matter. Please contact your select members and a school board member and voice NO to this idea.

Friday, August 28, 2009
THE ISSUE IS LAND - NOT THE OLD RSU PROPOSAL
It has taken me these past few days to formalize my thoughts (with the help of friends) re: the issue of the Town of Holden's request for the SAD63 School Board to transfer certain parcels of land currently a part of the Holden Elementary School to the Town of Holden.

This issue has been going on for several months. It almost culminated at this past Monday night's School Board meeting and Holden Councilman Harvey certainly expected it would.

However, while the Town of Holden had reportedly sent its formal and legally prepared proposal to School Board Chairman Varnum a month ago, none of the Board members received it until the Tuesday prior to the Board meeting. And neither the Eddington nor Clifton Boards of Selectpersons had received it. As a result of that delay, neither the School Board nor Eddington nor Clifton had had the opportunity to have their legal counsels review the proposal nor consider the opinions of their constituencies.

Not only are those steps important, they are legally required. Without these steps, the towns of Eddington and Clifton could file suit against the School Board. Regardless of an opinion expressed by Interim Superintendent Hart at the Monday meeting (that Board members are elected to make such decisions), there are legal precedents that would give Eddington and Clifton grounds to file legal action (a.k.a. a law suit) against the School Board should the it vote away the property in question without first consulting with the Boards of Selectpersons of Eddington and Clifton. And "consulting does not mean listing "Holden Town Deed" on the Board's Agenda, regardless of comments by Board Member Ellis (rep from Holden). And that was how the issue listed, with no indication that there was any intent of a final vote planned - not to mention that the formal documents had not been sent to the Selectpersons of Eddington or Clifton.

So, let's look at the Town of Holden's Proposal and then ask a few questions.

The proposal has been set forth in the form of a Release Deed, which states as follows:

"SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT #63, located at Holden, Penobscot County, Maine, for consideration paid, released to the INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF HOLDEN, a municipality located in Holden, Penobscot County, Maine, all of the District's right, title or interest in and to the land and any improvements thereon located in Holden, Penobscot County, Maine, described as follows:

A certain lot or parcel of land with buildings wnd improvements thereon situated on the northerly side of Main Road (a.k.a. U.S. Route IA) in the Town of Holden, County of Penobscot, State of Maine and being more particularly described as follows:

Beginning at a point on the northerly sideline of said Main Road, which point is further described as being the southeasterly corner of land now of the Inhabits (sic) the Town of Holden as described in a deed recorded at the Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in Volume 2595, Page 20;

Thence N 20 degrees 53' 44" E by and along the easterly line of land of the Inhabitants of the Town of Holden as described in Volume 2595, Page 20, a distance of 1132.34 feet to a point on the southerly line of land now or formerly of Granville Jennings as described in a deed recorded as the Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in volumn 3839, Page 254;

Thence S 71 degrees 47' 08" E by and along the southerly line of land of said Granville Jennings, a distance of 801.86 feet to an iron rod found at the northeasterly corner of land of School Administrative District #63 as described in a deed from the Maine School Building Authority to School Administrative District #63, which deed is recorded at the Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in Volume 2529, Page 115, said point is further described as being on the northwesterly line of land now or formerly of Philip Robinson as described in a deed recorded at the Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in Volume 3518, Page 193;

Thence S 31 degrees 08' 46" W by and along the northwesterly line of land of said Philip Robinson, a distance of 507.14 feet to a point on said line;

Thence N 61 degrees 09' 31" W, a distance of 262.78 feet to a #6 rebar with an aluminum cap stamped "PLS 1030" set'

Thence continuing on the same course N 61 degrees 09' 31" W, a distance of 174.15 feet to a #6 rebar with an aluminum cap stamped "PLS 1030" set;

Thence S 32 degrees 28' 29" W, a distance of 202.92 feet to a #6 rebar with an aluminum cap stamped "PLS 1030" set;

Thence S 10 degrees 57' 54" E, a distance of 125.34 feet to a #6 rebar with an aluminum cap stamped "PLS 1030" set;

Thence S 25 degrees 47' 19" W, a distance of 219.71 feet to a #6 rebar with an aluminum cap stamped "PLS 1030" set near the left field corner of the ballfield;

Thence S 38 degrees 51' 28" W, a distance of 224.04 feet to a point on the northerly sideline of said Main Road;

Thence running in a mortherly direction by and along the northerly sideline of said Main Road following a 2503.72 foot radius curve to the left, an arc distance of 215.75 feet to the point of beginning.

EXCEPTING AND RESERVING to the Grantor, its successors and assigns, an easement to maintain, repair, replace and use the existing parking area encroaching onto the above described parcel as depicted on a survey plan dated Octobet 23, 2008 prepared by Plisga & Day, Land Surveyors, being further identified as Project 90228.

THis conveyance is made expressly subject to the right of the Grantor to requwst reconveyances to it of portions of the above described portions of the above descrived parcel, or easements thereon, upon 4evidencing a need for use of such portions or easements for school purpowes, including but not limited to the replacement or expansion of the subsurface wastewater disposal system serving Grantor's remaining land or the construction of additional educational facilities. Provided, however that the right reserved to Grantor shall not apply to any portion of the conveyed property, which at the time of any such request, is being used by the Grantee for municipal purposes (emphasis added by this writer) or for other purposes for which the consent of the Grantor has been obtained or to any other portion as may have been conveyed by the Grantee with the consent of the Grantor.

