Monday, December 6, 2010
Petition Drive
Concern Citizens of Clifton are starting a petition drive for an ethics and recall ordinance, then move to challenge the plowing contract - this is a disgrace
Plow and Sanding
Well the storm is over and the road is still waiting for plow and sand. Someone should mention to the plow, when it comes, there is a bus turn around and turn out that hasn't been touched. Nor did we plow Mill Lane to the end of the road at the MacDonald residence, instead we turned at the mailboxes. The video shows glare ice with packed wet snow and no sand! But all the trucks are plowing Springy Pond and Tradewinds, I hope we have a sand and salt log as required to insure our tax payer sand stays on town roads - this has been a hard fast rule for years, and it continues. Wonder what the DOT thinks of plowing state roads with a pickup truck. Try to drive a car to work or home...first time in 10 years the mail won't even attempt to deliver and got stuck....at $13,000 more a year....keep up the great job with our tax dollars.
Hey if you drive the gateway car in a bank robbery do you get charged?
Hey if you drive the gateway car in a bank robbery do you get charged?
TIF - Credit Enhancement for Wind Project
I am glad to see that we are moving forward with Mr. Fullers wind project, this will provide nice energy for the grid, construction work, maintenance jobs, wildlife habibat for deer and is just right to help the town.
The question that should be put before the voters is a simple one - Should a TIF be created for Mr. Fuller and the Town of Clifton. My answer would be YES as fast as we can approve a TIF, get it done.
If a TIF is not created the COUNTY will tax us more, the SCHOOL will get much more with no increase in students, our share of the school budget would be the highest. Heck maybe we could build our own school?
With a TIF, the town's valuation is removed so that it shelters a town from its school and county assessments, while protecting the town's percentage of state revenue sharing.
Pretty much, it's a tax shelter. Mr. Fuller is making an investment of capital into your community, you're giving them somewhat of a tax break.
If it was fully taxable, residents would pay more in school assessment, and more in county taxes, and it would reduce our revenue sharing, which means whatever we got for taxes from the wind project would be off set by the loss in sending more dollars to the county and school - worst with our high evaluation rates.
Oakfield Maine - created a wonderful TIF with First Wind and that should be used as a model with Mr. Fuller. In no way should the town be greedy, but clearly this would be a win win for both the town and Mr. Fuller.
There are several items to consider in the TIF; a direct payment to the town for use on roads and maintenance (we need capital improvements bad)(this could be $200-500,000 a year); college tuition payments for all high school students; direct payments to each resident household (would suggest starting with a formula like Oakfield, it could be an amount equal to a persons tax bill). The town should immediately take Mr. Fuller up on his offer to allow the town to place a turbine for its own use - then the town should apply for a USDA grant to install the turbine and the income from use should go directly back to the residents in the form of a dividend.
I would like to talk about college tuition for a moment, several towns in Maine provide funding to each student attending an approved college or university. Education is the key to our survival and think about the return. A child will never forget the help they would get in attending college and return to town that helped raise him or her knowing the value of a small town. If memory serves me correctly the little town of The Forks provides $2,000 to each student attending college. Think what this would do for our work force! Say we provided $2,000 a year to any student, regardless of age attending college, say to a limit of six years. The quality of life of our residents would improve, not to mention their income - it is a fact that income is directly related to college education - we always want more for our children. I don't care it is for auto body work, small engine repair, meat cutting, nursing or to be a doctor any enhanced education is great.
The question that should be put before the voters is a simple one - Should a TIF be created for Mr. Fuller and the Town of Clifton. My answer would be YES as fast as we can approve a TIF, get it done.
If a TIF is not created the COUNTY will tax us more, the SCHOOL will get much more with no increase in students, our share of the school budget would be the highest. Heck maybe we could build our own school?
With a TIF, the town's valuation is removed so that it shelters a town from its school and county assessments, while protecting the town's percentage of state revenue sharing.
Pretty much, it's a tax shelter. Mr. Fuller is making an investment of capital into your community, you're giving them somewhat of a tax break.
If it was fully taxable, residents would pay more in school assessment, and more in county taxes, and it would reduce our revenue sharing, which means whatever we got for taxes from the wind project would be off set by the loss in sending more dollars to the county and school - worst with our high evaluation rates.
Oakfield Maine - created a wonderful TIF with First Wind and that should be used as a model with Mr. Fuller. In no way should the town be greedy, but clearly this would be a win win for both the town and Mr. Fuller.
There are several items to consider in the TIF; a direct payment to the town for use on roads and maintenance (we need capital improvements bad)(this could be $200-500,000 a year); college tuition payments for all high school students; direct payments to each resident household (would suggest starting with a formula like Oakfield, it could be an amount equal to a persons tax bill). The town should immediately take Mr. Fuller up on his offer to allow the town to place a turbine for its own use - then the town should apply for a USDA grant to install the turbine and the income from use should go directly back to the residents in the form of a dividend.
I would like to talk about college tuition for a moment, several towns in Maine provide funding to each student attending an approved college or university. Education is the key to our survival and think about the return. A child will never forget the help they would get in attending college and return to town that helped raise him or her knowing the value of a small town. If memory serves me correctly the little town of The Forks provides $2,000 to each student attending college. Think what this would do for our work force! Say we provided $2,000 a year to any student, regardless of age attending college, say to a limit of six years. The quality of life of our residents would improve, not to mention their income - it is a fact that income is directly related to college education - we always want more for our children. I don't care it is for auto body work, small engine repair, meat cutting, nursing or to be a doctor any enhanced education is great.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Concerned Citizens of Clifton
When it comes to Clifton citizens unhappy with government, the tea party isn’t the only thing brewing. Our meetings will be open format following the general principles established by the Tea Party Patriots.
A slew of hyper-local government watchdog and advocacy groups have popped up in Maine — formed by residents fed up with how tax dollars are spent and with elected officials they believe do not listen.
CCC’s mission said Lorin LeCleire, a founding member, is to inform people how their tax dollars are being spent. The group came together when they felt that the small board “was doing things under the table” LeCleire said.
The group is pushing for more transparent information, publishing of notices, a website and easier access to public documents.
Concern over how dollars are spent also spawned the Concerned Citizens of Clifton.
“Like everyone else, we see escalating property taxes and a lack of transparency in how things are handled,” said LeCleire, a founding member. “We want more transparency in the municipal government and accountability.” “We try to be the voice of people in town.”
The group is intended to be progressive with a mission to "promote ethics and accountability in government and public life by targeting government officials - regardless of party affiliation - who sacrifice the common good to special interests." CCC will advance its mission by engaging in public advocacy, public discussions, creating a shadow board to review events, Freedom of Information Act requests, media outreach and official complaints to government agencies such as the Maine Municipal Association and Attorney General’s Office if warranted.
We commend anyone who offers to serve in an elected position; in fact we would encourage everyone to get involved serving on a committee or running for a select board or planning board position. As Maine Municipal states in their articles voters are angry, it’s not voter apathy, but the feeling that the deals are already cut and dried and their vote doesn’t matter – we opt to change that view of our town and have everyone involved in the decision making process.
A slew of hyper-local government watchdog and advocacy groups have popped up in Maine — formed by residents fed up with how tax dollars are spent and with elected officials they believe do not listen.
CCC’s mission said Lorin LeCleire, a founding member, is to inform people how their tax dollars are being spent. The group came together when they felt that the small board “was doing things under the table” LeCleire said.
The group is pushing for more transparent information, publishing of notices, a website and easier access to public documents.
Concern over how dollars are spent also spawned the Concerned Citizens of Clifton.
“Like everyone else, we see escalating property taxes and a lack of transparency in how things are handled,” said LeCleire, a founding member. “We want more transparency in the municipal government and accountability.” “We try to be the voice of people in town.”
