By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

For 20 years, Maine District Court has occupied space at the Bridgton Municipal Complex.

Jeff Henthorn, director of Court Facilities, hopes the arrangement continues well into the future.

With the town and Judicial Branch trying to hammer out a new lease agreement, Henthorn told selectmen Tuesday night that the current court site has served the local community, as well as both Oxford and Cumberland counties “very well” and it is the intention to keep court services in the current location.

Selectmen recently toured the court space to familiarize themselves with the rented space. Tuesday, Henthorn made a presentation to selectmen to summarize Judicial leadership’s position and answer questions.

There are a few details to work out.

For one, a rent increase.

The court occupies 4,062 square feet. It also utilizes 189 square feet of storage area in the lower section of the complex.

Initially, the lease was for five years. It was renewed, but no update has been made over the past 15 years.

The rate has been flat. In May 2011, the agreement called for 12 payments of $4,518.98 or $54,227.76 per year. Town Manager Robert Peabody and Deputy Town Manager Georgiann Fleck met with Henthorn in July 2017 to discuss a new lease, since a new pact had not been negotiated since 2003. At that time, Henthorn verbally agreed to a new five-year lease to begin July 1, 2018, with an incremental increase of 3% ($13.35 to $13.75) to the monthly rent for 2018, 2019 and 2020, then an additional 3% (to $14.16 per square foot) for 2021 and 2022.

Last November, the town had Butts Commercial Brokers review the lease agreement, and determined what “fair market value” would be. In reviewing leases in the area, Butts Commercial found that fair market would be $12 per square foot for the main space, and $6 per square foot for the storage space.

Henthorn identified various repairs sought by the court system, including replacement of screens, tiles damaged by water, replacement of toilets considered too low and create accessible parking for handicap van and signage. The repairs were completed (the toilets were compliant with current code).

Responding to the February 2018 letter, Henthorn told town officials that the proposal had been sent to Judicial leadership for review. Three points of contention were raised — 1. Full repair of roof leaks; 2. Vulnerability within the building; 3. Security concern regarding individuals leaving the court area to use a bathroom and returning through a doorway without being re-screened.

“Once items one and three are resolved, I will ask Judicial leadership for lease approval at the term and rates that we discussed,” Henthorn wrote on May 21, 2018.

The town addressed the vulnerability matter by installing access readers.

Tuesday, Henthorn mentioned a few minor repairs sought including paint and carpet replacement. He also mentioned more timely removal of snow at the back court entrance to improve access for judges. Then, he addressed the bigger project — how to improve overall security by addressing public bathroom access.

Currently, the public uses bathrooms located “on the town” side of the complex. Many re-enter the court space through a hallway door, not through the court’s front door, where there is an x-ray machine.

“Security is a concern,” Henthorn told selectmen.

Henthorn recalled a situation which an individual entered the court area through the side door without screening, and marshals later discovered that the man had a Samurai sword taped to his leg.

“He was seen walking funny, leading marshals to check him out,” Henthorn said.

Selectman Bear Zaidman wondered if the court could install a metal detector at the hallway door area. He also voiced concerns regarding the risks town employees might be under — feeling tighter security should be for the entire facility, not just the court.

Henthorn pointed out that it would be a less expensive proposition to install a bathroom (estimated cost of $25,000 to $30,000) inside the court space than to purchase an x-ray machine and hire more marshals to man it.

The bathroom could be placed by using one of the side conference rooms, used by attorneys to speak with their clients and other professional staff, and move those folks to another spot. Or, a bathroom could be created more toward the front lobby area.

Peabody will forward the names of some contractors that have done work for the town for Henthorn to contact and schedule a walk-through to evaluate possible bathroom locations. Once more information is developed, the two sides will converse more to iron out a new lease.

In other meeting notes:

Out to bid. The town has gone out to bid for the wastewater expansion project encompassing Main and Lower Main Streets. Bids are due next Thursday, Aug. 22.

What’s the vision? Helen Archer and other members of the Community Development Committee have read over the Comprehensive Plan, but wondered what vision selectmen have for Bridgton’s future over the next 10 to 15 years? So, she asked the board Tuesday night.

Selectman Bear Zaidman felt it might be a little premature for the board to put forth a vision until the town receives the results of a University of Southern Maine study, which should be completed by year’s end.

“A vision now might go everything against the study,” he said.

Chairman Lee Eastman asked when a Comprehensive Plan should be updated. Peabody said plans are typically updated every 10 years.

Code Officer matters.

•Selectmen approved a consent agreement by a 4–0 vote with Glenn P. and Anne M. Wiggin regarding a subdivision violation on Evergreen Road, and the CEO’s recommended fine of $2,500.

Code Enforcement Officer Rob Baker explained that when the structure was built in September 2003, it was sited within 217 feet of Beaver Pond, which is a violation of the 250-foot setback set forth in the Beaver Pond Subdivision Plan approved by the Bridgton Planning Board.

Baker said the violation came to the forefront during the recent sale of the property. The broker discovered the problem when a survey was done when the property was under contract.

Last Tuesday, the planning board reduced the setback to 200 feet, which will make the lot conforming. The property’s closing is set for the first week of September.

• Selectmen accepted payments and approved quit claim deeds to Benjamin Guiliani (218 Willis Park Road) and Todd and Belinda Chase (land only, intersection of Sweden Road and Isaac Stevens Road).

