Happy Summer! In the municipal world!

Happy Summer! In the municipal world, July 1st marks the first day of our fiscal year. We’re busy closing out last year’s books and preparing for another year with the budget that was approved at the June 11th Town Meeting. Consequently, there is much to report-

 
1. End of Year numbers –

Revenues: I am happy to report that the Town took in $1,010,391 in other revenues this year (non property tax revenues) which amounts to over $61,000 of what we projected. Increases were in recycling income (the prices that we’re receiving for metal and paper surpasses what we projected), plumbing and building permit fees, and interest on investments. Last year we received $425,912 in excise taxes and this year we received $419,334. Because we were concerned last year that the economy may slow down, we projected that excise taxes would come in at $390,000. Therefore, we brought in more than the projected amount!

Expenses: The town expenditures came in approximately $50,000 under budget. We will have more accurate numbers after our annual audit. As in any budget, it is a good thing when revenues are higher than expected and expenses are lower. Special recognition needs to be given to the Town’s Finance Committee and Select Board as well as the Town Departments for coming in under budget.

2. Bowdoinham Home Heating Assistance Program – As the price of oil continues to climb I become more concerned about how some of our residents will be able to keep warm this winter. I am convinced that the Town’s new heating assistance program will be in demand and we need your help. This program is not funded by taxpayer dollars but rather funded through donations, fundraising, etc. A bottle drive began at the Recycling Barn for the program and we have hopes to raise over $1,000 on this alone. It will continue throughout the fall. Also, this year 50% of the Silent Auction proceeds at Celebrate Bowdoinham will be donated to this fund. “Loose Change” jars will be distributed to area stores as well. Our goal for the year is to raise $7,500 by December 1st. If you are able to donate, please contact me at the town office at 666-5531 or email at kleighton@bowdoinham.com.

3. The Public Works crew just finished pressure washing the Waterfront Park Gazebo. It took 20 hours of labor to complete the job – mold was beginning to grow on the timber framed structure and needed to be removed. The next step is to apply a natural oil stain. The gazebo, built five years ago, is a central point for the park and is not only home to our Sunday night summer concert series and Celebrate Bowdoinham but has been used for weddings, family gatherings, and even a reenlistment ceremony. Many thanks to the Thieme family who voluntarily keep the garden weeded and the plants maintained so that there is always a constant bloom to enjoy!

4. The Public Works Department is completing its plans for the road and bridge projects approved at town meeting. A bid package was sent out to paving companies and the project was awarded to Crooker & Sons, Inc. for the paving work on South Pleasant Street and Ridge Road. A letter was sent to all residents along South Pleasant Street informing them of the work schedule. Work will begin on South Pleasant Street followed by upper Ridge Road. The Batchelder Bridge work will be completed by the end of August.

5. Brooke Cox, Recreation Director has been very busy with youth baseball and softball this year. The first ever “Ararat Cup” baseball tournament was held in May in which 12 teams competed for the three day event representing the towns of Topsham, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Harpswell, Richmond and Wiscasset. This was followed a few weeks later by a softball tournament in which 16 teams competed in two divisions. Towns represented were Durham, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Lisbon, Harpswell, Topsham, and Richmond. These two tournaments brought many visitors to town and brought business to the local stores as well as to the Recreation Department’s snack shack. Speaking of snack shack, Pam Ross, the Town Clerk, and I had a fun night working at “the shack” selling french-fries and hotdogs to the hungry fans! It was good to return to my former days when I worked at the snack shack as the recreation director!

6. Because Brooke and her volunteers were so successful hosting the above mentioned tournaments, Bowdoinham has been asked to host the State U9 Cal Ripken baseball tournament in July. This will bring teams from across the state to Bowdoinham for a six day tournament beginning July 12th. It’s an honor to be chosen and is a tribute to the hard work and dedication that Brooke and her team have put into the baseball program and ball fields! Good Luck to the Bowdoinham U9 players!

7. This year we are continuing our commitment to clean the stones in the town cemeteries. Last year, over 100 stones were cleaned at the Village Cemetery across from the Community School and at the Small Cemetery on the White Road. This year we will continue cleaning the stones at the Village Cemetery and as well as at the Harward Cemetery on the Pork Point Road.

8. Farms, Farms, Farms – that sums up much of the work done in June by Tony Cox, Community & Economic Development Director. Tony was instrumental in forming the new Farmer’s Market at the Merrymeeting Grange on Main Street. While the market has only been opened for two Fridays and Saturdays, all indications are that it is a success! Feedback has been positive and watch for new additions as the growing season progresses! Tony also hosted the successful Family Fun Farm Day on June 21st at the Steen property on River Road – the event was well attended and showcased the farm and the work of the Maine Farmland Trust in its preserving of important Maine Farmland. Tony continues his support of Bowdoinham’s farming community by supporting the operation of Locally Known and Atlantic Organics.

9. Purchases – David Berry, Director of the Solid Waste Department is happy to announce that he has found a truck for his department to replace the 1979 truck. The new truck will be bigger and heavier allowing for heavier loads (and fewer trips) of mixed recyclables and paper to the West Bath site saving money on fuel. Kevin Prout, the Public Works Director, has found a used grater that will help to save the Town money on the upcoming road projects as well as on the routine maintenance of the town’s gravel roads.

10. Speaking of saving money, an energy audit was just completed on the Coombs Municipal Building (town office) care of Efficiency Maine. The audit report recommends that the Town upgrade the lighting, add insulation, and expand the heating duct work as ways to reduce the energy costs of the building. I hope to implement many of the recommendations this summer long before the heating season begins.

11. The Concert Series began with a rainout this year but we hope that will be the last of the rain for Sunday evenings. Please check out the concern schedule on the town’s new website – we have a great lineup this year!

12. Website – yes, we have a new website thanks to Todd Woofenden, Bowdoinham resident and Land Use Revision Committee chair. Todd donated multiple hours of his time to designing the site to fit the town’s needs. He was the inspiration, the driver, and the motivator behind the site. Alison Pepin, Deputy Clerk, added many of the documents to the site and provided many hours uploading information onto the site up in time for the July 1 deadline! Manon Whittlesey was responsible for the color choices, banner and logo to give it the “Bowdoinham look” Please let us know if you have any ideas on how to improve the site as it continues to be a work in progress!

With warm regards,

Kathy Durgin-Leighton, Town Manager

 6/27/2008

Welcome to the Town of Bowdoinham’s new website! We hope that you like the changes. This new site would not have been possible without Todd Woofenden, who was the inspiration behind the new site. A few months ago, Todd contacted the town staff with an offer – to do a complete redesign of the website at no cost!

Todd has an expertise in website design and as the Chair of the Land Use Planning Committee he recognized the shortcomings of the old site. Though we appreciated his offer, we were initially concerned about relying on the efforts of a volunteer. In fact, our old website design company warned us and said, “Once a volunteer loses enthusiasm or time for your project you will be faced with another conversion.” 

But, this didn’t discourage us because after our first meeting with Todd, we knew immediately that he was both serious and committed to his offer. These past three months have been a pleasure for us all as we worked on the project with Todd’s guidance. We’re pleased with the result and we are confident that you will be as well. Town office employees are trained to update the site and Todd is available for the tough stuff! Thank you Todd – we are grateful!