Rangeley woman pleads not guilty to arson charge

FARMINGTON — A Rangeley woman pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of arson during her arraignment Monday in Franklin County Superior Court. The charge was made in connection with a fire that was intentionally set on March 7 that heavily damaged a garage/barn and attached house she and her estranged husband owned.

Kelly Bachelder, 46, pleaded not guilty to the felony charge that could carry a penalty of up to 30 years in prison, Justice Michaela Murphy told her.

She was arrested on the charge of arson on March 24, weeks after the fire that state fire investigators determined was intentionally set at 40 Allen St. in Rangeley. The residence is primarily used to hold supplies, equipment and tools for Odie Bachelder's plumbing business in Rangeley.

Bachelder remains free on $1,000 cash bail with conditions including one that she not possess ignitable fluids other than the gas in an automobile.

Her attorney, Lenny Sharon, asked to modify the bail to include storage of a small amount of gasoline used for a lawn mower to mow her large lawn this summer.

Bachelder's case was placed on the court's October docket, according to Murphy.

abryant@sunjournal.com