at a glance

Hartford: Dam gates to open

Peggy Poskus, secretary of the Bear Pond Improvement Association, said the Bear Pond dam will open Wednesday, Sept. 13, for repairs from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1. The work will include replacing the gate with Teflon-painted steel meant to last 30 years. The cost of the project is approximately $10,000. The Lee and Marjorie Restoration fund begun in 2004 will be used, but contributions are also being accepted.

Hartford: One road, two names

Selectmen addressed the issue of one road having two names, which is a problem for 911 responders. To complicate the matter further, one home on the double-named road is in Hartford and is seasonal, and the others are in Sumner. Hartford selectman and Sumner selectmen will have to decide to rename and renumber for emergency calls.

Judy Hamilton reported to the board that she thinks publishing permits in the Hartford newsletter is a positive educational tool. Board Chairman David Bowen asked Hamilton and Code Enforcement Officer Jack Plumley to work on permit applications together and have the board approve any changes. Plumley feels more information is needed on the permit application.

Buckfield: SAD 39 names staff

Superintendent Rick Colpitts announced the appointment of Mike Jack to the dean of students position at the SAD 39 board meeting. Jack has been in the district for eight years and teaches physical education at Buckfield Junior/Senior High School. The dean’s salary is $38,800, which is within the budgeted amount. The district now seeks a new physical education teacher.

Jennifer Scales was approved for one year as an elementary teacher. D’Ann Savage was approved for Middle School coordinator, and Betsy Dunn was approved for the Destinations Imagination coordinator.

Several special education technicians were hired. Bailey Graffam and Megan McGuire will be working with the elementary, and Rebecca Skibitsky will be at the high school.

In her report to the board, student services leader Dottie Kingston said there were fewer special education students moving into the district though enrollment is up.

The board recognized the Nezinscot Valley Music booster as a sanctioned organization of SAD 39. Staff and parents have championed the arts in the schools, and music teachers Megan Andrews Wright and Ethan Wright were recognized.

Judy Berg and Lana Pratt were elected as local delegates to the Assembly of the Maine School Board Association.

Canton: Village application accepted

Special Projects Coordinator Diane Ray reported that the Planning Board has accepted the application for the Village Center Subdivision and will vote on approving it at the Sept. 21 meeting. The village plans are for 38 residential homes, one multifamily home and two municipal buildings. There will be five open space areas. This relocation project is for victims of the December 2003 flood which inundated 39 homes. Many Community Development Block Grants have been received for the village project.

– Mary Standard