LIVERMORE FALLS — In the two-plus years that the Androscoggin Valley Medical Arts Center has been in existence in Livermore Falls, it has made a distinct impact on the community, said Livermore Falls Downtown Betterment Group President Bob Berry.

“They provide much needed service,” he stated at the Betterment Group’s annual meeting in the Bank Building on April 8. “Their staff is friendly, personable. They’ve made a huge investment in our downtown.”

The Betterment Group presented its 2014 Livermore Falls Community Betterment Award to the Medical Arts Center. Franklin Memorial Hospital and Franklin Community Health Network President Rebecca Arsenault said that the medical arts center offers primary physician and sub-specialty services. They have expanded their service area since opening, and serve not only their patients, but provide some services for neighboring HealthReach patients as well.

“We’ve never looked back,” said Arsenault. “It’s turned out to be a model that I wish I could replicate in Farmington. It is a way that we can have one stop shopping, if you will, for the community.”

Berry announced that the Gazebo Committee won the town’s Spirit of America Award, and will be presented with it along with other Androscoggin County communities in June. The Spirit of America is a state foundation that provides an award celebrating volunteerism, and every Maine town can give it to a person, or a group.

The Gazebo Committee was formed in 1989 to start fundraising for a new gazebo. They raised at least $12,000 toward the cause, and the gazebo is now one of the town landmarks alongside the Androscoggin River behind the Town Office and Bank Building. Weddings, music, and prom photos are among the occasions that have been celebrated there.

Gazebo Committee member Doug Mosher noted that in August, the Kora Temple Shrine Band will perform at the gazebo, and two weeks later, the Kora Temple Highlanders will entertain with their bagpipes.

“I would love to see another town band here,” he said. “There’s something about a 40-piece band playing music we remember. It was a project that was in the back of my mind since I played in the town band when I was in junior high. It forged my love for music.”

Berry and Livermore Falls Town Manager and Betterment Committee Member At Large Kristal Flagg discussed the town’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) proposal that has received state approval. A TIF, said Berry, allows the town to shield incremental increases in taxable value from the government and use that money for economic development projects.

Flagg said that TIF funds could be used to create a business park on Diamond Road by ReEnergy. The biomass plant owns about 50 acres that it could sell to a business that would work with them to use energy produced by the plant. It could also help fund public transportation in town, pay for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant, help to upgrade the trail system, and assist with cultural events.

Also, said Flagg, the TIF money could help pay part of the administrative costs associated with implementing it, instead of asking taxpayers to pay more.

Berry recognized past President Kathleen Szostek with a plaque for her contributions. Szostek is now the group’s Secretary.

Other Betterment Group members are Susan Parker Papillon, Vice President, Wendy Hall, Treasurer, Roger Kay, Merry Carver, Brian McMullen, and Al Godfrey. Members at large, in addition to Flagg, are Alison Hagerstrom, Kenny Jacques, and Gary Knight.

The Betterment Group’s activities have included organizing the Spruce Mountain Sled In and History Night, and supporting other local events. It hosts a Clean Up Day each spring, and has improved the downtown with better lighting, and getting funds for facade improvements at businesses. The Betterment Group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Town Office.

Berry expressed his gratitude to the staff of Kay Advanced Dental Concepts, who provided appetizers and allowed the use of their facility for the meeting.

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