Couple setting up English antique store

PHILLIPS — Bill Reed and his wife, Susan Hunnisett-Reed, have a vision.

The couple, formerly of England, are renovating a 23-room Victorian house at 53 Main St. into a place where they will sell English antiques and offer English teas.

The house had been converted to four apartments, but they're restoring it to an earlier era. The main portion was built in 1860 and moved from Weld to its current spot in about 1900. The rest was added afterward, Reed said.

County's personnel policy under review

FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners indicated Tuesday that they would be in favor of paying time and a half to nonunion hourly employees required to work on a holiday, but they didn't take a vote.

Deputy Clerk/Deputy Treasurer Charisse Keach brought some issues to the commissioners regarding possible changes that may be proposed by the Personnel Policy Review Committee. The policy governs nonunion workers and is in the process of being updated.

UMF launches outdoor-rec degree program

FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington announced Wednesday the start of a new business degree program aimed at preparing students for positions in the recreation and tourism field.

A bachelor of arts degree in outdoor recreation business administration will be offered starting in the fall of 2010, UMF President Theodora J. Kalikow said Wednesday.

The new program was developed in cooperation with Maine recreation industry leaders.

Santa’s workshop, holiday parade now town sponsored

LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen voted Monday to create a Santa's Workshop Committee to oversee the holiday parade and a workshop for children to buy gifts for family members in December.

The board named Selectman Jackie Knight as chairwoman. Other members are Rachel LaBrecque, Carmen Cullen and Barbara Cook. The committee will serve for a year.

The board's sanctioning of the committee means the parade that ushers Santa in on a firetruck down Main Street in Jay and Livermore Falls will be covered by the town's insurance, Town Manager Jim Chaousis said.

Commissioners approve agreement with agency

FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners Tuesday approved a draft agreement with the Greater Franklin Development Corp. of Farmington to provide services for projects financed with Kibby Wind Power Project taxes.

Big red ride

Donna M. Perry/Sun Journal
Jay middle and elementary school students who attended the Jay Fire Department's open house on Thursday had a chance to win rides to school in firetrucks. Engines 1 and 3 came up the drive to the middle school Tuesday with lights flashing. Pictured, from left, are Jay Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Tim Toothaker, Cherise Williams, Mackenzie Osgood, Bethany Burnell, Cassidy Williams, Autumn Keller, McKinley Macomber, Isaac Frost, Gary Wright, Colby Diaz and Tyler Michaud with firefighter Deric DiGiuseppe in back.

Students to showcase cartoons, dance evolution

Donna M. Perry/Sun Journal

Town to buy accident insurance to cover firefighters

LIVERMORE — Selectpersons voted Monday to buy insurance to cover volunteer firefighters if they get hurt while carrying out their duties, select board administrative assistant Kurt Schaub said Tuesday.

The cost for the Maine Municipal Association insurance is $44.61 per firefighter, he said. There are about 15 firefighters, he said, so the cost will be about $600. The town's insurance budget line will cover the cost due to the retirement of an employee.

Fire Chief Don Castonguay had previously asked the board to provide the insurance.

TABOR II's impact on Maine's people topic of panel discussion

FARMINGTON — A panel discussion titled "TABOR II: Impact on Maine and Its People" begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, in the Education Center lobby on High Street at the University of Maine at Farmington.

The public is welcome to attend the discussion, viewed on a large screen as it is live-streamed from the University of Maine at Orono.

Eighth-graders rewarded with limo ride

FARMINGTON — Reaping the reward of their effort, four top fundraisers and their guests from Mt. Blue Middle School spent two hours riding in style Tuesday with stops for lunch, shopping and to see what was happening at Mt. Blue High School.

The eighth-grade Katahdin Community team, totaling about 100 students or half the class, recently spent a couple weeks selling Yankee candles to raise funds for field experiences for students on the Katahdin Community team, teacher Maureen Oswald said.

Board tables commissioner's request for $5,500 for dispatch services

LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen on Monday tabled action on a request by Androscoggin County commissioners to pay $5,500 to cover the cost of additional dispatchers from Nov. 23 to Dec. 31.

Livermore Falls Police Dispatch Center is closing Nov. 23 and the county will take over dispatching for them.

Voters lift building ban on lot

NEW SHARON — Residents voted 32-19 Saturday to lift a building restriction on a section of the property of Alton and Janet Kennedy, the owners of Imelda's Fabrics and Designs on Starks Road, selectmen's Chairman Maynard Webster said Monday.

The Kennedys received a permit from the code enforcement officer to build, and the couple's son started construction of the 20 by 40-foot, two-story storage building on the property. They then learned there was a deed restriction that was transferred when they bought the property in 2004.

Fire damages camp

INDUSTRY — Fire heavily damaged the first floor of a two-story camp on Clearwater Lake early Sunday, town fire Chief Joe Paradis said Monday. The cause was an overheated wood stove, which ignited combustibles, including the ceiling.

