Celebrate the holidays by buying local! There are many opportunities for holiday shoppers to purchase local products.

On December 12 & 13 at the Town Hall, the Bowdoinham Guild of Artists will be having its annual sale and the Merrymeeting Arts Center is open Fridays from 1-3 and Saturdays from 10 am – 3 pm throughout the holiday season. As Tony Cox, our Community & Economic Development Director says, “we have the power to make Bowdoinham’s economy grow. Please make an effort to patronize our Bowdoinham businesses and remember to Buy Bowdoinham”

Item 1: Other Holiday activities include a visit from Santa on Sunday, December 7 at the Fire Station from 4-6 pm. On Friday evening, December 12, the third annual Tree Lighting and Caroling will take place at the Town Hall at 5:30 pm followed by the opening of the Guild show at 6 pm. This year, on December 20 from 2-4 pm the Library and Recreation Department are sponsoring Cookie Decorating at the Coombs School municipal building. Bring a dozen cookies and all the decorations will be provided. The American Girl Doll club members will be available to help with the decorating. Please participate in these wonderful family and community activities!

Item 2: November was Recycling Month and students from the Bowdoinham Community School visited the Recycling Barn to learn more about Bowdoinham’s recycling efforts. Many thanks to Cathy Reynolds, Recycling Barn employee who single handedly gave tours of the Barn!

Item 3: We are all aware of the challenging economic times that we’re facing. Unfortunately, the Town is also feeling its effects. Excise tax revenues are down almost $20,000 from this same period last year. Also, recycling revenues have reached an all time low and the cost of road salt has increased by more than 30% over last year. In response to this, the Town is making every effort to adjust its spending. First, the town office 20 hour staff position will not be filled. The Town Hall (not the town office) will be closed from December 22 until mid-March to save on heating oil and meeting room #1 of the town office will be used minimally as it is difficult to heat. Programmable thermostats have also been installed at the town office. Additionally, all Departments have a goal of reducing their energy consumption by 7% from last year’s levels. The Public Works Department will be using less salt on the following low traffic volume roads – Carding Machine Road, Dinsmore Cross Road, Abagadassett Road, Wildes Road, Millay Road, and Preble Road. Roads that will rarely receive salt treatment (unless it is freezing rain) are Lucas Lane, Church Street and Spear Drive. Motorists, please use caution when traveling in wintry weather and particularly on the above mentioned roads.

Item 4: In spite of the economic downturn, we are committed to providing our citizens with the same high level of service. What will not change - As Town Manager, I pledge that when you call the town office during regular hours, you will always have a real person answer the phone. No automated voice system here! We will respond to your questions and concerns to the best of our ability. Excellent customer service is very important to us here at the town office and at all of the town’s departments; you should expect nothing less.

Item 5: Regional Trail Project – Communities members and staff from Gardiner, Richmond, Bowdoinham & Topsham have started working together on the idea of creating a regional trail from Topsham through Bowdoinham and Richmond to Gardiner, which connects: the Androscoggin River Pedestrian Bike Path in Topsham, the Village Area in Bowdoinham, the Village Area in Richmond, and the Kennebec River Rail Trail in Gardiner. The group has drafted a Memorandum of Agreement and will be presenting the agreement to their respective Select Boards and City Councils. If you are interested in joining this effort, please contact Nicole Briand at 666-5531.

Item 6: The 2009 Hunting and Fishing Licenses are in at the town office! There are no fee increases this time around!

Item 7:  Holiday Hours: The town office will be closing at noon on Christmas Eve, December 24th and will remain closed until the following Monday, December 29th. The office will close on New Year’s Day, January 1st.

Item 8:  Dog Owners: please license your dogs by December 31st to avoid a late fee! Late fees of $15 will be assessed beginning February 1st.

Item 9:  Volunteer Needed: The Town is looking for a volunteer to assist with updating the town informational sign located on lower Main Street. If you would like to help keep the residents of Bowdoinham informed, please contact Tony at the town office on Wednesdays and Fridays at 666-5531 or e-mail him at tcox@bowdoinham.com.

In closing, I wish everyone safe and happy holidays!

With Warm Regards,

Kathy Durgin-Leighton
Town Manager