The above described lot or parcel of land contains 12.14 acres, more or less, and is a portion of the premises desribed in a deed from the Maine School Building Authority to School Administrate Diwtrict #63, dated February 24, 1975 and recorded at the Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in Volume 2529 , Page 115 and a portion of the premises described in a deed from Richard C. Cook to School Administrative District #63, dated August 15, 1988 and recorded at the Penobscot COunty Registry of Deeds in Volume 4290, Page 50.

Bearings referenced herein are oriented to True North and are based on a survey dated October 23, 2008 by PLISGA & DAY, Land SUrbeyors, and said survey is further identified as Project No. 90228.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, School Administrative District #63 has caused this instrument to be executed and delivered by ______, its Superintendent, this ___ day of _____. 2009.

And there follows Notoary Public Signature veification...

ATTACHED TO THE RELEASE DEED IS THE FOLLOWING - JOINT USE AGREEMENT - :

This Agreement is entered into by and between MAINE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT #63 ("District") and the TOWN OF HOLDEN ("Town") as of the ___ day of ________, 2009.


RECITALS


A. Town conveyed a parcel of land to the Maine School Building Authority ("Authority") by deed dated May 29, 1954, recorded in the Penboscot County Registry of Deeds in Book 1444, age 248.

B. The Authority conveyed the same parcel of land to the District by deed dated February 24, 1975, recorded in the Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in Book 2529, Page 115.

C. District conveyed a portion of the parcel to Town by deed dated October 9, 1975, recorded in the Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in Book 2595, Page 20.

D. District released its remaining interest in the parcel conveyed to Town by deed dated June 23, 2008, recorded in the Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in Book 11457, Page 229.

E. District acquired an additional parcel of land from Richard C. Cook by deed dated August 15, 1988, recorded in the Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in Book 4290, Page 50.

F. District has agreed to convey 12.14 acres of its property to Town, as shown on a survey dated October 23, 2008, prepared by Plisga & Day, Landy Surveyors, a reduced copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (hereinafter the "Property").

G. District has traditionally used the ball field and appurtenances thereto located on the Property, as shown on the survey plan, for school purposes, and the parties desire to enter into this Agreement to allow the continuation of that use.

H. Town has traditionally used said ball fields and appurtenances thereto as part of its recreational programs.

I. Town has also agreed to allow the District to use the Town's ajacent property for overflow parking for school events.


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Town shall continue to provide overall maintenance and repair of the ball field and the associated improvements (including the dugouts and chain-link fencing).

2. District shall be permitted to provide supplemental maintenanmce and repair of the ball field and associated improvements.

3. District shall have priority for the use of the ball field and associated improvements during the school year. District, through the Principal of Holden School (or designee) shall consult with Town's Manager (or designee) concerning the scheduling of any school usage of that facility during the school year, and the coordination of any Town usage of the same during the school year.

4. During school summer vacation, Town shall have the priority for the use of the ball field and associated improvements for its recreational programs. Town, through its Town Manager (or designee), shall consult with Holden School's Principal (or designee) concerning the scheduling of Town usage of that facility during the school summer vacation, and the coordination of and school usage of that facility during school vacation.

5. Both District and Town shall retain any immunities from liabilities available to them under Maine law, or any other source.

6. Any proposals relating to major repair or replacement of the existing recreational facilities on the Property, or the development of new recreational facilities on the Property, shall be presented by the proposing party to the other party for review. If the proposed improvements are to be jointly used by the parties, the parties shall negotiate in good faith to develop an agreement on the funding and maintenance of such improvements, and any necessary or appropriate amendments to this Agreement. If the Town proposes the improvements and the District does not elect to utilize the same for school purposes, Town shall be responsible for the payment for, and the maintenance of, the improvements. If District proposes the improvements and Town approves them, but does not elect to utilize the same ofr municipal purposes, District shall be responsible for the payment for, and the maintenance of, the improvements.

7. District shall have the right to use any parking areas onthe Parperty, or on ajacent property owned by the TOwn, for overflow parking for any school events. The Principal (or designee) and the Town Manager (or Designee) shall consult on the Scheduling of major events by either party in an attempt to avoid conflicting demands for parking.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed on their behalf, in duplicate counterparts, as of the date first above written.


TOWN OF HOLDEN


Signatures from Holden Town Manager and MSAD#63 Superintendent (with witnesses)


So NOW MY QUESTIONS AND THOUGHTS FOR CONSIDERATION:

Let's be clear about what is currently occupying the Property Holden wants conveyed from SAD63 to the Town of Holden. Aside from degrees and measurements, What are we really talking about? (According to Councilman Harvey, in his mostly one-way conversation with me in the parking lot outside the Holbrook School, the Veterans Memorial, the Nature Walk trails, the supplementary parking lot [that SAD63 just paved at the mandate of the Town of Holden at a Taxpayer cost of $40,000], and the ball field are all on the 12.14 acres of Property to be conveyed if this proposal is approved.)

1. How did this Property come to be part of SAD63 in the first place? Councilman Harvey told me that the Property in question originally belonged to Holden. There is reference to parcels of the Property originally belonging to Granville Jennings and Philip Robinson in the Release Deed.
If taxpayers ("Taxpayers") from the towns of Eddington, Clifton and Holden had to compensate either individuals or the Town of Holden for the Property to become part of SAD63, then some form of compensation to the Taxpayers should be made in exchange for releasing the property to the Town of Holden, even if some form of shared usage results.

2. There is nothing in the Release Deed or Recitals that guarantees the Property will be held by the Town of Holden for Public Access, meaning that it will not be sold to a third party or used for exclusive town business purposes. While there were verbal assurances by individuals at the School Board meetings, without the guarantee in writing, there is no legal binding. Additionally, note the caveat the Town of Holden has included in the "Excepting and Reserving" section of the Release Deed (highlighted in red by this writer). What safeguard is there for Taxpayers that the Town of Holden will not convert any portion for a "municipal purpose" such as an additional municipal building.