The group is intended to be progressive with a mission to "promote ethics and accountability in government and public life by targeting government officials - regardless of party affiliation - who sacrifice the common good to special interests." CCC will advance its mission by engaging in public advocacy, public discussions, creating a shadow board to review events, Freedom of Information Act requests, media outreach and official complaints to government agencies such as the Maine Municipal Association and Attorney General’s Office if warranted.
We commend anyone who offers to serve in an elected position; in fact we would encourage everyone to get involved serving on a committee or running for a select board or planning board position. As Maine Municipal states in their articles voters are angry, it’s not voter apathy, but the feeling that the deals are already cut and dried and their vote doesn’t matter – we opt to change that view of our town and have everyone involved in the decision making process.
Conflicts on Plowing!
Conflicts of Interests, Contracts and Plowing
As is the usual case in most small Maine towns, those without a public works department, a contract is awarded for winter maintenance or as is commonly referred to as the “plow contract”.
In Clifton the voters have allowed the select board to enter into multiple year contracts in a effort to reduce costs, all vendors a chance to make it worth their efforts and to lower paperwork associated with contracts.
In general Clifton is governed by Maine Statute’s, policies and directives suggested by Maine Municipal Association (an Association much like the NRA or Maine Dairy Farmers, it does not own or direct the town, nor is there a requirement the town be a member of MMA) and ordinances and wishes established by its residents.
These cover a board section of town government including Freedom of Information, public meetings, ethics, code of conduct, bidding ordinances, contract administration and employment law to list a few.
Over the past several cycles the “plow” contract has been a renewal three year agreement with the selected contractor.
The Town of Clifton has a bid ordinance enacted and recently amended by the voters (2010) requiring competitive bidding. There is an outline of steps for bidding in the Maine Municpal Manual on page 114 and strong advise from MMA that MMA itself can provide a model plow contract.
The bid process itself has some basic steps: specifications for the job, publishing notices (to avoid challenges to the bid and allowing fair and open bidding; opening and reviewing bids; accepting and awarding the winning bid. MMA also suggests language to avoid conflict of interest or perceived conflicts when hiring employees or contractors.
This was the year for renewal of our “plow” contract, from all indications there was a public publishing of soliciting bids for winter sand and plowing.
At the September meeting sealed bids were opened the stock pile of sand and plowing.
It should be noted that many Maine towns attempt to keep the work in town and employee local business. To this end they have ordinances allowing a 10% over run, meaning as long as the local bidder is within 10% of the low bid, it may be awarded to the local contractor. However Clifton doesn’t have such an ordinance at the time of this writing. It does however reserve the right to reject any and all bids by plainly stating such on the invitation is it so chose to do so.
Bids were opened and the stock piling of sand went for the first time in recent memory to an out of town bidder, the usual in town bidder was higher by a few hundred dollars. Remember, this is key to the questions coming forward. It was moved to accept the low bid in an effort to save money. Not based on experience, keeping sand and plowing together to avoid conflicts and problems as has occurred in the past, but because it was the low bid.
Next was the awarding of the plow contract. There were two bids, that of a local bidder and that of a person from out of town. The difference in pricing was great, exceeding $10,000 dollars. The bid was awarded by the board to the local contractor for the same price as previous years. It appeared that all was well, IT IS NOT.
Somewhere or how in the next few weeks a move was undertaken to void the opened and awarded plow contract with motions by Hatch, Jordan and Beachamp.
At the October meeting calls were placed with other vendors (not formal bids) and in fact the bidder who had play his card and his pricing asked for the new formal bid – the answer was that the town didn’t have a written specification bid this time – in a flurry the clerk made calls and to protect there interest provided the old bid sheet to the contractor.
At the next meeting, in a deal that had folks around town commenting a “ back room deal” “good old boy network” “or they are friends and didn’t like the previous contractor”, bids were opened and this time the two bids were from the previous awarded contractor and previous winter maintenance contractor and a new contractor, the husband of the clerk.
Within seconds, a new bid was awarded by (Hatch, Jordan and Beachamp) to the husband of the clerk for $13,000 more than the low bid. It should be pointed out that the previous awarded bidder had lowered his bid from the previous bid by a $1,000. This is what we call GREAT management of our tax dollars – looks like the ethics problems have come to Clifton from another town.
This does not even pass the straight faced test! It doesn’t smell right or appear right. Was the bid re published in the paper inviting formal bids?. Was the previous contract award resinded? Was certified mail with 10 day notice, as required by the contract ever sent to the previous contractor? Was there a meeting with the previous contractor? Did the new contractor have experience with plowing our town roads? Were the same requirements applied to both contractors regarding equipment? Clearly NO since they are sanding at 20 mph with a pickup sander something prohibited under previous contracts.
In fact having ridden with previous contractors and videoed the plowing efforts I know that in one application of sanding it takes at least four full dump truck loads of sand. A minimum of two loads for Route 180 and two additional loads for the remainder of town. And this is just one application and most storms require multiple applications.
This is just the kind of process that gets town’s in hot water, creates law suits and gets voters to the point of “throw the bums out”!
We wonder why voters are angry –
As a former select person, customers (that is what residents are) called and commented to me that the road was ice on the first storm, something that hasn’t happened for a long time. I suggested calling the folks that voted for the new contractor or better yet make it a matter of public record – call the Regional Dispatch Center or the Maine Department of Transportation. Image my surprise when dispatch contacted the previous plow contractor to sand the roads. A few hours later a pickup comes screaming up the road with a “wheelbarrow” sander in the back attempting to sand – it was a waste and made no difference whatsoever in the conditions, in fact the bus turn around wasn’t even plowed or sanded.
So during the course of the winter to insure that proper record of complaints is filed I suggest that you contact Regional Dispatch at 945-4636. Dispatch will contact the plow contractor and send a duplicate information sheet to the select board – there is no sense getting involved in family matters at the town office.
As was the case years ago, we haven’t learned from out mistakes, we probably will wind up paying out the nose and spending thousands on lawyers and lawsuits. From what I hear we have spent that on lawyers already……
As is the usual case in most small Maine towns, those without a public works department, a contract is awarded for winter maintenance or as is commonly referred to as the “plow contract”.
In Clifton the voters have allowed the select board to enter into multiple year contracts in a effort to reduce costs, all vendors a chance to make it worth their efforts and to lower paperwork associated with contracts.
In general Clifton is governed by Maine Statute’s, policies and directives suggested by Maine Municipal Association (an Association much like the NRA or Maine Dairy Farmers, it does not own or direct the town, nor is there a requirement the town be a member of MMA) and ordinances and wishes established by its residents.
These cover a board section of town government including Freedom of Information, public meetings, ethics, code of conduct, bidding ordinances, contract administration and employment law to list a few.
Over the past several cycles the “plow” contract has been a renewal three year agreement with the selected contractor.
The Town of Clifton has a bid ordinance enacted and recently amended by the voters (2010) requiring competitive bidding. There is an outline of steps for bidding in the Maine Municpal Manual on page 114 and strong advise from MMA that MMA itself can provide a model plow contract.
The bid process itself has some basic steps: specifications for the job, publishing notices (to avoid challenges to the bid and allowing fair and open bidding; opening and reviewing bids; accepting and awarding the winning bid. MMA also suggests language to avoid conflict of interest or perceived conflicts when hiring employees or contractors.
This was the year for renewal of our “plow” contract, from all indications there was a public publishing of soliciting bids for winter sand and plowing.
At the September meeting sealed bids were opened the stock pile of sand and plowing.
It should be noted that many Maine towns attempt to keep the work in town and employee local business. To this end they have ordinances allowing a 10% over run, meaning as long as the local bidder is within 10% of the low bid, it may be awarded to the local contractor. However Clifton doesn’t have such an ordinance at the time of this writing. It does however reserve the right to reject any and all bids by plainly stating such on the invitation is it so chose to do so.
