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Header photo: Fall Reflections on Sabbathday Lake, Kevyn Fowler
Over recent months, the Land Management Planning Committee (LMPC) has worked to develop an ordinance to regulate large ground-mounted solar arrays. LMPC has shared its current draft and now invites the community to offer comments and concerns or simply learn more about solar projects and policies at a workshop to be held Tuesday, November 26, 2019, at 5:30 pm at the Meetinghouse, 389 Intervale Road.
This workshop was originally scheduled for late October but scuttled for lack of a quorum. Regular followers of LMPC should note the unusual Tuesday scheduling; LMPC typically meets on Wednesdays.
In developing a draft solar policy, LMPC has sought to consider not only the interests of owners and developers, but also abutters and the larger community. Among the questions LMPC has discussed are impacts on views, what projects should be required to provide a decommissioning plan and financial guarantees against abandonment, and how close to property lines a ground-mounted array may be sited.
To learn more about New Gloucester’s draft solar ordinance and next steps, come to the November 26 workshop. You can also send comments and questions to Town Planner Scott Hastings: shastings@newgloucester.com and 207-926-4126 x4.
“In, On, and Around Sabbathday Lake” is the title of the November 21, 2019 program of the New Gloucester Historical Society to be presented by local explorer Tom Driscoll at the New Gloucester Meetinghouse, 389 Intervale Rd. beginning at 7 pm.
Tom Driscoll has been in, on, and around Sabbathday Lake seasonally or year-round since 1955. He has studied the lake and surrounding watershed since childhood — from the underlying bedrock geology, up through the aquifer, surficial glacial geology, soil layers, and forest cover, to the lake’s land use history and current use and development.
Only 16,000 years ago, Driscoll notes, Maine and New England were covered by a huge glacier which extended all the way offshore to the coastal shelf! At that time the ice over “Sabbathday Lake” and all of Maine was about one mile thick. About 12,500 years ago, the glacier receded northwest and the area around Sabbathday Lake was free of ice.
Driscoll’s talk will include the glacial history of the lake as well as a few of the unusual items he has found in the lake and some notable nearby places.
The event is free and open to the public.
Refreshments will be served.
Connie Justice, CEO of Planson International, left, Sen. Ned Claxton and Senate President Troy Jackson enjoy a lighthearted moment while the senators find out more about the practices of this successful business during their “Fighting for Maine Agenda” tour on Oct. 28. Photo by Patti Mikkelsen
Senators visit Planson International
When Planson International, located on Penney Road, was recently named the Best Place to Work in Maine for the small business category, legislators promoting their “Fighting for Maine Agenda” took notice. One of their stated core objectives is gathering input from small business owners throughout the state, so a stop here filled the bill.
CEO Connie Justice and her son Nick Planson, who is the company’s sales director, briefed Sen. Ned Claxton, D-Auburn, and Senate President Troy Jackson on their humanitarian-centered business.
As a specialized global IT solutions provider to international organizations, their focus is on development, sustainability and emergency response. Much of their work is accomplished in conjunction with the United Nations to help refugees in developing countries by providing technology and services for charitable projects worldwide.
NEW GLOUCESTER — Selectmen on Monday accepted the resignation of Town Manager Carrie Castonguay effective December 13.
Castonguay, who was hired nearly three years ago, will remain in the
office until Nov. 27, then take earned vacation time until December 13
to complete her time serving New Gloucester’s 5,600 residents.
By telephone on Thursday, Castonguay said she was leaving for personal reasons. She has no immediate plans for the future.
“Navigating the political climate has been challenging,” she said.
NEW GLOUCESTER – At age 95, having resided in New Gloucester, Maine and Millis, Mass., John Santos, Sr. passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 at Central Maine Medical Center following a cancer diagnosis.
John was born in Needham, Mass. on July 3, 1924. He was the oldest of five children born to John and Mary (Picone) Santos.
John is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mae (Queen) Santos of New Gloucester, formally of Millis, Mass.
Posted onNovember 6, 2019byngx|Comments Off on Comprehensive Plan Update Committee continues draft review
|Anne Maurice| On October 24, Town Planner Scott Hastings began the CPUC monthly meeting welcoming Town Manager Carrie Castonguay, who was in attendance. The committee continues to diligently review draft chapters written by Scott based on the discussions and research completed during the many meetings over the last year and a half. The agenda included the chapters for Public Facilities and Fiscal Capacity Inventory, and the goals and strategies for both topics.
In Representative Arata’s early November newsletter, read about tips for managing storm-damaged trees, new projects celebrating Maine’s upcoming bicentennial, a state website with financial literacy resources for teachers and others, and more.
NursingWise, a tiny, nurse-led non-profit, invites you to a community gathering led by Erin Pendexter Stone, registered nurse and Certified Advance Care Planning Facilitator.
What if a sudden illness or injury left you unable to speak for yourself? Who would you want to speak for you? What would you want them to know about your values and wishes?
Advance Care Planning helps you
think about your health care values and goals
consider health care choices you will have to make in the future
talk about your choices with your primary care provider and your loved ones
develop a written plan for the future (advance directive).
Join us in thought-provoking conversation to help make your wishes known. Learn vocabulary, reflect on your values, choose a healthcare agent, explore goals for treatment, and take the first steps toward completing an advance directive.
Monday, November 11, 2019 6:30 – 7:30pm *FREE* — First Congregational Church of New Gloucester, 19 Gloucester Hill Road (926-3260)
Following the presentation, you may choose to make a follow-up appointment with Erin to further guide you through the process of completing an advance directive, at no cost to you.
