By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Attorney Richard Bryant admitted the town correctly followed procedure when it took possession of the First and Last Motel due to foreclosure.

The town also reached agreement in Bridgton District Court with former owner Jo-Anne Connolly regarding eviction of present tenants (by May 1), as well as herself (by May 15).

Tuesday night, Bryant made a final plea to town officials to reconsider their decision on “moral” grounds.

He pointed out that the property is assessed at $391,770, while the taxes owed is just $425.32. The Connolly family is agreeable to pay the back taxes, as well as to place the property for sale since Jo-Anne Connolly is no longer capable of managing the motel. Bryant added that proceeds from the property’s sale would represent Connolly’s lone source of income for retirement.

In 34 to 35 years in practicing law, Bryant said he has yet to see a town be unwilling to work with a property owner to repay taxes owed and allow the individual to reclaim a property.

“It’s a matter of asking the town to do the right thing,” Bryant said.

With a final eviction date of May 15 looming, Bryant added “it would be nice to get a decision from the board before then.”

Selectmen entered executive session with Town Manager Robert Peabody, Deputy Town Manager Georgiann Fleck, and the town’s attorney at 5:40 p.m. The group returned to public session at 6:37 p.m.

Board Chairman Lee Eastman simply moved to the next agenda item.

When asked what the town’s next move might be, Peabody responded that the board “took no action” on Bryant’s request.

In other meeting notes:

Chief named. Selectmen unanimously approved Tom Harriman as the new Fire Chief, succeeding Steve Fay, who is set to retire on May 2.

“I’m looking forward to working with him (Tom). He’s already put some good things in place,” said Peabody, noting that Harriman has been serving as interim chief.

Peabody publicly thanked Fay for his contributions as the town’s first full-time fire chief, “setting a path that will serve the town well as we go forward.”

Eastman noted that an anonymous donor had given the town $100 to purchase food items for firefighters.

Getting the word out. A key to the passage of the wastewater expansion project was a major public awareness blitz.

The town hired a public relations firm — Black Fly — to assist officials in educating local residents regarding the need to upgrade and expand the public sewer system.

Selectmen feel a similar approach needs to be taken in regards to the proposed Land Use regulations, as well as other ordinance changes.

Black Fly gave an initial cost projection of $7,000, but Selectman Bear Zaidman feels local officials and committee members know what a successful “pitch” entails and can do it at a lower cost.

For one, the town will look to create postcards that outline some of the major elements of referendum questions. Two, the blitz will include newspaper articles and segments on LRTV explaining each ordinance question. Three, enlarged maps will be produced and placed in multiple locations to clearly show voters what areas make up certain districts under the proposed Land Use Ordinance. Four, all available information can be accessed on the town’s website.

Finally, Zaidman suggested that like the wastewater campaign, public information sessions should be held including stops to local organizations such as the Lions Club and Rotary, as well as holding sessions at popular spots, be it local pubs or movie theater.

Secure or dangerous? Some work was done last week to secure a “false front” to a Main Street building, but selectmen still have concerns regarding safety.

The property in question is 271 Main Street, which is owned by Macdonald Properties. The first floor business space has been vacant for some time.

A letter was sent to the property owner on April 5 regarding town concerns. Workers were on the rooftop recently securing the “false front,” but selectmen want assurances that it poses no public hazard.

“If it falls, it could kill somebody,” Zaidman warned.

“I would think they would want to remove it,” Selectman Carmen Lone added.

Officials decided to request the owner hire a structural engineer (“within a reasonable amount of time) to look at the integrity of the recent work and deem it secure.

Selectmen could declare the structure a “dangerous building,” and fall back on town ordinance in dealing with the matter.

Charging ahead. Bridgton has an electric car charging station near the Bridgton Community Center, but the town has been targeted for a major upgrade.

Chris Nihan of ChargePoint Inc. informed selectmen during the public comment period that Bridgton is one of seven locations in Maine that will be part of a new high-speed, electric car charging station. The other locations are Jackman, Farmington, Skowhegan, West Gardiner and Kennebunk.

Nihan said the move to install Level 2 charges, which will increase access and destination across Maine, is the result of a $21 million settlement with VW to improve air quality.

Efficiency Maine sought proposals to place Level 2 charging stations across the state, and ultimately awarded the bid to ChargePoint.

Initially, the new station (Nihan put the project value at $400,000) was targeted at the Hannaford store site, but with expansion there, Nihan said another site would be needed. Some other property owners have voiced an interest in hosting the site, and a walk of properties will take place in the near future. Nihan asked selectmen if there might be town land that might also be options, such as the Community Center (due to having three-phase power and is situated in the town’s business district)?

Selectman Bear Zaidman pointed out that with the town undergoing a major sewer construction project in the coming months, quick work in deciding a location would be advantageous since officials would like to see as much of the electrical lines as possible be placed underground.

Nihan plans to return to the May 28 board meeting with more information for selectmen to review.

Some major points made include:

• There is no cost to Bridgton for the lifetime of the project;

• ChargePoint will maintain the stations and provide 98% up-time guarantee;

• ChargePoint will pay for all fees associated with installation, and take care of all work with Revision Energy.

• ChargePoint and Efficiency Maine will need to have a signed site license agreement with host within Bridgton for a minimum of 10 years;

• The location needs to be in a cost-effective spot, given the extremely high install costs.

Summer or fall is the target for installation.

Voicing their stance. Selectman Bear Zaidman remains hopeful that some type of tax assistance ordinance to benefit seniors can be had.

Zaidman, along with Town Manager Bob Peabody, Deputy Town Manager Georgiann Fleck and Selectman Carmen Lone, went to Augusta last week to testify in support of proposed legislation to “provide additional flexibility in the municipal property tax assistance programs for seniors.”

An ordinance was proposed in 2018, but legal review found a need for a statutory change. Zaidman contacted State Senator Jim Hamper to propose the necessary change. Now, the matter is in the Legislature’s hands.

Numbers count. Elizabeth Enright, who is spearheading the Census effort here, impressed upon selectmen that it is in Bridgton’s best interest that an accurate tally occurs on April 1, 2020.

A variety of funding sources base awards on Census figures, so Enright hopes the town and community organizations can get word out to residents the importance of taking part in the count.

A major change is moving away from a paper questionnaire to an online response, either using a phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. Privacy and confidentiality will be protected, she noted. If folks lack access to the Internet, the traditional paper option will still be offered.

Enright noted that temporary, part-time job opportunities connected to Census work are available. Residents can apply online.

Rec round table talk. Bridgton Rec will be hosting a round table talk with Western Maine Area Recreation Departments, in conjunction with the Maine Recreation and Parks Association this Friday, April 26, at 1 p.m. at the Bridgton Town Hall. The public is invited.

The “talk” is to help small town recreation departments meet and greet recreation professionals, develop partnerships for adult and children programs, create working relationships with neighboring towns, seek out co-op purchases and other matters.

At the Campground. The long winter and wet spring has made it difficult to prepare Salmon Point Campground for a May 1 opening. Bob Morse returns for his fourth year as facility manager. The town is looking for a seasonal, full-time maintenance worker — with the opportunity to be manager of Salmon Point Campground for 2020 and beyond. Contact the town office at 647-8786 for more information.Meeting schedule: The next board of selectmen meetings will be held on May 14 and May 28 at 5 p.m