Bids were opened and the stock piling of sand went for the first time in recent memory to an out of town bidder, the usual in town bidder was higher by a few hundred dollars. Remember, this is key to the questions coming forward. It was moved to accept the low bid in an effort to save money. Not based on experience, keeping sand and plowing together to avoid conflicts and problems as has occurred in the past, but because it was the low bid.
Next was the awarding of the plow contract. There were two bids, that of a local bidder and that of a person from out of town. The difference in pricing was great, exceeding $10,000 dollars. The bid was awarded by the board to the local contractor for the same price as previous years. It appeared that all was well, IT IS NOT.
Somewhere or how in the next few weeks a move was undertaken to void the opened and awarded plow contract with motions by Hatch, Jordan and Beachamp.
At the October meeting calls were placed with other vendors (not formal bids) and in fact the bidder who had play his card and his pricing asked for the new formal bid – the answer was that the town didn’t have a written specification bid this time – in a flurry the clerk made calls and to protect there interest provided the old bid sheet to the contractor.
At the next meeting, in a deal that had folks around town commenting a “ back room deal” “good old boy network” “or they are friends and didn’t like the previous contractor”, bids were opened and this time the two bids were from the previous awarded contractor and previous winter maintenance contractor and a new contractor, the husband of the clerk.
Within seconds, a new bid was awarded by (Hatch, Jordan and Beachamp) to the husband of the clerk for $13,000 more than the low bid. It should be pointed out that the previous awarded bidder had lowered his bid from the previous bid by a $1,000. This is what we call GREAT management of our tax dollars – looks like the ethics problems have come to Clifton from another town.
This does not even pass the straight faced test! It doesn’t smell right or appear right. Was the bid re published in the paper inviting formal bids?. Was the previous contract award resinded? Was certified mail with 10 day notice, as required by the contract ever sent to the previous contractor? Was there a meeting with the previous contractor? Did the new contractor have experience with plowing our town roads? Were the same requirements applied to both contractors regarding equipment? Clearly NO since they are sanding at 20 mph with a pickup sander something prohibited under previous contracts.
In fact having ridden with previous contractors and videoed the plowing efforts I know that in one application of sanding it takes at least four full dump truck loads of sand. A minimum of two loads for Route 180 and two additional loads for the remainder of town. And this is just one application and most storms require multiple applications.
This is just the kind of process that gets town’s in hot water, creates law suits and gets voters to the point of “throw the bums out”!
We wonder why voters are angry –
As a former select person, customers (that is what residents are) called and commented to me that the road was ice on the first storm, something that hasn’t happened for a long time. I suggested calling the folks that voted for the new contractor or better yet make it a matter of public record – call the Regional Dispatch Center or the Maine Department of Transportation. Image my surprise when dispatch contacted the previous plow contractor to sand the roads. A few hours later a pickup comes screaming up the road with a “wheelbarrow” sander in the back attempting to sand – it was a waste and made no difference whatsoever in the conditions, in fact the bus turn around wasn’t even plowed or sanded.
So during the course of the winter to insure that proper record of complaints is filed I suggest that you contact Regional Dispatch at 945-4636. Dispatch will contact the plow contractor and send a duplicate information sheet to the select board – there is no sense getting involved in family matters at the town office.
As was the case years ago, we haven’t learned from out mistakes, we probably will wind up paying out the nose and spending thousands on lawyers and lawsuits. From what I hear we have spent that on lawyers already……
The Public's Trust
The Public’s Trust
It is an honor and privilege to serve as a public official; it is not a position of power or one to reward friends or co-workers or one to seek special favors or for financial gain.
As elected public officials there are certain core values critical to maintaining the public’s trust of their respective local government. Honesty, integrity and openness are some of the moral and ethical values topping the list for public officials.
The Freedom of Information Act, voting and the right to free speech are just some of the protections put in place to allow citizens the right to oversee their governments. While this cannot always stop back room deals and shady business practices, it allows the public a means by which to call out issues of concern. Power and greed many times confuse the issue of doing “what is just and right”.
A short time ago a local resident who was hired as an assistant for the Town of Clifton put forth excellent draft language for ordinance consideration to the board of selectman. There were two draft ordinances, the first related to a “code of ethics” and the second was “provisions for recalling selectman”. Neither of these two documents saw a true reading or public hearing, nor did they get presented to the citizens of the town at the annual town meeting. Instead they were filed away.
The standards to which we hold our public officials are high and rightfully so, with that in mind efforts should be made to insure we have a “code of conduct and ethics” along with “recall” provisions to protect the values and wishes of the residents.
As a member of the CCCC (Concerned Citizens of Clifton Council) it is our hope that selectman will draft a model Ethics and Recall provision can be drafted by Maine Municipal Association and presented to the citizens at the 2011 Annual Spring Meeting.
It is an honor and privilege to serve as a public official; it is not a position of power or one to reward friends or co-workers or one to seek special favors or for financial gain.
As elected public officials there are certain core values critical to maintaining the public’s trust of their respective local government. Honesty, integrity and openness are some of the moral and ethical values topping the list for public officials.
The Freedom of Information Act, voting and the right to free speech are just some of the protections put in place to allow citizens the right to oversee their governments. While this cannot always stop back room deals and shady business practices, it allows the public a means by which to call out issues of concern. Power and greed many times confuse the issue of doing “what is just and right”.
A short time ago a local resident who was hired as an assistant for the Town of Clifton put forth excellent draft language for ordinance consideration to the board of selectman. There were two draft ordinances, the first related to a “code of ethics” and the second was “provisions for recalling selectman”. Neither of these two documents saw a true reading or public hearing, nor did they get presented to the citizens of the town at the annual town meeting. Instead they were filed away.
The standards to which we hold our public officials are high and rightfully so, with that in mind efforts should be made to insure we have a “code of conduct and ethics” along with “recall” provisions to protect the values and wishes of the residents.
As a member of the CCCC (Concerned Citizens of Clifton Council) it is our hope that selectman will draft a model Ethics and Recall provision can be drafted by Maine Municipal Association and presented to the citizens at the 2011 Annual Spring Meeting.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Cutting
Well the crew has surveyed and is getting ready to move into the cutting position. Wood cutting that is, as many know, some of the Williams land were sold. Cutting was completed on the 180 lot and now the forwarders and hand crews are set to cut the Bobcat Rd lot before moving down the road to Amherset, they plan on select cuts as house lots are being considered in the five year plan. Lets hope the weather holds off and the road stays in good shape.
Carolyn Baker
While I was away in the Allagash we lost a dear friend, Carolyn Baker. My heart goes out to her and her family. I have known Carolyn since I was a youngin as her husband worked with "johnny" at the Water District and the pond. We shared many laughs over the years and will be strongly remembered.
