April 1980

Westbrook’s City Council voted to send two people to the annual meeting of the National League of Cities in Washington. Instead, five went, using the mayor’s power to spend individual items of up to $1,000 – in this case, $485 each. The five: Mayor William O’Gara, his assistant Harold Parks, and Aldermen Louis P. Blanchette, Donald E. Esty Jr. and Norman Conley. The add-on was noticed by Alderman Beverly Morin.

On motion of Alderman Beverly Morin, who is chairman of the Accounts and Claims Committee, the Westbrook City Council voted to stop sending out city checks before that committee has approved the expense.

Unopposed for nomination for state representative in the June primaries are Democrats G. William Diamond, J. Robert Carrier, Robert S. Howe and Edward J. Kane and Republicans Marion E. Gowen and Nancy N. Masterton.

More than 100 citizens turned out for the public hearing on South Portland’s city-school budget. The City Council followed with an all-day workshop Saturday and a secret meeting Sunday on budget reduction.

Harold C. Pachios, Cape Elizabeth, former state Democratic chairman, is campaigning for nomination to oppose U. S. Representative David Emery, Republican.

Industrial arts students of Shaw Junior High School, Gorham, may build a solar collector to help heat two classrooms.

Windham Junior High School’s Brass Ensemble received top rating in a state festival at Orono. Members are Rick Thompson, Lisa Jensen, David Wall, Julie Greenlaw, Carole Plummer, Donald DeRice, Brent Warren, Dan Burgess, Chris Bolduc, Tom Black and Brian Warren.

Michael Petit, commissioner of the Maine Department of Human Services, has announced a new ban on smoking in public spaces and most (not all) offices.

Lloyd L. Lathrop, South Portland, president of Blue Rock Industries, has been elected a director of Casco Bank & Trust Co.

Linda Anne was born on Easter Sunday to Susan and Richard Fitzpatrick, Westbrook. Her mother is Westbrook city finance director.

Kirby Nickerson has been named defensive player of the year of the Westbrook High School freshman boys’ basketball team.

Smokey’s Greater Shows will make its 13th annual Westbrook appearance April 10-19 for Kiwanis Charities at a Larrabee Road site.

The red Schwinn bike of Keith Poulin, 101 Lyman St., was stolen at Westbrook High School.

April 1990

Mayor Fred Wescott is vetoing a Westbrook City Council order that would accept a gift of land on Mill Brook from the Woodbury Estates developers. If the city accepted the land, the development would escape state review. Wescott said the state should review it.

Westbrook School Superintendent Edward Connolly took exception to an American Journal reader’s letter saying he created new jobs and programs. The school directory listed 347 names in 1984-1985, his first year as superintendent, and 401 this year, up 54.

Scarborough’s Board of Education proposes to cut 25 jobs and $961,217 from Superintendent Shirley Grover’s proposed budget.

The Robert Masterton Foundation for Technology Education has given USM $102,000 for electrical engineering equipment. It also gave $117,500 last year.

Beginning in September, one fifth-grade class in South Portland will move from the Skillin School to the Dyer School, and a kindergarten class will move from the Brown Street School to the Hamlin School.

Maine National Bank is asking South Portland for a lower tax valuation on its Darling Avenue operations center.

The South Portland city administration can buy items up to $500 without City Council review. A revision drafted under City Manager Jerre Bryant would raise this to $1,000. In another change, the city would sell surplus items by garage-sale type sales, or auctions. Advertising and bids now are required.

For Earth Week April 21-28, Standish is waiving landfill fees.

Starting in September1991, Standish’s George E. Jack School will have only fifth- and sixth-grades, and the Steep Falls and Edna Libby Schools will have kindergarten through fourth-grade.

Michael Wehmeyer, 10, of Kathryn Street, Gorham, caught a 4-pound brown trout 21-1/2 inches long. He’s the son of David and Paula Wehmeyer. Michael isn’t saying where he caught it.

The Mougalian and Sayadoff Co. has bought pieces of land on Route 302 in Windham, one for $175,000, the other for $394,000. Sellers were, first the estate of Eunice Stanton, and second, Felicia and Royall Smithey.

Westbrook college will hold its 14th annual April amble on April 29, a Sunday. It’s a four-mile foot race. There’ll also be a one-mile fun run, clinic, luncheon and carnival.

For Arbor Day, a Sargeant cherry tree will be planted at Walker Memorial Library’s new addition in Westbrook.

Because of construction at Westbrook High School, this year’s graduation exercises will be in Portland City Hall.

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