About 35 firefighters from Industry, Farmington and New Sharon responded to put out the fire and kept flames from spreading to nearby camps. The area is congested, Paradis said, with the closest camp about 30 feet away.

When firefighters arrived, Paradis said, fire was coming out the first-floor windows.

Down with the trees

Three large and two small dead trees were taken down Monday on Perham Street in Farmington in a joint effort between the town's Public Works Dept. and Central Maine Power, Public Works Director Denis Castonguay said.

 

New sign goes up with hopes for a new beginning

LIVERMORE FALLS — A new "Welcome to Livermore Falls" sign went up Monday morning near the Jay line with the hopes of a new beginning for the town.

Local artist Heidi Wilde of Livermore Falls created and painted the sign. Selectman Alphonso Barker cut it out. Caitlin Chaousis stained the wooden backboard. And, Livermore Falls highway foreman Bill Nichols hung it on the backboard assisted by Town Manager Jim Chaousis, Caitlin's father, and Phil Poirier, a representative of the Downtown Betterment Group, along with others.

Community art center plans approved

FARMINGTON — The proposed plan for the Emery Community Arts Center on the University of Maine at Farmington campus was unanimously accepted Monday by five members of the town Planning Board.

"It's been a long process," UMF President Theodora Kalikow told the board of the nine year effort to find a site and design for the $5 million arts center. "We're finally ready after many designs and changes."

National award good news for Farmington

 FARMINGTON — A town full of people ready to work together to preserve its rich history has earned the support of the Preserve America Program, Town Manager Richard Davis said Monday.

Farmington received notification last week of its acceptance as a Preserve America Community, Davis said. The letter came from first lady Michelle Obama. It was an original signature, as the ink went through the paper copy, he said.

Impact of poverty explored through conference

 FARMINGTON — Poverty and its impact on students and communities is the focus of the second annual "Teaching and Working in a Diverse World" conference planned for Thursday at the University of Maine at Farmington.

The half-day conference is geared for educators as well as community members, said Johanna Prince, UMF instructor and conference organizer.

It is free and open to the public, who can attend one or multiple sessions between from 11:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 22 in the North Dining Hall of the Olsen Student Center.

Franklin County arrest log

FARMINGTON — The following arrests were recently logged at Franklin County Detention Center:

Andrew C. Sperry, 22, New Gloucester, theft by receiving stolen property, cultivating marijuana, Oct. 15, $500 cash bail, court appearance Nov. 20, Franklin County Sheriff's Department.

Ryan J. Tardif, 24, Auburn, theft by receiving stolen property, cultivating marijuana, Oct. 15, $500 cash, court appearance Nov. 20, Franklin County Sheriff's Department.

Municipal agenda

Wednesday

Wilton: Rabies clinic, 1 to 4 p.m., Town Office. Rabies shots are $12 each, and other shots are available on request.

Today's meetings

Franklin

Livermore Falls: Selectmen, 6:30 p.m., Town Office

Oxford Hills

Bethel: Selectmen, 7 p.m., Town Office

Buckfield: Planning Board, 6:30 p.m., Municipal Center

Casco: Open Space Commission, 7 p.m., Casco Library

Newry: Selectmen, 4 p.m., Town Office

Oxford: SAD 17 Board of Directors, 7 p.m., Central Office

 

River Valley

Peru: Selectmen, 6 p.m., Town Office

Board to consider arts center application

FARMINGTON — The Planning Board is set Monday to consider approval of the proposed construction of the Emery Community Arts Center on the University of Maine at Farmington campus.

The board will take up the site review application and soil erosion control/storm water management application at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Planning Board meeting room, downstairs at the municipal building.

The design of the project, which underwent some changes after people voiced concerns, has been revamped.

Farmington award a nod to its history

FARMINGTON - The town of Farmington was named a Preserve America Community in the latest round of awards from the federal program started in 2003.

A letter from First Lady Michelle Obama, honorary chair of Preserve America, sent to the municipal office offered congratulations.
"Your community holds a treasured place in the American story, and it is through your vision and dedication that our history will up upheld and our future will be renewed," she wrote.

Men charged in connection to theft, growing pot

EUSTIS — Two men were charged Thursday in connection to a theft of an all-terrain vehicle in Auburn and a marijuana growing operation in Eustis.

Andrew C. Sperry, 22, of New Gloucester and Ryan J. Tardif, 24, of Auburn were each arrested on one count each of theft by receiving stolen property and cultivating marijuana, Franklin County Sheriff Lt. Niles Yeaton said Friday.

The men were released from the county jail in Farmington on $500 cash bail. They are scheduled to appear at Farmington court on Nov. 20.

Town managers pleased with mill sale to local family

JAY — The town managers of Livermore Falls and Jay are happy that a local couple has bought Wausau Paper's Otis Mill.

Mary Howes and Tim DeMillo, who are married, are the managing members of Otis Ventures LLC, which bought the mill Tuesday for an undisclosed price.

The mill shut down its paper-making operations permanently in June due to the high cost of operating it, according to company officials. One paper machine was idled in December 2008, and the last one idled June 1.