18 July 2010
Carolyn Ann Shuman Baker
Carolyn Ann Shuman Baker EDDINGTON, ME - Carolyn Ann Shuman Baker, age 60, passed away at the Maine Medical Center, Portland Maine, July 12, 2010. She had been battling kidney disease for several years. She was a resident of Eddington ME. She is survived by her loving husband Charles Lewis Baker Sr., her sons Charles Lewis Baker Jr., Arthur Rodney Baker and wife Dianna and her daughter Dina Maria Baker. Carolyn (Lynn) was the daughter of the late Lawrence E. Shuman and Margaret Moore Shuman of Mt. Pleasant S.C. She had two brothers and six sisters, Lawrence E. Shuman Jr. and wife Donna, Harold S. Shuman and wife Emma, Rebecca S. Penington and husband Elliott, Catherine G. Shuman and Bernardine S. Walker and husband Cary all from Mt. Pleasant S.C. Margaret L. Hughes and husband James of Roscommon MI., Sarah S. Sherman and husband Mike from Charleston S.C. and Maria S. Hudson and husband Mark from the Isle of Palms S.C. She also had many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her mother-in law Mary Baker and sisters in-law Cathy Baker and Becky Baker all of Eddington, Maine. Other relatives include her uncle the late Arthur B. Moore Jr. and wife Catherine M. Moore of Summerville, S.C., her aunt Ann E. Moore of Charleston S.C, her aunt James M. Dovre and husband Alfred of Mt. Pleasant S.C. and her uncle Jack Shuman and wife Barbara also from Mt. Pleasant S.C. Lynn was the first baby to be born in Charleston County on January 1, 1950. She attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Charleston S.C., St. Mary Help of Christian's Catholic School in Aiken S.C. and she graduated from Huntsville High School in Huntsville Alabama. She also attended Calhoun Jr. College in Huntsville Alabama. Lynn moved to Eddington, Maine with her husband in July of 1969. Lynn was very active as a volunteer in her community. She worked as a librarian at the Clifton Library in Clifton, Maine for over 20 years. She was active in the Girl Scouts of America. She traveled with the Chess Team at John the Baptist Catholic High School in Bangor Maine. Funeral Services will be held in Eddington, Maine. A Memorial Mass will be said in Charleston, S.C. at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lynn's memory to the Clifton Library, 135 Airline Road, Clifton, Maine 04428, attention Select Men of the Town of Clifton.
18 July 2010
Carolyn Ann Shuman Baker
Carolyn Ann Shuman Baker EDDINGTON, ME - Carolyn Ann Shuman Baker, age 60, passed away at the Maine Medical Center, Portland Maine, July 12, 2010. She had been battling kidney disease for several years. She was a resident of Eddington ME. She is survived by her loving husband Charles Lewis Baker Sr., her sons Charles Lewis Baker Jr., Arthur Rodney Baker and wife Dianna and her daughter Dina Maria Baker. Carolyn (Lynn) was the daughter of the late Lawrence E. Shuman and Margaret Moore Shuman of Mt. Pleasant S.C. She had two brothers and six sisters, Lawrence E. Shuman Jr. and wife Donna, Harold S. Shuman and wife Emma, Rebecca S. Penington and husband Elliott, Catherine G. Shuman and Bernardine S. Walker and husband Cary all from Mt. Pleasant S.C. Margaret L. Hughes and husband James of Roscommon MI., Sarah S. Sherman and husband Mike from Charleston S.C. and Maria S. Hudson and husband Mark from the Isle of Palms S.C. She also had many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her mother-in law Mary Baker and sisters in-law Cathy Baker and Becky Baker all of Eddington, Maine. Other relatives include her uncle the late Arthur B. Moore Jr. and wife Catherine M. Moore of Summerville, S.C., her aunt Ann E. Moore of Charleston S.C, her aunt James M. Dovre and husband Alfred of Mt. Pleasant S.C. and her uncle Jack Shuman and wife Barbara also from Mt. Pleasant S.C. Lynn was the first baby to be born in Charleston County on January 1, 1950. She attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Charleston S.C., St. Mary Help of Christian's Catholic School in Aiken S.C. and she graduated from Huntsville High School in Huntsville Alabama. She also attended Calhoun Jr. College in Huntsville Alabama. Lynn moved to Eddington, Maine with her husband in July of 1969. Lynn was very active as a volunteer in her community. She worked as a librarian at the Clifton Library in Clifton, Maine for over 20 years. She was active in the Girl Scouts of America. She traveled with the Chess Team at John the Baptist Catholic High School in Bangor Maine. Funeral Services will be held in Eddington, Maine. A Memorial Mass will be said in Charleston, S.C. at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lynn's memory to the Clifton Library, 135 Airline Road, Clifton, Maine 04428, attention Select Men of the Town of Clifton.
Bear Season
Well another bear season is upon and things are busy. Looks to be a fair season, however weather conditions have not been very favorable. The morning breakfast at Amherset general shows the tote board a little behind last year, but as the weather changes things should improve.
The new book is out - Bear Hunting in Maine and is available at local stores and public library. In addition to the outdoor newspapers, articles have been selected by major publication for reprint from the mainefishgame site.
Wish you all the best in your travel in the woods and waters of Maine.
If you are looking for some last minute camping spots, don't forget the Machias River, just a few miles down Route 9, with plenty of sites and located on Maine longest free flowing river the joy of eagles, osprey, beaver and fish is bound to create enjoyment. Having spent much of the last month on the waterway and in the Allagash region during the heat, it was hard to find enough water to put the kayak in.
The new book is out - Bear Hunting in Maine and is available at local stores and public library. In addition to the outdoor newspapers, articles have been selected by major publication for reprint from the mainefishgame site.
Wish you all the best in your travel in the woods and waters of Maine.
If you are looking for some last minute camping spots, don't forget the Machias River, just a few miles down Route 9, with plenty of sites and located on Maine longest free flowing river the joy of eagles, osprey, beaver and fish is bound to create enjoyment. Having spent much of the last month on the waterway and in the Allagash region during the heat, it was hard to find enough water to put the kayak in.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Amherst Mountain Plan
The Maine Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands invites
you to attend a Public Meeting on the Amherst Mountains Community Forest
Management Plan on March 17th at 6:30 p.m. at the Bangor Motor Inn &
Conference Center located at 701 Hogan Road in Bangor.
The Amherst Mountains Community Forest (AMCF) is a unique
state-municipal partnership involving 4,974 acres of forestland
surrounding six ponds in the town of Amherst. The parcel was acquired
by the Maine Department of Conservation with assistance from the Forest
Society of Maine in June of 2009, with funds from the Forest Legacy
Program, the Lands for Maine's Future program and numerous charitable
foundations and individuals.
The purpose of the Public Meeting is to collect information and to hear
comments from the general public regarding the management of this
parcel. Public knowledge of the region will help shape the plan, which
will provide resource protection and management guidance for this
property over the next 15-year period.
An Advisory Committee has been formed to provide additional input and to
review drafts of the plan. A second public meeting will be scheduled in
June to receive feedback on a final draft. Comments are invited
throughout the planning process.
More information on the management planning process is available at
http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/planning/amherstmountains/index.
shtml. Please feel free to contact me with questions or to submit
written comments.
Please circulate this invitation to interested parties.
Thank you.
Misha Mytar
Senior Planner
Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands
P.O. Box 343
Sullivan, ME 04664
(207) 460-4818
misha.mytar@maine.gov
www.parksandlands.com
you to attend a Public Meeting on the Amherst Mountains Community Forest
Management Plan on March 17th at 6:30 p.m. at the Bangor Motor Inn &
Conference Center located at 701 Hogan Road in Bangor.
The Amherst Mountains Community Forest (AMCF) is a unique
state-municipal partnership involving 4,974 acres of forestland
surrounding six ponds in the town of Amherst. The parcel was acquired
by the Maine Department of Conservation with assistance from the Forest
Society of Maine in June of 2009, with funds from the Forest Legacy
Program, the Lands for Maine's Future program and numerous charitable
foundations and individuals.
The purpose of the Public Meeting is to collect information and to hear
comments from the general public regarding the management of this
parcel. Public knowledge of the region will help shape the plan, which
will provide resource protection and management guidance for this
property over the next 15-year period.
An Advisory Committee has been formed to provide additional input and to
review drafts of the plan. A second public meeting will be scheduled in
June to receive feedback on a final draft. Comments are invited
throughout the planning process.
More information on the management planning process is available at
http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/planning/amherstmountains/index.
shtml. Please feel free to contact me with questions or to submit
written comments.
Please circulate this invitation to interested parties.
Thank you.
