Barbara Chow named Dixfield’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year

DIXFIELD — Barbara Chow was named Dixfield’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year on Monday.

The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the nomination, submitted by Susan Holmes.

Holmes said Chow has served on local school boards for numerous years, and participated in many of the committees that support the board. Board SAD 21, RSU 10 and RSU 56. 

“Her goal has always been to provide our children with the best education possible. Her input and knowledge is invaluable,” Holmes said in her letter.

Holmes also noted the years Chow has devoted to the Dirigo High School Booster Club, serving as president and treasurer, while running and organizing all of the fundraisers that enabled the purchase of equipment and uniforms for the sports teams.

“Few people know that since the year 2000, the Dirigo Boosters has raised and paid out over $100,000 for our athletic teams,” she said.

Board Chairwoman Norine Clarke said Chow will be awarded a plaque and a certificate prior to the annual town meeting, which takes place at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 1 in the Dirigo High School Community Room.

In other business, Town Manager Carlo Puiia said that in response to concerns about the impact of the proposed RSU 56 budget, he presented what he termed his “best guess estimate” of what the impact will be on taxpayers.

He said Dixfield will be paying 45.39 percent of the local share, or $2.34 million, which includes adult education. That is based on 50 percent valuation and 50 percent student population.

The amount represents an increase of $558,000 from last year, when the town was part of RSU 10 in Rumford. Last year, Dixfield paid a local share of $1.78 million.

Puiia said that for a $100,000 home, the tax increase, on the school side, would be $346.

Selectmen voted to spend up to $15,600 to have a company perform a diagnostic test on the town’s well. 

Water District Supt. Jim White said the issue is the district has not been able to pump water from the well at full capacity. He said the test will take four to five days and cost $600. If the pump needs to be replaced, it will cost $3,000. If the pump is OK, the well will need to cleaned and redeveloped, which will cost $15,000.

Puiia announced the schedule for Swasey-Torrey American Legion Post 100 for Memorial Day on May 29. The procession will start from the American Legion hall parking lot, head to the Riverside Cemetery by the state garage, to the Greenwood Cemetery on Weld Street and stop on the Mexico-Peru Bridge for a wreath ceremony.

From there, they will go to the Demerit Cemetery before returning to the hall for coffee, chocolate milk and doughnuts.

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