3. The Veterans Memorial is included in the Property to be conveyed to the Town of Holden. The Memorial was created through fund-raising efforts by the eighth-grade students at Holbrook Middle School. While there may be some discussion as to the fiscal responsibility for flag replacement at the Memorial, the Memorial was clearly the result of SAD63 students. Should the ground on which the Memorial stands be separated from SAD63 property?

4. The Nature Walk trails are part of the property to be conveyed to the Town of Holden. Councilman Harvey told me the trails are maintained by Holden volunteers. He also stated that the trails were created by financial grants. (My impression was he intended to infer the trails were not developed by SAD63 Taxpayers.) If the grant applications suggested or flatly stated the trails would benefit the education of SAD63 students, the grantors may have elected to fund the Nature Walk trails because of the school district association and because the trails were on the property of the Holden Elementary School.

5. For all of the Taxpayers funding (for maintenance, improvements, taxes, insurances, etc.) since the Property became part of SAD63, some form of compensation to the Taxpayers should be issued by the Town of Holden for the Release Deed proportionate to any agreement of joint use and authorization of control.

6. FINALLY, in no way does the argument of the former RSU discussion apply to this issue. The OLD RSU proposal dealt with the potential consolidation with Brewer and an RSU Board that would have had a significant representation from the community. It was for that reason many issues regarding land associated with the Eddington, Holbrook and Holden schools were discussed. The OLD RSU proposal was soundly defeated and is dead. DEAD. Off the table. Even though there have been individuals who have tried to get the School Board Chairman to appoint a NEW RSU Committee to get started, nothing has been done. The only things that have been done is TALK. The current Interim Superintendent firmly believes SAD63 will consolidate with someone in the coming year. There is "TALK" that SAD63 may enter consolidation discussion with Dedham or Orrington or Otis (depending on how Otis votes on September 9), but one thing is sure - IF SAD63 CONSOLIDATES with anyone, it will be a K-8 plan with an on-going high school option. And that's the only RSU aspect that's applicable to any discussion.

Therefore, why the rush to give away any SAD63 land? There isn't even an RSU committee to discuss any potential consolidation. The State of Maine voters may vote to repeal consolidation altogether in November, in which case SAD63 will stay exactly the way it is. So why give away the very land SAD63 currently has before we know if we will be consilidating with anyone.

The only reason I can see for the rush is because the Town of Holden, particularly Councilman Harvey, wants the land for whatever reason the Town of Holden may have.

The TAXPAYERS of SAD63 are the ones who should be making this decision. Can we be sure how our communities will be growing or evolving over the next 10 years? Do we know how the change in Route 9 will impact the need for the Property in question or the need for the Holden School to be able to expand? For sure the Towns of Eddington and Clifton need to be active participants in this decision and their representatives on the School Board need to know how their constituents feel before any vote is taken.

Meeting August 19 2009

The board meeting was called to order at 7pm
-bid for 1600 yards of road sand was awarded to the lower bidder of Musson Construction in the amount of $13,500. High bid was $20,240
-Eric Johns gave a report on the planning board and workshops planned.
-CEO report, a printed report was given and Mr. Leavitt answered questions. $300 was voted toward a 1/4 of a new computer for CEO with other towns.
-ACO, printed report was given. There are two complaints, one in written form and the other from a citizen who was present. A special meeting will be held next Wednesday to discuss the ACO report.
-A printed report regarding fire and EMS calls was provided.
-No SAD report
-Complaint about potholes on Getchel road - repaired
-Treasurers report was given.
-From the clerk, PVCOG report, November voting item (excise tax), concealed weapons application, oath of office forms, state shut down days (do we want to shut down also - board said no), letter and assessments from mr Haverly on the Bradley Chemo properties, newsletter discussion (lorin will submit idea for next meeting)
Old Business: why didn't we have the meeting with Pleasent St residents regarding the fencing and ATV's.
New - possible to get 2nd grading - no funds. Carol talked about private road issue and culvert.
Warrants signed

Prayer

We seem to be in heated debates on national health care, protections afforded us by the bill of rights and prayer. According to studies 75% of folks pray often - a good thing. We can spread this even more by teaching our children to offer prayers during recess and lunch at school. In fact it students may sit together and offer prayers during lunch. what a great way to give thanks and blessing to others.

Planning Board Chair

I saw Gerald Folster at the store this morning, he let me know that Eric St. Johns was the new Planning Board Chair. Just FYI

Tax Notices

I have received a few calls and comments from you regarding printing on the tax bill that states "first payment". This is a computer program issue done through a contracted agreement with the assessor agent. We do not have a semi annual tax bill like other towns. Hope this make things easier for you

New Mill Rate

At a recent meeting of the Clifton Selectboard held on Wednesday July 22, 2009, the board set the mill rate or tax rate for the year. Last years mill rate was $10.70 per thousand of value. This year the rate will be $11.10, an increase of .40 cents per thousand. As long as the evalution stays the same on your property, this would be the figure. $40 per $100,000 of value increase. There are some big jumps that caused this increase, two of which are the county tax and school budget which the board has no control over. Our share of the school budget is $548,000 for 158 children, which comes to $3468 per child. This is not a true figure for those attempting to understand the budget - the budget is much higher, but the SAD receives funding from other sources, just at the town's due. For a town it could be vehicle excise tax, for the SAD it could come from the State or grants. A true picture of the budget is to take the final budget and divide by the total number of students. Most of this can be found on eddingtonnews.blogspot.com, Rusty wrote a great article explaining this.