Misha Mytar
Senior Planner
Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands
P.O. Box 343
Sullivan, ME 04664
(207) 460-4818
misha.mytar@maine.gov
www.parksandlands.com
Amherst Mountain Plan
The Maine Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands invites
you to attend a Public Meeting on the Amherst Mountains Community Forest
Management Plan on March 17th at 6:30 p.m. at the Bangor Motor Inn &
Conference Center located at 701 Hogan Road in Bangor.
The Amherst Mountains Community Forest (AMCF) is a unique
state-municipal partnership involving 4,974 acres of forestland
surrounding six ponds in the town of Amherst. The parcel was acquired
by the Maine Department of Conservation with assistance from the Forest
Society of Maine in June of 2009, with funds from the Forest Legacy
Program, the Lands for Maine's Future program and numerous charitable
foundations and individuals.
The purpose of the Public Meeting is to collect information and to hear
comments from the general public regarding the management of this
parcel. Public knowledge of the region will help shape the plan, which
will provide resource protection and management guidance for this
property over the next 15-year period.
An Advisory Committee has been formed to provide additional input and to
review drafts of the plan. A second public meeting will be scheduled in
June to receive feedback on a final draft. Comments are invited
throughout the planning process.
More information on the management planning process is available at
http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/planning/amherstmountains/index.
shtml. Please feel free to contact me with questions or to submit
written comments.
Please circulate this invitation to interested parties.
Thank you.
Misha Mytar
Senior Planner
Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands
P.O. Box 343
Sullivan, ME 04664
(207) 460-4818
misha.mytar@maine.gov
www.parksandlands.com
you to attend a Public Meeting on the Amherst Mountains Community Forest
Management Plan on March 17th at 6:30 p.m. at the Bangor Motor Inn &
Conference Center located at 701 Hogan Road in Bangor.
The Amherst Mountains Community Forest (AMCF) is a unique
state-municipal partnership involving 4,974 acres of forestland
surrounding six ponds in the town of Amherst. The parcel was acquired
by the Maine Department of Conservation with assistance from the Forest
Society of Maine in June of 2009, with funds from the Forest Legacy
Program, the Lands for Maine's Future program and numerous charitable
foundations and individuals.
The purpose of the Public Meeting is to collect information and to hear
comments from the general public regarding the management of this
parcel. Public knowledge of the region will help shape the plan, which
will provide resource protection and management guidance for this
property over the next 15-year period.
An Advisory Committee has been formed to provide additional input and to
review drafts of the plan. A second public meeting will be scheduled in
June to receive feedback on a final draft. Comments are invited
throughout the planning process.
More information on the management planning process is available at
http://www.maine.gov/doc/parks/programs/planning/amherstmountains/index.
shtml. Please feel free to contact me with questions or to submit
written comments.
Please circulate this invitation to interested parties.
Thank you.
Misha Mytar
Senior Planner
Maine Bureau of Parks & Lands
P.O. Box 343
Sullivan, ME 04664
(207) 460-4818
misha.mytar@maine.gov
www.parksandlands.com
Monday, March 8, 2010
Never Enough Time
I would like to share a few thoughts on information. The blog world, facebooke, myspace, instant message and all the other social networks really keeps folks in touch. But in a rural small town, without anything but dial up service, where most people are blue collar workers - getting the word out is all but impossible. Second to that is getting folks to understand certain programs and complete PAPERWORK.
I talking around town with friends (very little of them) and neighbors I am shocked to find that many or most have never heard of the homestead exemption. The state program that reimburses the town up to $13,000 of valuation and reduces your taxes by $13,000 evaluation or at 11.11 mill rate per $1,000 = $145 off your tax bill. You can say its in the town report, but do people one get the report and two do they read and understand it? There is also a veterans and farm exemption program.
Then comes the land use ordinance. I asked about what people thought about the proposed ordinance and if they had heard about it. The answer was no, yet they do remember seeing the ads in the recent newsletter, but the rest was jumbo reading. Needs to be flashy, eye catchers and pictures. I told most they could view the document on line - but no internet service or the town office, it was a few hundred pages long - we don't go to the office except to register the car and certainly don't have time to read such a document.
Then a resident gave it to me straight. We get up at 5 a.m., get ready for work, kids for school. Go to work, then home, school work, try to figure out supper. We are worried about what we can afford for groceries and how to make rent/house payment and gasoline for the car. Then to bed and get ready for the next day. The only paper we read is at work, if they get it. Family is first, don't have time to travel around and visit all these things. Our only day off is weekends, the town office is closed and if it was open, that is our family time.
There you have it in a nut shell! And I think this is the case for most working people. Only self employed or retired folks really have the time to committ to learning all these things. Those others that are involved are gifted and are cutting down on family time without question.
So how to we inform our citizens about programs that can save them money? I was talking with people that bought homes and didn't know about the thousands they can get back under the federal program. People that don't have health or let alone life insurance. Folks that don't know how to do a 1040 form.
Very few knew about the food pantry.
EVERYONE I SPOKE WITH IS BROKE, there is little if any savings and decisions are being made daily on fuel oil or groceries. So many are laid off - about 75 of our 750or so residents.
I don't have the answers, but when folks aren't educated by the their leaders about basic programs we have problems. I really would like to hear any ideas that you might have on how we can educate our residents.
I talking around town with friends (very little of them) and neighbors I am shocked to find that many or most have never heard of the homestead exemption. The state program that reimburses the town up to $13,000 of valuation and reduces your taxes by $13,000 evaluation or at 11.11 mill rate per $1,000 = $145 off your tax bill. You can say its in the town report, but do people one get the report and two do they read and understand it? There is also a veterans and farm exemption program.
Then comes the land use ordinance. I asked about what people thought about the proposed ordinance and if they had heard about it. The answer was no, yet they do remember seeing the ads in the recent newsletter, but the rest was jumbo reading. Needs to be flashy, eye catchers and pictures. I told most they could view the document on line - but no internet service or the town office, it was a few hundred pages long - we don't go to the office except to register the car and certainly don't have time to read such a document.
Then a resident gave it to me straight. We get up at 5 a.m., get ready for work, kids for school. Go to work, then home, school work, try to figure out supper. We are worried about what we can afford for groceries and how to make rent/house payment and gasoline for the car. Then to bed and get ready for the next day. The only paper we read is at work, if they get it. Family is first, don't have time to travel around and visit all these things. Our only day off is weekends, the town office is closed and if it was open, that is our family time.
There you have it in a nut shell! And I think this is the case for most working people. Only self employed or retired folks really have the time to committ to learning all these things. Those others that are involved are gifted and are cutting down on family time without question.
So how to we inform our citizens about programs that can save them money? I was talking with people that bought homes and didn't know about the thousands they can get back under the federal program. People that don't have health or let alone life insurance. Folks that don't know how to do a 1040 form.
Very few knew about the food pantry.
EVERYONE I SPOKE WITH IS BROKE, there is little if any savings and decisions are being made daily on fuel oil or groceries. So many are laid off - about 75 of our 750or so residents.
I don't have the answers, but when folks aren't educated by the their leaders about basic programs we have problems. I really would like to hear any ideas that you might have on how we can educate our residents.
Town Report
The Clifton Town Report is available now at the Clifton Country Store or the Town Office a must read for Annual Meeting on March 20th.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Short Stories
After the first book on Bear Hunting in Maine I have been working on a few others. One on how to serve in local rural politics, another Maine Professional Guide Manual, then Life on Alligator and a secret special one. However I have started posting short stories at www.registeredguide.blogspot.com, a link on this page. Hope you enjoy the reads. www.mainefishgame.blogspot.com is kinda of home to the various blogs. At this point I think I am running 29 blogs on various topics including a seperate blog for some famous lakes and ponds. This will allow fisherman and other outdoor folk to add their stories for others to enjoy. Lorin
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
SAD63 Scare
Is SAD63 trying to scare us, sending home a newsletter with budget information talking about an $800,000 short fall and possible 20% taxpayer increase. Talk about a Tea Party Revolt, they must be nuts. If this is the case we better increase class size to state ratio, lay off teachers, cut business manager, do our own payroll and contract out busing. This is like saying the proposed local shoreland zoning ordnance not any more restrictive than the states - if so why do we need it, use the states.
