Interest drop saves the city money

Last week, the Westbrook City Council’s Finance Committee gave its approval to a refinancing of two existing city bonds, a move that will save some significant money over the terms of the bonds.

City Administrator Jerre Bryant said that the city will be refinancing two bonds, one taken out in 2002 and the other in 2004, and the new, lower interest rate of approximately 2.3 percent will save the city just under $300,000 through the 13-year term of the loans. He said the savings in the upcoming 2012-2013 budget would be about $3,000.

Bryant added that the city would also be financing its 2012 capital improvement program bond of $1,000,000 with an interest rate of approximately 2.7 percent through a 15-year term.

– Mike Higgins

How smart are you?

Morgan Rielly, president of the Westbrook High School class of 2014, said the class is hosting the fundraiser “Are You Smarter Than A 10th Grader?” on Thursday, April 26, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Rielly said it is based on the TV show, “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”

The show will consist of two, 45-minute halves and each half will have three contestants. The first half of the show, the contestants are Westbrook High School teachers Jon Whitehead, Rick Solomon and Neile Nelson.

During the intermission, there will be a few musical performances by high school students, and at that time the MC, Cari Sbardella, will draw three names from the pool of people who put their tickets in a bowl to be called as contestants for the second half of the show.

The contestants will compete against each other, not against the 10th-graders. The panel of 10th-graders will be on stage for the contestants to “cheat” from or to peek at their answers.

“We also have some ideas for ‘Do You Recognize This 10th Grader?’ old photos and giveaways for audience members, who can get it right first, to be done in between contestants,” Reilly said.

Tickets are on sale through the main office at the high school. Students Bethany Swanson, Austin Blake, Nick Minor and Rielly also have them.

Tickets also are available at the door are $7 for adults; $5, students and seniors; and $20, family.

Blais receives college honors

Sarah Blais of Westbrook has accepted membership in the Golden Key International Honour Society during a recent induction ceremony at the University of Southern Maine.

“It is only fitting that a top academic achiever like Sarah be recognized by Golden Key,” William W. Asbury, Golden Key’s chairman of the board of directors, said in a statement. “Our members are inspired and motivated not only to achieve exceptional academic accomplishments, but also to make a positive impact on our world through the society’s commitment to service.”

Police taking back drugs

The Westbrook Police Department is taking part in a national drug take-back effort.

The program, which will be held on Saturday, April 28, at the Public Safety building from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., is designed for residents to bring in unused or expired medication for safe disposal. The police will be accepting any medications with no questions asked, but they cannot take needles, IV solutions or any injectable drugs.

Class of ’82 reunion

The Westbrook High School class of 1982 is planning its 30th reunion on July 28 at Verillos in Portland.

For more information, contact Cynthia Royce by email Cynthia.B.Royce@comcast.net or by calling 802-738-4086.

Donations for yard sale

Harvest Bible Chapel, 3 Delta Drive, is accepting donations for its yard sale 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 5.

Donations can be picked up. For more information or to donate, contact Roland Thibault at 854-5168 or email go_runnings@hotmail.com

World War II veteran Gerard “Ben” Tardif celebrates his 90th birthday April 11 at River’s Edge Deli in Westbrook, where he was presented a birthday cake. Tardif landed on Omaha Beach in France in June 1944 and later served in the Battle of the Bulge.     
Donna Conley shows off a vintage Campfire Girl uniform to remind readers that the Westbrook history contest sponsored by the Westbrook Historical Society is nearing the May 1 deadline for the submission of entries. There are two categories – adult and student (K-12) – with cash prizes for first and second place in each. Essays must be 500 words or less. For more information, contact Conley 854-2464 or info@westbrookhistoricalsociety.org.    

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