Also my hat is off to the folks in Eddington, what a great web site and newsletter, way to keep people informed.

Mud Trucks

Long before we had ATV's folks had the old jeep for hunting, trapping, fishing or just exploring. The roads were rough and untamed. Then came snow sleds and ATV's. There is much dicussion on the use of ATV's and damage they might cause. This all goes back to the operator. I have a lease site that in order to get to, I must cross private lands. The owner of my lease site doesn't allow ATV's, the private landowner I cross wants no trucks, just ATV. Each states just the opposite. ATV cause damge, ATV cause less damage than a truck. With the new ATV law one is almost better to invest in a nice registered off road jeep or toyota pickup truck. The terms used today are "muddin" and "rammin". There also seems to a swing by folks, mostly under the age of forty back toward mud trucks. I think this is mostly because ATV trails are very limited, cost more than a mud truck and can't be driven on the roads. I can buy a great mud truck for a lot less than the $8,000 it costs for a new ATV and I can use the truck on the farm to do chores like harrowing field, moving manure, towing the boat or canoe. Up north - Northern Maine Woods you can have a mud truck, but no ATV - whats the choice? I recently attended a DOC planning meeting on the Lower Penobscot Area to Machias - concerns were voiced about ATV's and damage. Within seconds a voice came forward about the people with mud trucks rammin. It seems that when we are younger we like to go forward and explore with our friends, mudin and getting stuck were part of the fun of life. Did it keep me off drugs and from drinking I don't know, but I am sure it helped. Kids will tell you (mostly boys/men) there isn't much to do and we put a lot of attention to NASCAR and Speedways or things with motors on them. So I guess mud trucks are here to stay. However damage to others property is not acceptable and folks with the toys need to understand that. That Maine way of thinking, that all that timber land belongs to the people is not correct - just look at gates and road fee's. Many owners will tell you gates are a result of litter on their lands, camp break ins and road damage. We need to police ourselves to insure these lands remain open and yes I own both an ATV and Mud Truck.

Pond v. Lake

One of the most common questions to the DEP or IFW biologist is what makes a Pond or Lake. Here are some comments from ME DEP/IFW - sunlight goes to the bottom of ponds; its the area or size; is it a kettle pond; truly some ponds are lakes and in Maine there is no Technical difference between the two. In fact some have the word lake before the name and some after.

In England they are called Lochs; out west everything is a lake, but in New England there is no standard.

Some thoughts across the country to decide - oh by the way no one I can find has a definition. Pond man or beaver made; lake made by creator; pond is filled by rain or stream - lake has stream and springs; its size; its depth; is the current in the body of water; its how clear it is; there is no standard; inlet v outlet; water temp on surface is difference than bottom; desolved oxygen at bottom; ph level; plants in the middle or a lot of alage; waves more than 12 inches; made by a glacier. These are just a few offered by biologists around the country. I say it should be depth, over 20 feet and greater than 10 acres is a lake. What do you think.

Boat Launch

Chemo is a wonderful pond full of rich history to the Penobscot Region and our native americans, it also is great for summer camp program and local recreation. It hold bass fishing tournments and float planes. However access by the public is restricted. The only landing I know of is private at Deans Landing, where one pays a fee to launch a boat. It is a long drive from Clifton and the East Shore. A resident at the end of the Getchel Rd was always kind enough to let us put the boat in, however a new home is present and that option is not available anymore. There is a launch on the Scott Point Rd, that is also private and located next a house. We use this launch, but always feel like we are bothering the homeowner. It is time we find a way to purchase a peice of land in Clifton on Chemo and provide public access to all. I am sure there are a number of issues on this, the first woudl be impact to neighbors and how to manage or pay for maintenance/upkeep. Also is there any land available in Clifton or would we have to look at the Bradley east shore. I would like to hear your comments.

Drinking & Driving

If you shoot a deer or moose at night, its called night hunting. The mandatory punishment is $1,000, 3 days in jail, loss of firearm and maybe the vehicle. If you are selling drugs you can lose the home, vehicle, cash and belongings. Here is a solution to drinking and driving. Mandatory 3 days in jail, $1,000 fine and loss of the loss of vehicle to state. For minors drinking or transporting, increase the fine to $1,000 and 90 day loss of license. I am very disappointed by the number of our minors I have seen or hear are drinking, especially with parents allowing such.

Tax Meeting

There will be a Select Board Meeting on July 22 to discuss and set the tax rate for Clifton. Meeting will start at 7 p.m.

Blog Concern

Sorry that I have not provided any stimulating notes on the blog for over a month, but between work, fishing and the fact I hadn’t much to offer opinion on until recently.

We live in a country that enjoys freedom and provides for a number of rights to its citizens. I am shocked that some elected officials don’t see a need for public opinion, information or comments. Question #55 of the US Citizenship/Immigration Services, Naturalization Test asks for two ways to participate in democracy. The answer, oppose an issue or policy, write to a newspaper and give your opinion are just a few. Others include forming groups, voting or political party action.

Notes of recent meetings:
July [1] 2009 Select Board Meeting
Special board meeting was called to meet with John Harris, regarding the trash contract. Mr. Harris failed to show for the meeting, thus adjourned.