An $800,000 is not all the states fault - it is a lack of planning and poor management, plain and simple. In the real world at a business that means cuts, job sharing and layoff's, SAD63 is no different. It time to take a hard look at mid level and top administration positions. Can we have a foreman or lead man instead of a department head, can we contract out services. We all have to give and if teachers are not interested in opening contracts, then increase ratio of class and reduce staffing. 20% is not acceptable.
An $800,000 is not all the states fault - it is a lack of planning and poor management, plain and simple. In the real world at a business that means cuts, job sharing and layoff's, SAD63 is no different. It time to take a hard look at mid level and top administration positions. Can we have a foreman or lead man instead of a department head, can we contract out services. We all have to give and if teachers are not interested in opening contracts, then increase ratio of class and reduce staffing. 20% is not acceptable.
Cleaning Help and Budget Reduction
I recall years ago with school cuts that students were responsible for their classrooms at the end of each day. They not only swept and picked up the room, but set the trash outside the door for the janitor to pickup. This is a win win, the students learn skills and responsibility, the janitors life and work is reduced so they can have more time to do other projects. I am not talking cleaning and using chemcials, but every day chore in the room. The chemical issue is something different, in fact many schools have switched to "green" chem free cleaning products to avoid such issues. Why is it that what works in the private school or sector can not be done in the public sector.
From the papers that come home each day to newsletter I wonder how much time a teacher or staff spends at the photocopier machine. If the janitor was freed up a few hours by the team cleaning their rooms, why couldn't the janitor at night do the copying for the next day. This is all part of the team approach, everyone owns a peice of the puzzle.
From the papers that come home each day to newsletter I wonder how much time a teacher or staff spends at the photocopier machine. If the janitor was freed up a few hours by the team cleaning their rooms, why couldn't the janitor at night do the copying for the next day. This is all part of the team approach, everyone owns a peice of the puzzle.
School a Commuinty Building
The school is owned by the taxpayers of many different communities in SAD 63, Eddington, Holden and Clifton. The school should be the center of the community and seek or offer to allow groups and activities within. Many school districts offer free internet to residents and in the case of Otis and the management of their school budget offer something that is priceless in the day and age of both parents working. After school care and programs until 6PM each day. No lackkey kids or kids left home running the road, endanger of trying to cook something, or strangers invading a home. A community that is looking to protect its town and kids. Kids can also get tutoring or free gym. There is always the respoonse that we are not the "Y" or can't handle anymore. We all are doing MORE with LESS and in some cases with nothing. What a great way for the community to come together between Ed techs, janitors lending a hand or other staff. We could even start a volunteer program of parents on a rotating schedule to work and mentor our youth, why not in SAD63 and Holbrook. In fact Holbrook doesn't have a booster group or PTF, there is very little parent involvement programs, or fundraising for special projects. This is junior high and support - mentoring is needed more now than ever.
Tuition
Clifton does not have a school, yet? Nor do we have a private academy, yet? What we do have is the right to withdraw from SAD63 and tuition our students to the school of choice. As the 20% budget increase proposed comes near to vote. It might be time to consider doing just that.
Cell Phones, Drinks and Buses
Laptops, computers, DS, cellular phones and more technology equipment is used and being developed everyday to improve our lifes. With it also comes risks and common sense rules. Recently some kids at Brewer were suspended for comments made at home on their computer regarding another school and sports team. While this wasn't the brightest thing they could have done, in my mind it is protected speech. It wasn't on school property, school time or school equipment. If this is the case maybe the school teachers unions should be posting comments about budget cuts or such material. There is a supreme court case ruling in favor of protected speech by public employee - the same holds true in this case.
Now on to cellular phones, they are a fact of life, at school, home, work and just about everywhere we go. There are signs about phone use in hospitals and work places. Work places are now stepping up to restrict use during the day work hours, especially in texting. How many meetings have you been to that someones phone rings?
I agree that cell phones are valuable and can be life saving, but some rules in schools should apply. Trying to find your kid, leave a note for after school, learning where your child or how they are getting home is critical, especially when both parents are working. But SAD63 has not kept pace with the modern world and has double standards on cellular phones. I agree kids should not be allowed to have the phone ON during class, but during break, recess, lunch or at end of day should be allowed to listen to messages or receive a text from home. If bus drivers, staff and teachers can have them on and use them, even stopping class to take a call. Then limited use by kids should be allowed. What is really nice is to listen or watch the records kids do on the bus of activities or words. Most phones take pictures, video and record. You would be suprised by some of the language used.
Then there is the restriction on certain drinks in class. If the child can not have AZ ice tea, then the teacher should not have one in class and drink it in front of the kids. This really is mixed messages.
As part of budget cuts cameras were removed from the bus. Not a day goes by without some type of incident, yet there is no tape, just an empty camera box. There is no way to tell if the bus is moving without kids seated, if brakes are slammed on to get attention, how is jumping around, pushing, fighting and such. We put all this security in place to lock down the school - lets face it, if you want in, just arrive early, late or wait for someone to come out - but no security on the bus holding 45 kids. Is this a good priority?
Now on to cellular phones, they are a fact of life, at school, home, work and just about everywhere we go. There are signs about phone use in hospitals and work places. Work places are now stepping up to restrict use during the day work hours, especially in texting. How many meetings have you been to that someones phone rings?
I agree that cell phones are valuable and can be life saving, but some rules in schools should apply. Trying to find your kid, leave a note for after school, learning where your child or how they are getting home is critical, especially when both parents are working. But SAD63 has not kept pace with the modern world and has double standards on cellular phones. I agree kids should not be allowed to have the phone ON during class, but during break, recess, lunch or at end of day should be allowed to listen to messages or receive a text from home. If bus drivers, staff and teachers can have them on and use them, even stopping class to take a call. Then limited use by kids should be allowed. What is really nice is to listen or watch the records kids do on the bus of activities or words. Most phones take pictures, video and record. You would be suprised by some of the language used.
Then there is the restriction on certain drinks in class. If the child can not have AZ ice tea, then the teacher should not have one in class and drink it in front of the kids. This really is mixed messages.
As part of budget cuts cameras were removed from the bus. Not a day goes by without some type of incident, yet there is no tape, just an empty camera box. There is no way to tell if the bus is moving without kids seated, if brakes are slammed on to get attention, how is jumping around, pushing, fighting and such. We put all this security in place to lock down the school - lets face it, if you want in, just arrive early, late or wait for someone to come out - but no security on the bus holding 45 kids. Is this a good priority?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Roaming Dogs
Over the past few weeks we have had a problem with roaming dogs chasing the livestock, horses and calf. It started out as coyotes in the back pasture doing the chasing, but no shots were taken. Then I looked out last week and saw the coyote coming out of the woods in pursuit of the calf. The .308 with special varmit load (.55gr) was put into action. Just as I was about to dispatch the coyote, with pressure on the trigger I thought something wasn't right. I took the tension off the trigger and clapped my hands. With that the animal stopped and looked directly at me. Using the scope I could see this was a dog with coloring like a coyote. I fired a shot near the creature and it took off running. However that night and the next day they were back chasing the critters. By now there were several calls to the Animal Control and local Game Warden. Then I got a call from the ACO that two dogs matching my discription had attacke a lady in her driveway on the next road over. Then an hour later there was a report of two dead dogs on another road. Upon investigation by the ACO, it appears the dogs were at the end of a driveway. The ACO knocked on the door and the person claimed responsibiilty for the dogs - this person had been warned on at least two occasions regarding the dogs. In fact a few months earlier they had bitten another resident.
