Community members band together to build ramp
A local man got the idea during a flag ceremony in April.
By Donna M. Perry
Staff Writer

LIVERMORE FALLS – A Jay boy and his dad built a handicapped accessible ramp Saturday to help people get on the gazebo stage. A Livermore Falls man spearheaded the project and a local company donated the materials.

Larry Colford of Livermore Falls said it dawned on him in April during a flag ceremony that people who are disabled or unable to climb stairs could not get on the gazebo platform.

He got permission from the Gazebo Committee to have a ramp built. He then called Greg Roy Builders of East Jay, who agreed to help, Colford said. He also called Ware-Butler Inc. in Livermore Falls to see if he could get a break on the costs for materials, he said. The company’s headquarters donated the materials used Saturday.

Joseph Roy, 11, said his father told him about the project. Joseph is a Boy Scout in Troop 199 and was looking for a way to earn Star rank. He had already completed three hours of community service and needed three more hours to gain the rank.

He was interested in the project “because handicapped people have the rights to do everything that people who aren’t handicapped can do. I know what it’s like to be handicapped because my ‘pepere’ is handicapped,” Joseph said, referring to his grandfather.

The Roys finished up most of the construction of the ramp in the rain Sunday. By Monday, the ramp looked like it had always been there, except it needed some paint.

Maxine Bailey, a member of the Gazebo Committee, said the ramp will be painted.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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