Community Center
plans for fire repairs

WESTBROOK — Westbrook Community Center hopes to replace the temporary electrical system put in place after a Jan. 14 fire with a permanent system during school vacation week, April 15-19, according to City Administrator Jerre Bryant. The center will be shut down that week while the work is done.

Since the fire, the back half of the building, which houses the pool, locker rooms and gymnasium, has been closed to the public. Acting Community Services Director Greg Post said he hopes the gym will be reopened by the week of April 22 and the pool sometime before May.

Providing all the electrical system parts arrive on time, Bryant said school vacation week makes  most sense for the installation because it would not disrupt before- or after-school care.

The work will likely displace some tenants temporarily,Post said. The Westbrook Food Pantry will not be open for patrons Tuesday, April 16. Meals on Wheels won’t deliver that week, but will be doubling up on their offerings the prior week. The general assistance office will operate from City Hall April 16-19. School Vacation Camp will be relocated to Congin School next door, Woodfords Family Services programming will shift to Community of Grace Church (formerly the First Evangelical Free Church) on Bridgton Road, and the Train Your Inner Athlete and Silver Cardio programs will move to Presumpscot Commons on Main Street.

Lancia plans to select
new principal next month

WESTBROOK — Initial screening of applicants for the principal’s position at Westbrook High School will take place in early April, according to Superintendent Peter Lancia.

A screening committee made up of teachers, administrators, students, parents, School Committee members and other members of the community will whittle down the pool of applicants to semi-finalists, who will be asked for a presentation on education leadership and a site visit. Lancia said how many semi-finalists depends on the size of the applicant pool.

Lancia will choose a finalist by the last week of April, and the School Committee will weigh in on his choice at its May 8 meeting, he said.

With Kelli Deveaux’s departure last week for a job with the state education department, assistant principals Jennifer Brooks and Wendy Harvey and interim assistant principal Jeff Guerette have taken over leadership roles.

New pizza restaurant
to open in Gorham

GORHAM — Kristo Papailia is converting 474 Main St. into an Angelo’s Pizzeria. No opening date has been set.

The building, which previously housed the Tots to Teens store, was built in 1940 as sheet metal shop. Papailia bought the building in October for $315,000, according to town tax records.

Papailia has 30 years experience as a restaurateur. He sold previous restaurants but retained the name Angelo’s Pizzeria. He opened his first restaurant in 1993 in Lisbon and another in Lewiston in 2012.

His Gorham restaurant will have seating for 45 but he anticipates that 85 percent of his business will be takeout.

Thayer wins MPA’s
Principal’s Award

WESTBROOK — Alexandria Thayer, a senior at Westbrook High School, has been selected to receive the 2019 Principal’s Award.

The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association, is given in recognition of a high school senior’s academic achievement and citizenship.

“Alexandria is an outstanding student, athlete, artist and person. She is widely respected by the faculty and her peers for her leadership, commitment and character,” said former Westbrook High School Principal Kelli Deveaux. “Alexandria is a well-rounded woman who mentors younger students through Big Brother/Big Sister and Teen Trendsetters, and is in the Top 10 percent of her class. She is a member of the tennis team and a black belt in karate, is a member of  the class council for Class of 2019, National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society. Alexandria currently works at Mr. Bagel, and plans to study nursing at one of the six schools to which she has applied and been accepted.”

Thayer and other award winners will attend an Honors Luncheon in Brewer on April 6. Five of the winners each will receive a $1,000 Horace O. McGowan or Richard W. Tyler scholarship. Another five will be selected at random to each receive a $1,000 MPA scholarship as well.

Sportsmen’s groups host
forum with IFW chief

GORHAM — Naples-based Sebago Lake Anglers’ Association, Windham-Gorham Rod and Gun Club and Standish Fish and Game Club will jointly host Commissioner Judy Camuso of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for a Sportsmen’s Forum Wednesday, March 27. Sportsmen and women will have the opportunity to express concerns and ask  questions about rules and regulations.

The event, at the Rod and Gun clubhouse, 8 Tow Path Road in Gorham, off Gray Road/Route 202, will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a spaghetti dinner. Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, dessert and beverages will be served for a $5 donation. For more information, call Bob Chapin, 571-217-1700 or  655-1028.

Camuso

Kristo Papailia plans to open Angelo’s Pizzaria at the site of the former Tots to Teens store on Main Street in Gorham.