So I thought all was taken care of, that is until Sunday when the two dogs were back chasing the livestock. Monday morning they were back again, this time on fresh snow. More calls to the ACO. I put the gear together, including a shotgun, and started a track. I finaly caught up with the dogs, an older dog that had all it could to to walk and a mixed shepard. They would stop, but would not let me near them. I went door to door on Rt 180, Clewely Rd, Route 9, Mill Lane and Molly Road attempting to locate the owner. I had several folks tell me the dogs had been around for a while and were chasing deer and pets. I got back home upset that I could not find the owners, no collars on the dogs could be seen. Then the phone rang, it was a person on Rt 9 about a mile away reporting that she was out with her dog on a leash when suddenly these two dogs came out of the woods and started chasing her. They followed her back home, her husband went after the dogs, but they took off. Are these dropped off dogs or a person that goes to work and lets them run free. What ever is the case it is sad that they will get hit by a car or destroyed for something that the owners are responsible for. But damage to people or to livestock can not be allowed to continue. In fact it is clear from the tracks the dogs have been visiting the local deer yard, however I could not find any blood or injured deer at this time.
So I thought all was taken care of, that is until Sunday when the two dogs were back chasing the livestock. Monday morning they were back again, this time on fresh snow. More calls to the ACO. I put the gear together, including a shotgun, and started a track. I finaly caught up with the dogs, an older dog that had all it could to to walk and a mixed shepard. They would stop, but would not let me near them. I went door to door on Rt 180, Clewely Rd, Route 9, Mill Lane and Molly Road attempting to locate the owner. I had several folks tell me the dogs had been around for a while and were chasing deer and pets. I got back home upset that I could not find the owners, no collars on the dogs could be seen. Then the phone rang, it was a person on Rt 9 about a mile away reporting that she was out with her dog on a leash when suddenly these two dogs came out of the woods and started chasing her. They followed her back home, her husband went after the dogs, but they took off. Are these dropped off dogs or a person that goes to work and lets them run free. What ever is the case it is sad that they will get hit by a car or destroyed for something that the owners are responsible for. But damage to people or to livestock can not be allowed to continue. In fact it is clear from the tracks the dogs have been visiting the local deer yard, however I could not find any blood or injured deer at this time.
Brewer Cabin Fever Releiver
Wow what a great thing in Brewer, the annual Cabin Fever Reliever. A free sportsman show and fly tying this past weekend. Show was both for young and old, great job and contained much information on the outdoors with demos and friends.
March 4th
Big meeting, informal informational meeting I should say on the proposed land use ordinances. Starts at 7PM and all shoudl attend, especially if you own land in Clifton.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Newsletter
CLIFTON NEWS LETTER
Volume 1, Issue 1 Spring 2010
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
SATURDAY MARCH 20, 2010
Voting 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. for Select and School Board Member
Meeting Starts 1:30PM
Absentee ballots are available at the Town Office.
The Town Report, with budget and articles, will soon be available at Clifton Country Store and at the Town Office. Bring to the meeting please.
CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE
SELECT BOARD
Nancy Hatch
Brian Melvin
SCHOOL BOARD
Jessica Gray
THE CLIFTON PLANNING BOARD INVITES YOU TO AN INFORMAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON THE PROPOSED LAND USE ORDINANCE
WHEN: THURSDAY, MARCH 4 TIME: 7:00 PM
WHERE: CLIFTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING
LAND USE REGULATIONS AND PROPOSED ORDINANCE
The planning board has been working for some time on developing a land use and zoning ordinance for the town. You can view their work at http://sites.google.com/stie/cliftonmaineplanningboard/home. You are encouraged to attend the monthly Planning Board Meetings or workshops as they are posted.
QUESTION: WHAT IS A LAND USE ORDINANCE?
ANSWER: A LAND USE ORDINANCE COMBINES ALL THE TOWN’S ORDINANCES THAT ARE ADMINISTERED BY THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND THE PLANNING BOARD AND THE BOARD OF APPEALS INTO ONE COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED SYSTEM OF REGULATION.
WHY? TO GET RID OF INCONSISTENCIES AND CONFLICTS BETWEEN
ORDINANCES AND TO MAKE A MORE FLEXIBLE AND UNDERSTANDABLE PROCESS FOR THE APPLICANT AND FOR THE TOWN
One of the most important questions being asked of the Planning Board about the Land Use Ordinance:
“Isn’t the Land Use Ordinance (LUO) stricter than the Ordinances we have now?”
Provisions of the LUO that are the same or similar to existing ordinances:
• Single family homes are allowed everywhere in Town.
• The Code Enforcement Officer permits single and two family homes everywhere except in the Shore land, where site plan review by the Planning Board is needed.
• Shore land zoning applies to 250’ around great ponds and freshwater wetlands and 75’ along streams.
• Preservation of open space is encouraged.
• Land with steep slopes is not developable.
• Compliance with performance standards for commercial and industrial development ensures that other landowners are not unreasonably harmed.
Provisions of the LUO that are less restrictive than existing ordinances:
• Multi-family housing is allowed.
• Setbacks are reduced on local roads and private ways.
• Lot size and setbacks can be reduced for a cluster subdivision.
• Owners of non-conforming undeveloped lots of record in the Shore land Resource Protection District can apply for a ‘special exception’ building permit.
• Many proposed small businesses can qualify for Home Occupation Level 1 (allowed without a permit) or Home Occupation Level 2 (requires CEO permit only) instead of Planning Board non-residential site plan review.
• Landowners with enough acreage but not enough road frontage can create a lot in the back (a ‘flag lot’).
• Accessory residential units are allowed.
Provisions of the LUO that are more restrictive than existing ordinances:
• By state mandate, more freshwater wetlands are designated “Resource Protection” as high or moderate value waterfowl and wading bird habitat.
• Most moderate and high impact commercial and industrial development is restricted to certain designated areas of Town.
• Mobile home parks (but not individual mobile homes) are more restricted in location.
Significant improvements that the LUO would bring to the Town:
• More and better mapping with digital copies available.
• One set of uniform definitions.
• On-line accessibility of ordinances and information.
• Clearer separation and coordination of CEO and Planning Board duties and responsibilities.
• Shore land and Floodplain provisions compliant with state and federal mandates.
• Reduces Planning Board involvement with smaller projects and gives CEO more latitude.
• Improved and more practical groundwater protection wording.
• Public hearings for interested parties input will be required for specific development such as; industrial wind energy facilities, adult businesses, substance abuse facilities, sexual offender clinics, etc.
• One flexible and multi-purpose application procedure instead of multiple rigid and single-purpose procedures.
• Clarifies vague environmental impact statement requirement with clear and concise guidelines for the applicant.
SPRING CLEAN UP
Spring clean up is going to held June 5th and 6th. For additional information on allowed materials and to pre register if you have not been to clean up before, contact the Town Office.
FOOD CUPBOARD
The Clifton Community Food Bank has been established at the Clifton Baptist Church. The food bank is associated with the Good Shepard Food Bank program in Augusta. The food cupboard is open to all residents on Mondays from 2 p.m. -4 p.m., weather and holidays permitting. Donations are also welcomed.
THE NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the first printing of the Clifton Newsletter, a communication method developed to inform residents. Suggestions for the Newsletter are welcome and will be included where appropriate. When making a submission, please include your name and a phone number so that we may contact you if we need further explaination or clarification. In order to produce this newsletter at reduced costs, the town is seeking business owners who would like to help sponsor the newsletter. Please contact the town office or send your business card to be reviewed by the board. For $25 your advertisement will reach many homes in Clifton. All material is reviewed and approved by the select board prior to publication.