June [17] 2009 Select Board Meeting
A new 3 year trash contract was awarded to JT Trash of Eddington. A report was given on the draft Land Use Ordinance, a draft is on file at the town office, it is reported that it can also be viewed on the planning board’s web site. A card will be mailed to all residents informing them of workshops dates. Also Jessica Johnson resigned from the Planning Board, the Select Board appointed Bruce Jellison as her replacement. [Comment – I wish to thank Jessica for her outstanding work and commitment to the board over the last few years]. The CEO report was accepted, as were the minutes and the fire department report. There was no report from the ACO or the SAD. A resident did offer a concern about the permit and inspection process. A discussion took place with the board, CEO and resident. The board voted to keep the current form as is. A resident spoke on his tax bill. The board voted to allow Bradley to put a dumpster at the town office for use by the Chemo Pond East Shore group to use. This will be a lease in the amount of $100 a month that Bradley will pay Clifton. The group is also exploring succeeding from Bradley and offering to become part of Clifton. There was discussion on our school board member, actions and attendance. Also discussion on my voting record and if I or the school board member voted recently. Ed and the office girls confirmed voting records of Mr. Fickett and me. Discussion that we have no planning board minutes on file, the board would like the calendar put back on the agenda and that board minutes be done by the Friday after the meeting or no later than the following Tuesday, not wait until the day before the next meeting. Discussion on paving bid. Discussion on ATV use on Pleasant St, cost of installing a fence along the roadway to restrict this use – will hold on this, mail letter to residents inviting them to the August meeting for a discussion.

[My opinion is that all town roads should be listed as ATV routes in accordance with state statutes. I don’t see the need to spend $2,515 for fencing, plus installation costs, of taxpayer monies on Pleasant St. This most likely is private property, and we should talk with the residents about the issue first, which we are doing in August. There is the enforcement consideration, if a problem exists, which I am not sure it does, call the police department.]

Plane Crash in Clifton

2 safe after plane crashes on pond

By Dawn Gagnon
BDN Staff

CLIFTON, Maine — A pilot and his passenger are lucky to be alive after the single-engine Cessna floatplane they were flying in went down Friday afternoon on Chemo Pond.

Though authorities would not release the name of the pilot or his passenger Friday, they did say that both men walked away from the crash.

“Luckily, nobody got hurt,” Eddington fire Capt. David Hughes said at the scene.

“Apparently, they were taking off and their engine went out. They circled back and hit the water real hard” as the pilot attempted to land along the shoreline, said Hughes, one of several members of the Eddington Fire Department who responded to the crash.

The floatplane, however, did not fare as well. The airplane, which landed in the tree line along the shore off German Cove Lane, had damage to one of its wings, bent float struts and damage to its pontoons. It was unclear if any fuel leaked into the water.

According to state police Trooper Michael Johnston, Chemo Pond camp owners reported the plane crash just before 3 p.m.

Based on preliminary interviews he conducted on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration, Johnston said it appeared that the plane suffered a mechanical malfunction. He said he could not release the names of the people involved but confirmed they were not injured.

Johnston referred all other questions to the FAA, which he said planned to have an investigator at the crash site on Monday.

The pilot, who was at the scene Friday afternoon, appeared to be unscathed. He declined to be interviewed. The owners of the camp near which the plane was tethered ordered reporters and photographers off of their property.

People staying at neighboring camps said that the plane appeared to lose power, then crashed into the lakeside, hitting some trees with one of its wings.

Jim Peters, a public affairs contact assigned to the FAA’s Eastern Region, said the federal agency does not release the names of pilots, crew and passengers of aircraft involved in accidents.

He did, however, say that the floatplane was registered to Chad Gates of Clifton, but that a sale was pending and it was not immediately clear Friday who was in possession of the aircraft.

On May 3 of this year, Gates had posted a classified advertisement on a Web site on which aircraft and real estate properties associated with aircraft can be sold or traded. The asking price was $59,900.

Bear Roaming

Well I got another call today, this one from Pete about a sow tending to his empty bird feeder before moving on. Pete was impressed, but his wife was not. Bears are searching for that free meal now, especially moms. The other issue is that sows are breeding. This brings the males from far and wide. It is reported that a male can smell a sow in heat from ten miles away. While a females home range is less than a mile square. The male can travel over 20 miles a day, searching for the females. It is also the sad time of year. By the end of the month, studies report that 50% of the cubs born in January will have died. From drowning in dens, crushed, lost and starved, starved or most will be killed by other bears. See the male will kill the cubs to force the sow back into heat again. Nature is sometimes very cruel. For more see maineblackbear.blogspot.com

Clean Up Days

Well I took the load of tires, old freezer and other parts to the annual spring clean up, held at the town office today. John Harris of Harris Trash was the contractor collecting our goods. I spoke with John about turn out, it was and is low, probably could have done it in one day this year. Either folks have cleaned up everything with the metal prices last year, or they are not purchasing new stuff to replace the old. Over the past years it was a hoping place. I hug out for a while today and was surprised at low slow it was. I guess this is a good thing.

MS Word

What I learned today, I should have known. Do all that work product at home with the newest version of word, only to go to work and find they can't open it, because we still use word 97

SAD 63 Budget

What a week on the SAD 63 budget, you want to get people upset, just mention cutting education. You would think I asked for there first born. Just like people to the right or left, republican or dem, we are entitled to free speech and opinion. It is not personal, but clearly some have taken it that way. I was told as a select person, I of all people should support the school and school budget and cuts or spending can not even be compared to the likes of running a town. Some questioned how I dared to suggest cuts when I have a child in the system. Wow. But I still encourage a NO vote at the polls on Tuesday. For all the details on the meeting and more see Rustys site at eddingtonnews.blogspot.com she provides great information.

Loon and Fish

There is an excellent article in this Fridays report from IFW regarding loons and trout. There are pictures of loons taking trout over 18" long - think about that 5-8 pounds per day per bird. These were taken on remote ponds managed for trophy fish. As the biologist states, we use your license money to manage the waters, stock the waters, limit the size of the fish you can take, must be over 18". Only to most of all the trophy or large fish eaten by birds. I hear that loon tastes a little like Eagle, dark meat. hahaha.

