June 1, 1994

“Inappropriate behavior” by one or more boys in Westbrook’s Wescott Junior High School Wednesday led to the discovery that seven boys had been smoking marijuana. An eighth boy from another junior high was charged with possessing marijuana with intent to sell it. Assistant Principal Robert Welch made a room-by-room tour of the building Wednesday afternoon discussing the incident.

Gorham taxpayers are at it again. Upset with a tax rate increase of $1.23, citizen Mark Faulkner, Shaws Mill Road, took out petitions on Thursday to recall the 1994-95 town budget. This is the second year in a row Gorham has faced a recall of its budget. Faulkner has until Saturday to turn in 883 signatures of registered Gorham voters. If he is successful, the issue will go to referendum. The proposed municipal/school budget totals $18,266,120.

Roy. A. Robinson, veteran member of the Board of Regents of Westbrook’s Walker Memorial Library, and John W. Hay, veteran member of the library’s Board of Trustees, will talk about some of the highlights of the library’s history when it marks its 100th anniversary June 5 with an open house. Guest speaker is Earle G. Shettleworth Jr., executive director of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. He helped get the library’s building into the National Register of Historic Places. Members of the Chopin Club will provide music.

The 15th annual Westbrook Together Days kicks off Friday with concerts featuring the Phil Rich Big Band and Al Hawkes and his String Fusion, plus a Rotary Club spaghetti supper. Events begin Saturday with a 2.2-mile road race, followed by the parade at 10 a.m. Highlights include entertainment for children, bands, an auction and a bean supper.

Amy Day Kakitis, daughter of Nick and Sally Kakitis of Gorham, graduated with highest honors from Smith College May 22 with a bachelor of arts degree in studio art. A Gorham High School graduate, she is at home for the summer. She will work as a sculptor and help her mother campaign for state representative.

June 2, 2004

For the first time since the late 1800s, Atlantic salmon are swimming in the Presumpscot River. On May 28, seventh- and eighth-grade students from Wescott Junior High School released about 200 salmon fry into the river as part of an ongoing class project. In previous years, Wescott students had to release the fish into the Saco River in Biddeford because the Presumpscot was not habitable due to pollution and dams. Lynn Richard of the Portland Water District, which sponsored the release along with the Friends of the Presumpscot River, said the removal of a dam at Smelt Hill last year cleared the way for the reintroduction of salmon.

After financial troubles recently forced the Warren Library’s board of trustees to cut back on staff and programs, most of the staff members – including director Anastsia Weigle – have resigned and some patrons are questioning what the future may hold for the library. Trustees insist the programs and services now offered are secure and those questioning the management of library finances and staff don’t understand what’s going on. “We’ll survive quite well,” said Bruce Saunders, president of the Warren Foundation’s board of trustees.

The Westbrook City Council voted May 27 to remove the pay-per-bag trash program from the proposed 2004-05 budget, and also voted to restore $60,000 in funding to social service agencies like Mission Possible Teen Center and the People’s Regional Opportunity Program, which had been cut in Mayor Bruce Chuluda’s budget.

Three new architects from the Greater Portland area are being considered for the Shaw school renovation project in Gorham, though the names of the architects have not been released. Town Manager David Cole said he didn’t know when a decision would be made. The town is proceeding cautiously because the money approved for the work by voters was not enough, according to the previous architect.

The 25th edition of Westbrook Together Days is set for June 4-6, with most events at Riverbank Park. A fun run, chicken barbecue and a street dance kick off the fest Friday night. Saturday starts with a pancake breakfast and then the parade at 10 a.m., and ends with music and fireworks. In between are more music, kids events, a gymnastics show, folk dancers, auction and food. A highlight is the Great Westbrook Duck Race on the Presumpscot River.

Students from Gorham High School recently sang the National Anthem to the Maine House of Representatives at the statehouse. Duets were performed by Samantha Francis and Kristin Slipp on April 14, while sisters Leigh and Sara Esty sang on April 27.

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