Please support our local sponsors!
Volume 1, Issue 1 Spring 2010
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
SATURDAY MARCH 20, 2010
Voting 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. for Select and School Board Member
Meeting Starts 1:30PM
Absentee ballots are available at the Town Office.
The Town Report, with budget and articles, will soon be available at Clifton Country Store and at the Town Office. Bring to the meeting please.
CANDIDATES FOR OFFICE
SELECT BOARD
Nancy Hatch
Brian Melvin
SCHOOL BOARD
Jessica Gray
THE CLIFTON PLANNING BOARD INVITES YOU TO AN INFORMAL INFORMATIONAL MEETING ON THE PROPOSED LAND USE ORDINANCE
WHEN: THURSDAY, MARCH 4 TIME: 7:00 PM
WHERE: CLIFTON MUNICIPAL BUILDING
LAND USE REGULATIONS AND PROPOSED ORDINANCE
The planning board has been working for some time on developing a land use and zoning ordinance for the town. You can view their work at http://sites.google.com/stie/cliftonmaineplanningboard/home. You are encouraged to attend the monthly Planning Board Meetings or workshops as they are posted.
QUESTION: WHAT IS A LAND USE ORDINANCE?
ANSWER: A LAND USE ORDINANCE COMBINES ALL THE TOWN’S ORDINANCES THAT ARE ADMINISTERED BY THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND THE PLANNING BOARD AND THE BOARD OF APPEALS INTO ONE COMPREHENSIVE AND COORDINATED SYSTEM OF REGULATION.
WHY? TO GET RID OF INCONSISTENCIES AND CONFLICTS BETWEEN
ORDINANCES AND TO MAKE A MORE FLEXIBLE AND UNDERSTANDABLE PROCESS FOR THE APPLICANT AND FOR THE TOWN
One of the most important questions being asked of the Planning Board about the Land Use Ordinance:
“Isn’t the Land Use Ordinance (LUO) stricter than the Ordinances we have now?”
Provisions of the LUO that are the same or similar to existing ordinances:
• Single family homes are allowed everywhere in Town.
• The Code Enforcement Officer permits single and two family homes everywhere except in the Shore land, where site plan review by the Planning Board is needed.
• Shore land zoning applies to 250’ around great ponds and freshwater wetlands and 75’ along streams.
• Preservation of open space is encouraged.
• Land with steep slopes is not developable.
• Compliance with performance standards for commercial and industrial development ensures that other landowners are not unreasonably harmed.
Provisions of the LUO that are less restrictive than existing ordinances:
• Multi-family housing is allowed.
• Setbacks are reduced on local roads and private ways.
• Lot size and setbacks can be reduced for a cluster subdivision.
• Owners of non-conforming undeveloped lots of record in the Shore land Resource Protection District can apply for a ‘special exception’ building permit.
• Many proposed small businesses can qualify for Home Occupation Level 1 (allowed without a permit) or Home Occupation Level 2 (requires CEO permit only) instead of Planning Board non-residential site plan review.
• Landowners with enough acreage but not enough road frontage can create a lot in the back (a ‘flag lot’).
• Accessory residential units are allowed.
Provisions of the LUO that are more restrictive than existing ordinances:
• By state mandate, more freshwater wetlands are designated “Resource Protection” as high or moderate value waterfowl and wading bird habitat.
• Most moderate and high impact commercial and industrial development is restricted to certain designated areas of Town.
• Mobile home parks (but not individual mobile homes) are more restricted in location.
Significant improvements that the LUO would bring to the Town:
• More and better mapping with digital copies available.
• One set of uniform definitions.
• On-line accessibility of ordinances and information.
• Clearer separation and coordination of CEO and Planning Board duties and responsibilities.
• Shore land and Floodplain provisions compliant with state and federal mandates.
• Reduces Planning Board involvement with smaller projects and gives CEO more latitude.
• Improved and more practical groundwater protection wording.
• Public hearings for interested parties input will be required for specific development such as; industrial wind energy facilities, adult businesses, substance abuse facilities, sexual offender clinics, etc.
• One flexible and multi-purpose application procedure instead of multiple rigid and single-purpose procedures.
• Clarifies vague environmental impact statement requirement with clear and concise guidelines for the applicant.
SPRING CLEAN UP
Spring clean up is going to held June 5th and 6th. For additional information on allowed materials and to pre register if you have not been to clean up before, contact the Town Office.
FOOD CUPBOARD
The Clifton Community Food Bank has been established at the Clifton Baptist Church. The food bank is associated with the Good Shepard Food Bank program in Augusta. The food cupboard is open to all residents on Mondays from 2 p.m. -4 p.m., weather and holidays permitting. Donations are also welcomed.
THE NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the first printing of the Clifton Newsletter, a communication method developed to inform residents. Suggestions for the Newsletter are welcome and will be included where appropriate. When making a submission, please include your name and a phone number so that we may contact you if we need further explaination or clarification. In order to produce this newsletter at reduced costs, the town is seeking business owners who would like to help sponsor the newsletter. Please contact the town office or send your business card to be reviewed by the board. For $25 your advertisement will reach many homes in Clifton. All material is reviewed and approved by the select board prior to publication.
Please support our local sponsors!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
TOWN MEETING
Mark your calendars the Annual Town Meeting is the third Saturday of March and starts at 1:30PM.
Education
Well it has been a while my friends and the winter has been long. A lot is being undertaken or talked about regarding our current state of education, that of SAD 63 and the RSU or AOS. I would like to provide a couple of ideas that one might consider. First Clifton has no schools, we are currently a member of SAD 63, of which we could withdraw. Paying over $600,000 a year for 150 students works out to about $4,000 per student. Yet we face over hour bus rides to school, no after school program like Otis offers and there always seems to be turmoil in the district.
How about we withdraw from SAD63 and look at doing things a little different.
1. How about forming an AOS with CSD8, Otis, Amherst, Aurora, Osborn, Great Pond and Clifton.
2. How about no school - so we just tuition our kids to the school of choice, say either Otis or Eddington or Holbrook, much like we do with High Schools.
3. Maybe we should explore creating an academy like Dover and many others do. Then we recruit world wide for students to help off set costs.
We need good busing, after school, sports programs, homeschool study groups, a community school welcomes and that is open to any groups for use. Extra education or workshops on adult education, or maybe cooking, ATV/Sled safety, firearm safety. We need to get back to "community". The current system treats us like they are doing us a favor - it should be pointed out that we the citizens are in charge and the educators and administrators work for the citizens. I would very much like to hear your thoughts on the education system currently before us, its not all about power and control - it should be about education, boosting our youths adventures and seeing that we can move them ahead, hopefully college and a better life.
How about we withdraw from SAD63 and look at doing things a little different.
1. How about forming an AOS with CSD8, Otis, Amherst, Aurora, Osborn, Great Pond and Clifton.
2. How about no school - so we just tuition our kids to the school of choice, say either Otis or Eddington or Holbrook, much like we do with High Schools.
3. Maybe we should explore creating an academy like Dover and many others do. Then we recruit world wide for students to help off set costs.
We need good busing, after school, sports programs, homeschool study groups, a community school welcomes and that is open to any groups for use. Extra education or workshops on adult education, or maybe cooking, ATV/Sled safety, firearm safety. We need to get back to "community". The current system treats us like they are doing us a favor - it should be pointed out that we the citizens are in charge and the educators and administrators work for the citizens. I would very much like to hear your thoughts on the education system currently before us, its not all about power and control - it should be about education, boosting our youths adventures and seeing that we can move them ahead, hopefully college and a better life.
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