In March, Code Enforcement Officer Rob Baker recommended that the town not deed back the Willis Park property to Guiliani until all junk was removed from the lot. In a July 19 memo, Baker said the “property has been cleaned up and no known violations at this time.”

Payment was for $2,365.35.

Baker conducted a drive-by inspection of the Chase property, and found no issues. Payment was for $1,326.35.

Permit approved. Renewal of a special amusement permit, victualer and liquor licenses for Standard Gastropub was approved. During a brief public hearing, a Harrison Road resident questioned how many nights the pub planned to hold outside music.

No Gastropub representatives were present.

The application simply lists “live music” as type of entertainment, and hours planned were 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. With no reported complaints regarding past entertainment there, selectmen approved the renewal.

Personnel moves. Summer intern Emily Duff is off to college, finishing up here this past Monday.

“She did a great job for the town, compiling data for GIS including road conditions, road assets and road acceptance research. She also undertook a trail needs assessment in Pondicherry Park, as well as assisting the Public Works director (Jim Kidder) with several projects,” Town Manager Bob Peabody wrote in his report.

A send-off luncheon was held for Duff.

• Monday was new full-time Wastewater Superintendent David Madsen’s first day. He is currently occupying the Community Development director’s office while the downstairs office area is reconfigured.

Starting Sept. 2, Tyler Breton will begin work as the town’s Recreation Programmer (this is a new position). Breton has worked for the Summer Rec program for the past three years and has been a “valuable asset during baseball and softball tournaments.” He is a Lake Region H.S. graduate and multi-sport athlete. His temporary office will be at the Skating Rink (located behind the Town Hall on North High Street, and was home to the summer program) while work is being done to the Town Hall office.

• On the hiring front, eight people applied for the Bridgton Police Department patrolman’s position. The application deadline was Aug. 1.

• Meanwhile, the Community Development Director/Planner position remains open. The last time selectmen considered a candidate, the top applicant decided late against moving his family here, while the board decided the #2 applicant failed to check all of the boxes in officials’ minds.

When Board Chairman Lee Eastman was asked in July what attributes would make a candidate the right fit for Bridgton, he responded, “We want a qualified candidate who has experience in this job with a skill set that includes grant writing, comprehensive planning and municipal government experience. It would be nice to have a candidate who has a degree in that venue, but not needed if they have several years experience with a good track record of accomplishments. Keeping in mind that with that their personality will also come into play. This position requires a person to be outgoing and willing to meet with every business they can so they have a true picture of Bridgton.  I will say when a person interviews for this position I expect someone who has done some homework about Bridgton so we can see what their vision looks like. I realize that’s a lot, but I think it does check a lot of boxes.”

Peabody noted that the job advertisement was tweaked on Tuesday, giving it a fresher look with the hopes to lure a candidate.

• The town also has an opening in the Parks, Cemeteries, Transfer Station (a full-time seasonal position with some weekends) and a seasonal full-time maintenance position at Salmon Point Campground (with the potential to become campground manager for 2020 and beyond).

Applications are available on the town’s website, www.bridgtonmaine.org

• Selectmen accepted the resignation of Diane Paul as the town’s health officer, effective today, Aug. 15.

“It is with regret that due to my relocation out of the State of Maine, that I will be resigning,” Paul wrote. “I would like to thank you and all the Bridgton town employees and selectpersons for their help with matters that required information and their assistance in resolving local health matters.”

Selectmen will send Paul a letter thanking her for her exceptional work.

• Two appointments were made— Pamela Brucker as Bridgton’s representative on the SAD 61 School Board, and Phyllis Roth as a member of the Community Development Committee.

Write-in candidate Gary Colello looked to fill the remaining term on the school board, but was deemed ineligible by state and SAD 61 policy because his wife is a school employee.

Brucker, who worked in public education for 35 years as a teacher, administrator and college professor, told selectmen she is “passionate” about education and feels it is important for the town to be represented on the SAD 61 board.

“I was impressed with her before reading her resume, now I’m in awe,” Selectwoman Carmen Lone said. Selectmen approved the nomination 4–0. The term runs to June 2020.

Phyllis Roth has always believed that citizens should be involved in their community, which is why she served on the CDC until health reasons forced her to leave. Now, she admittedly feels better and is ready to get back to work.

“I have missed being on the CDC and contributing to Bridgton,” she wrote in her application.

CDC member Bob McHatton said Roth had exceptional attendance and brought valuable input during her previous stint. Selectmen approved the nomination.

Status report. Some bullet points on the wastewater treatment facility and sewer project — work completed on sewer design for upper and lower Main Street, and design submitted to Rural Development for review; continued work on new license for proposed wastewater system; sent Water District engineer survey and boring information on Lower Main Street.

Anticipated work over the next two weeks: determine locations for future pump stations; review forms for all potential sewer connections to determine locations of existing septic tanks and disposal fields

New railing. Belanger Welding installed a new railing at the entrance to the Municipal Complex lower level meeting area Tuesday.

Meeting dates. Selectmen and Planning Board will hold a workshop (to review amendments to the Site Plan Review Ordinance to permit and regulate medical marijuana) this Friday, Aug. 16, from 3 to 5 p.m. Selectmen will be given the opportunity to present questions and concerns to planners. This will be solely a discussion between the two boards — no public comments will be allowed

The next selectmen’s meetings will be Tuesday, Aug. 27 and Sept. 10 at 5 p.m.