SAD 63

SAD 63 Budget meeting Thursday 7PM Holbrook School. Please attend, understand the expenses at administration and increase costs. VOTE NO

Humane Society

Dear Director Bangor Humane Society
June 3, 2009
My name is Lorin LeCleire and I am very displeased with your agency. My family and I HAD a very long relationship with the Bangor Humane Society, which as of today is terminated forever. This goes back, long before your time to that of Ernie Crowell when he operated the Human Society from his home on Howard Street (as a child used to help tend critters), to Gerry Anderson once a director at the current facility.
Last year my good neighbors lost their lab of many years. They adopted a wonderful dog from your agency. Last month they became ill, with one still hospitalized with a heart condition. They could not care for the dog anymore. This was a wonderful, neighborhood dog, it could be let loose to play with kids, our horses, cows, our dogs and hounds, and just wonderful was Baxter.
After a long and difficult time, they elected to give the dog to a new home. However they read the adoption paperwork which asked for the dog to be returned. We called your agency and explained the situation. The girl on the phone said she would be more than happy to re intake Baxter. The neighbors, both elderly and on fixed incomes wanted to make sure all was in order to save you money. They took Baxter to the vet and spent over $250 last week on a credit card to make sure he had a check up and all of his shots and such.
My neighbor then asked if we would return the dog to the Human Society, insured of the no kill policy. HAD WE EVER KNOWN YOU WOULD KILL THE DOG WITHIN DAYS, IT NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN RETURNED. SO MUCH FOR A LOVING HOME.
The owner prepared paperwork, wrote a wonderful card to you folks, even going so far as to state any new owner could call them for information about the dog. She had the original paperwork from your agency, in its original folder. Oh let’s see you put the dog with elderly couple, BUT NOW KILLED IT BECAUSE IT WAS AGGRESSIVE – PLAIN AND SIMPLE LIE AND BULL SHIT.
This dog played for over a year with kids, other dogs and chickens and livestock without ever a problem. NONE whatsoever.
We brought the dog in the next day as agreed for by the owner. We provided all the paperwork, shot record, tags, your tags, collar, and history, a wonderful card written by the owner and sat with your intake worker with the dog. Image, other dogs and people were all around and BAXTER WAS GREAT. We asked directly about the kill policy. WE HAVE A NO KILL POLICY UNLESS THE ANIMAL IS UNADOPTABLE BECAUSE OF AGRESSION. WE stated we would check and if the dog was not taken, it was not to be killed we would take it ourselves and would be checking back. Income visitors were playing with Baxter when we left.
IMAGE OUR SHOCK AND THAT OF OUR ELDERLY FRIENDS WHEN THEY CALLED JUST A FEW DAYS LATER TO CHECK ON BAXTER, OFFERING INFORMATION TO ANY NEW OWNERS AND HOW HE WAS DOING. THEY WERE TOLD DIRECTLY – WE KILLED THE DOG IT WAS AGGRESSIVE. The tears are still flowing around the neighborhood.
You rank right up there with PETA who has a 97% kill rate.
You have destroyed not BAXTER, and the owners of the dog, but our children and that of the neighbor children. How in God’s name can you justify this? As I stated, we have not only done fundraisers and drives for your agency, he have encouraged our friends and neighbors. And yes we hunt, fish and own hounds – some of those cruel people you spread lies about – but we have always considered your agency a notch above others.
No more, we will go out of our way to insure that everyone knows the service and lies you tell clients, not to mention the outrageous charges. We will never encourage ANYONE to donate food, funds or any kind of support EVER to your agency. To the point of creating a web site and blog about your agency to let the public know just how you treat animals. I am so hoping we can get some new directors and replace you as quick as possible. Next we plan regular inspections, you will never know who, and we will report on the conditions of animals housed with your agency. What is worst, many of our family members work at local department stores and large pet stores. You can rest assured you have shot yourself in your own foot – word of mouth travels quick around town.
I have no idea who made the decision to KILL BAXTER, but they were just wrong. Did it cost too much for food. Did BAXTER wine and get under someone’s nerves; we will never know the truth. Seeing how in three calls we got at least three different stories. But we will push to have a review process and second consideration before KILLING is allowed.
You will poke that form in our face about your rights and us giving up ours. So be it, but OUTRIGHT lying to customers and patrons and benefactors is so low it compares with GITMO and borders on fraud. I will be honest, lawsuits cost money and it is not beyond us to file suit and cost you thousands for the fraud, pain and suffering you committed to us and the owner of BAXTER.
THIS IS ONE SLEEPING DOG THAT WILL NOT LIE, Bet on that. In the memory of BAXTER.

School Budget Vote June 4th

I encourage each of you to read Rusty's piece at eddingtonnews.blogspot.com and you will see why I am voting NO on the school budget. Maybe we should pass over all articles, but 16 and then make it the same amount as last year. No business manager in a school is worth over $70,000 a year and another raise coming on top of that.

What You Think About That

Great song by Montgomery Gentry that explains land use ordinances.

Recycle Hogwash

I was very disgusted when the board of selectman voted to take money from the emergency reserve to pay for additional help this summer in recycling. During the budget workshops, this was shot down. At the annual meeting it was shot down. But as with all good government, stay at it long enough and they will find a away to get the money - emergency reserve account - my foot. Its a slush fund and nothing more at this point. This has nothing to do with the fine folks that oversee recycling, its about how public (your) money is spent.

