June 1, 1983

The papermakers union voted by secret ballot in Westbrook High School Sunday against a contract offered by management of the S.D. Warren paper mill in Westbrook, 582-31. However, there was further bargaining between union and company, aimed at avoiding a strike. The two-year contract runs out June 1. The union usually has a “no contract, no work” policy, though it had not served such a notice on the company as yet.

David F. Martin has resigned as chairman of the Westbrook Democratic Committee after three years’ service. Martin said he resigned for personal reasons. “I didn’t want this last term,” he said, “but after Wayne Syphers had to resign they asked me to step back in while they found somebody else. They didn’t seem to be finding anybody else, so I did.”

Westbrook police notes: A Seavey Street man said a Main Street woman made a $12 long-distance phone call from a pay station, charged it to his phone, and won’t pay him for it. A young man walked out of Michael’s Deli with a bottle of wine. Glen Waters and Paul Arsenault, of Greeley High’s track team missed the bus home from the Westbrook Kiwanis Relays. Westbrook, Falmouth and County sheriff cruisers relayed them home. A 2-year-old boy showed up at the home of Joann Milton, 63 East Bridge St., at 7:30 p.m. and couldn’t say his name or where he lived. Then his father found him. He said the boy had just walked away.

Developers want to put two or three office buildings in the Col.

Westbrook Executive Park, but despite its name, the park cannot be used for office buildings under its present (“industrial”) zoning. That snag was a surprise to him, Mayor William B. O’Gara told the Westbrook Planning Board this week. It was a surprise also to Code Enforcement Officer Thomas Wakefield, who called the zoning problem “maybe an oversight,” and then got into a sharp exchange of words when he learned that some members of the Westbrook Planning Board may prefer to keep it that way. The board handed the question of offices in industrial zones to Planning Director Mark Eyerman for study.

The Planning Board sent word back to the City Council last week that it doesn’t think Westbrook needs a fence ordinance. “I’m surprised that South Portland has one,” said Alderman Philip Spiller, an observer at the Planning Board meeting. The board members agreed that a ban on tall “spike fences,” already a state law, and a ban on fences that interfere with sight at intersections already in city ordinances are the only controls needed.

June 2, 1993

Gorham’s tight low-income elderly housing market could be eased if a new 48-unit project goes ahead. York-Cumberland Housing Development Corp. of Gorham, a nonprofit organization that builds and manages low- and very low-income housing, has applied to the Farmers Home Administration for a federal loan for the $2.8 million project. Genie Nakell, development officer for York-Cumberland, says she should know after mid-June whether the project would get funding. “This year Maine was only allocated $750,000 by Farmers Home for nonprofits. So we might have to wait another year. But with a need like we have in Gorham, I certainly hope we can get it this year,” Nakell said.

The Gorham Finance Committee is recommending the due dates for taxes be moved ahead one month so save money. The Town Council was expected to discuss the matter at last night’s meeting. Half of real estate and personal property taxes are now due on Nov. 15, and half on June 15. The committee wants the dates moved to Oct. 15 and May 15. Town Manager Paul Weston says the change could save up to $10,000 a year. Finance Director Shirley Hughes explained the town has a bond payment due on Nov. 1. “But under the terms of the agreement the money is supposed to be in Boston five days in advance” she said. “That means I have to have money on hand to do that.” November’s principal and interest payment is $1.4 million. “The fact that taxes aren’t due until the 15th, as a general rule means I don’t have the cash in hand” Hughes said.

A hospital-bound Sacopee Rescue Ambulance speeding to Maine Medical Center with a cardiac patient had its flashing red lights and siren on, according to Westbrook police, when it collided with an inattentive young driver, crossing Wayside Drive on Saco Street. Tina M. Plummer, 16, the driver, and her mother, Susan Plummer, 37, both of 31 Park Hill St., Westbrook, suffered minor injuries, one with whiplash. Tina Plummer apparently neither heard the siren nor saw the light until it was too late.

Area advertisers of the day were offering: 2 for 1 special – buy 1 pound of Dunkin’ Donuts, get 1 pound free. David Rosen’s Full Belly Deli is offering every Thursday his New England boiled dinner – their famous corned beef, cabbage, potato, onions, turnip, carrots, beets, with bread, butter and dessert, for $5.25. Bridgeway Restaurant in South Portland is offering boiled twin lobsters for $12.95.