BATH

A s Christmas approaches, the spirit of giving is alive and well in Bath.

Workers from Bath Iron Works, the city and others all are coming forward to help Alan and Yvonne Orchard, whose home on Windjammer Way has been condemned by the city as unsafe.

The City Council is expected to reveal a new housing arrangement for the couple at its next meeting, Wednesday, Dec. 19.

Alan Orchard, 81, and his wife live in a home with a hole in the roof. City officials are concerned that the tarp covering it will cave in under snow.

Bath Iron Works employ- ees, meanwhile, have collected money for the Orchards, set them up with new cell phones and will help them move once that time comes.

Lillian Bellmore, a supervisor at BIW, said Tuesday that workers took a collection in an old Cremora jar and brought it to the couple.

“We’re still collecting money and we want to continue to help,” Bellmore said. “We’re trying to find other ways to help.”

The Orchards also received $200 from the city they can use as a security deposit for a new dwelling, Bellmore said.

Jeanelle Merrill-Pyy, who is organizing a nonprofit group called Labor for Neighbors, said the Orchards will get a housing voucher from the Bath Housing Authority on Jan. 1. Merrill-Pyy and others have contacted several housing owners in an attempt to find the Orchards an apartment, she said.

People also are on the watchout for snow, which would prompt the city to set the Orchards up in a motel room, Merrill-Pyy said.

City Manager William Giroux said he cannot divulge details of the city’s plans until Wednesday night’s meeting, which begins at 6.

“The staff met with them last Friday,” Giroux said, “and we’re working to try to find them a place to live. I’m pretty confident that we’re going to have them in a new situation pretty soon, but that doesn’t prevent people from helping them. And we’re watching the weather. We’re prepared to act if there is going to be a major snowfall.”

Merrill-Pyy said the city will abate this year’s taxes for the Orchards.

The ultimate goal, Merrill- Pyy said, is to tear down and rebuild the Orchards’ home. The city would waive dumping and permit fees, she said. Merrill-Pyy said she is in contact with the fire department to inquire about a controlled burn of the house.

David Foster of BIW spoke to the council during its last meeting and told councilors of a “grass-roots” effort among workers at the shipyard to help the couple.

“He’s been in touch with contractors,” Merrill-Pyy said.

Labor for Neighbors would include people convicted of felonies who want to help others, she said.

“They would recycle stuff and repair things for people in need,” said Merrill-Pyy, who is a social scientist. “They could put roofs on people’s homes. My main role is to be an advocate for people who need voices for them.”

lgrard@timesrecord.com

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