Joint Ownership

Earlier this year a group of Bradley residents whom reside on the East Side of Chemo approached the Town of Clifton about doing some business and maybe even being annexed and becoming part of Clifton. See these folks have to drive 40 miles for trash, do business at the town office and receive little for their waterfront tax base. Wonderful idea, welcome to Clifton. But that brings me to our taxes and form of government. Both Clifton and Eddington have full time town offices that cost a lot of dollars to operate. Why not reduce our hours to say one day a week and contract some work with Eddington, such are vehicle registrations. Most all fish/game material and licenses can be done on the internet, so about the only reason to visit for most people once a year is to pay taxes and registar the car. We could give Eddington an agent fee - heck until a few years ago we didn't handle registrations. I thinking with the short fall of money we need to be thinking outside the box. How about getting four or five towns together to do trash and animal control while we are at it, it appears to be working well for the fire department. Maybe we should look at becoming unincorpated and be a township under LURC

Planning Board

I am working on a late breaking news flash, its appears that there many be an opening on the planning board - I hear time commitments are creating a problem for a person. I hope this is not the case, as she is doing a wonderful job.

Where's the Gold

Some would say the gold is in our local government offices - taken by unfair taxes. But a nice way to relax and enjoy the day with kids is panning or sluicing for gold in our local waters. I am betting you didn't know that many Maine waters hold gold and in some places, like the Swift River, it is possible to make $50 a day. Kids love water and will play for hours and sometimes they find pretty rocks too.

Rainy Days

Well the trout have been biting fairly well on the Union and togue are hanging at abotu 40' at Hopkins Pond. It looks like overcast days for the next few, so why not wet a line and have a feed. Water levels are still runnable on the Union for the kayak or canoe. A dear friend passed yesterday at 82, Elizabeth Bragg who raised me for the first 9 years of my life, she is now with her Johnny.

Selectboard Meeting May 20 2009

The Clifton Selectboard held a fairly long meeting, as far as selectboard meetings are concerned, almost to 10pm. The majority of the time was spent listening to a citizen on shoreland zoning concerns. A bid was given to Harris for Spring Clean Up on June 6 & 7 to be held at the town office. The board (4 to 1) voted to hold a public hearing and special town meeting regarding shoreland zoning ordinance in June. 10th for hearing, 17 for special meeting. See blog report below for more information, this is a bad idea. I felt completely blind sided by this, with no information prior and really none given, just the citizen expressing the view to hold special meeting - with out endorsement of planning board. Also have questions about why we are just getting a letter that was dated in Jan from MMA regarding shoreland map saying we don't have map and map is stronger than text. So do we have an ordinance now without a map? Interesting thoughts for a landowner discussion. Discussion that there have been no planning board minutes on file for several months. Voted to spend up to $75 on the ACO for ID and badge. Discussion on the number of properties sent lien notices. School board member reported on school and lands that Holden would like to transfer. Discussion to make sure cemeteries are mowed and markers/flags are put out - great crew going this, with many thanks. Trash contract is out for bid. Letter from Bradley on dumpster, would like to let them put dumpster and pay a land rent fee. Report on trying to get DOT to cut Route 180 so some sun gets on road in winter to melt the ice. Discussion roads: If the grader operator needs gravel when grading, then allow them to get up to $3,000 for all roads. General discussion on roads, Getchel to get grinded and needs gravel, Pleasent to get paved ($24K), thoughts on putting a fence along road to stop ATV traffic - will view and think about. Need work projects for the SO and work gang. Discussion on help for recycling, voted (4 to 1) to hire PT to help for summer. Questions about funding this, since board decided not to include in budget at spring meeting. Will take from special fund - I thought this was for emergencies only! Discussion on budget, loss of income from various sources and the 9% school budget increase - what is the mill rate going to be? What do we do if the mill rate takes a big jump? About the only thing in the budget that is big money is funding a full time town office. You can view the complete minutes at the town office.

Machias Air Line Rips

Well back from a visit to Air Line Rips on the Machias River. Good crowd and a few getting fish, including a 16" brookie. I am seriously disappointed in the Department of Conservation at these fee camp sites. The fire pits are run down, the tables are either rotted to the ground or beyond repair. The outhouse maintenance is poor. What a wonderful site, but budget cuts have taken away the ranger I guess. It wasn't long before a ranger was in to remind people to leash the dog, although no one minded. But as for care or toilet paper, that was out of the question. DOC needs to spend some money or create a Friends of the Machias group to care for these sites.

Land Use Ordinance

While there are some that think I would not approve of any Land Use Ordinance at all, and call me a protectionist. I am really for property owners rights and the thought that overall I should be able to do what I wish with my property, as long as I don't harm others. Land Use is the hottest topic in any community, just ask the lawyers and MMA. It is also a living document, one that must be updated on a regular basis. It is not just written and then forgotten about, a planning board should always be reviewing the needs of the people and the community. But you can not write a 30 year plan, it really needs to a 3 or 5 year plan or simpler, then updated. I have a lot of feeling on the matter, as do others. But it seems that emotions are high on the matter. We are currently undertaking a massive review and re write of this ordinance and I know I not created any friends on the planning board or with my fellow select board members, but I will not allow property owners to be deprived of their use of their lands. I will be writing more on this later...its late now.

Warden Service Green

A number of you have commented to me about the "new" uniform of the elite woods cops, better known as a game warden. This is not a new uniform, although it did cost thousands of dollars to purchase these additional uniforms. The new uniform is a SWAT styled baggy uniform with iron patches. Fishing recently with the kids, a warden came out of now where, the kids thought it was SWAT. Not only does this uniform not fit the make up of a warden, it is not traditional in nature for them and just looks dumpy. It should be dumped.

ATV Routes

Many folks in our town, like other rural small towns, have ATV's. Its seems there has been some strict enforcement by the elite woods cops about riding ATV on back town roads, with a number of our residents receiving summons for exceeding the distance allowed to travel. At the suggestion of the law enforcement and a number of residents, we find that the town selectboard can open roads and call them "ATV routes". This allows ATV's to travel the extreme right side of the road and obey all traffic laws. There will be a petition out around town asking the board to consider opening most all town roads to become ATV routes. This is good for business, travel, recreation and exploring. Yes I am well aware of the few individuals we have that are already traveling the road at a speed that is not good, but even if the routes are not openned these folks will be doing, so why should be penalize all the parties because of a few. This will actually help enforcement. Route 9 will not be one of the roads suggested to be a route.

The Mill Rate

Most bugets in the State of Maine run from July 1 to June 30 of each year, this includes the state, county and schools. However some towns run a different calendar, such as Clifton. We run Feb 1 to Jan 30 of each year. We approve our budgets at the March Town Meeting. Do you see a problem yet? Lets see the assessor's agent doesn't have the true list; the state budget is not approved for revnune sharing; the school is just starting to think about its budget and grants are not in cycle. So we have an approved budget, now what. Well here we are a few months into the town budget and things are starting to crumble. Excise income is down, as folks aren't buying new cars, the state is going to cut road revnune sharing, the county tax went up higher than we thought, the school share is going up 9 PERCENT over last year, homestead exemption and tree growth returns look like they are going to get reduced, grants are down and the assessor agent is getting ready to set a mill rate. The current mill rate is about $10 a thousand....you better hold on because I see a bad storm brewing. I am still trying to figure out the school, glad Rusty has a blog in Eddington that covers most of the events - its called keeping them honest.

Shoreland Zoning Vote

At the selectman's meeting in Clifton on the 20th of May a vote was taken to call a public hearing and hold a special town meeting in June after this was requested by one person, without a petition. The purpose of this is to see if the good folks of Clifton would like to change the Shoreland Zoning ordinance or go with the basic ordinance from the state. There are many changes in the ordinance and I for one voted not to hold a special town meeting, especially since the planning board was not on board with having this ordinance presented yet. Currently we can open a business with the zone, as long as it has less than 5 employees. However the new ordinance will not allow a commerical business and has added restrictions placed on landowners. The other side is, if you lot is not developed currently, it would be placed in resource protection. Sounds like, if you are built - great, but if you own land that is not developed or built your camp yet, sucks to be you. I urge you to vote on this ordinance and let the planning board do its work for next years town meeting. Wonder how many people will be able to come to a special meeting during the week? This just is not a good idea for property owners, nor does it protect property owners rights. Maybe a property owners bill of rights is needed.

Trout Fishing

The trout are bitting on the West Branch of the Machias. There is a great campsite on the West Branch provided by the DOC. It could use some improvements, but overall its is good and best it is free. The idots will be gone by Tuesday when the holiday weekend is over, so take the kid and head out.

Duck and Loon Stamp

Now some have told me that Loon tastes like Eagle, but I don't really know. What I do know is that the state charges another fee for invasive plants when you register your boat. Most boat owners don't move about that much, certainly not like canoers and kayakers. Yet we must purchase this "extra" Mil Foil Permit. This money, again goes to the elite wood cop and administration of fish and game. My question is why doesn't the person with the canoe or kayak have to purchase a Milfoil permit or better yet why doesn't the DUCK and LOON have one on their respective ass. See most of the Milfoil is spread by DUCKS and LOONS eating in one pond and pooping in another. I want more duck control and a stamp on their butts

Fish and Game Bear Fee is an Attack

Once again Fish and Game (always liked that much better than Fish/Wildlife) has found a way to rape the sportsman of funds and not provide what they said they would. It seems that over the past few years we have been requiring "bear permits" for most all seasons, it keeps creeping up on us. Non-residents, then all, then trappers, then non-residents during deer season. The only standing is a Maine hunter during firearm season on deer that doesn't not need a bear permit. Honestly a permit should be required to hunt bear at any time. But that is not the issue. Bear management and protection of a 30 million industry is. See about 15,000 bear permits are purchased each year. Do the math on non-resident fee's, and you will see we are approaching over a $1,000,000 in funds for fish and game. Now we have a bear biologist and one of the best bear research projects in the United States. There are three controled study areas, with a number of female (sow) bears wearing radio collars. These bear and off spring are tracked and studied. What a great program, producing fantastic results and information for youth and sportsman. But as usual the funds have been RAIDED by the department. We run a bear project on less than $100,000 a year. So where does the rest of the money go. Oh it must be to sportsman shows or maybe tourism to promote hunting and fishing in Maine. Right, it goes to wardens and administration. The bear project is using equipment that was out dated when it was built. Radio collars should be live time transmit to the office computer. We shouldn't have to pay to have a warden pilot fly an area to locate bear. Yes that is right, its called intra department billing, a nice word for stealing bear money to fund the elite wood cops.

Another way to skin the outdoorsman and women

Well its seems that our great folks in Augusta, or should I say disgusta are at it again. This time on the backs of sportsman/women. Tagging fee's will increase to $5 per animal from $1. The reason, because of the data entry time and manpower. Wait a minute the tagging station does all the work and only gets to keep a buck. They stop what they are doing in the store to take care of a bear, deer or moose for a buck. And then if the records aren't correct a summons will be tow from the most elite set of woods cops around. It should increase, but with all the money going to the tagging station.