New tax rate shows $1 hike

Town Assessor Bob Konczal has completed the tax commitment process for 2016. The tax rate has been set at $16.80 per $1,000 of valuation. This is an increase of $1 per $1,000 from last year’s rate of $15.80, or an increase of $100 per $100,000 of valuation. For example, a property valued at $250,000 would see an increase of $250 from last year’s tax bill. According to Konczal, the increase can be broken down as follows by taxing authority:

• Cumberland County: 3.7 cents;

• Town of Freeport: 3.2 cents;

• RSU 5: 93 cents.

Local historian opens speaker series

Kerck Kelsey, historian and longtime member of the South Freeport Congregational Church, will open the church’s Wednesday Wisdom series beginning Oct. 7, from 6:30-8 p.m., in the Community Hall. Kelsey will trace various high and low points in this area’s history, together with certain oddities that have drawn his attention.

A $5 donation is welcomed. Coffee will be served along with a harvest dessert. Those interested in attending can contact Beth at 865-4012, or email [email protected].

Turf field effort

hosts tri-town meeting

The Tri-Town Track & Field Project is hosting a gathering in Pownal on Oct. 7 called When We Build it, They Will Run. The event kicks off an effort to engage the community about the upcoming fundraising campaign to build a track and synthetic field facility for Durham, Freeport and Pownal at Freeport High School. The free event, including local refreshments and live music, will be at the William Allen Farm, from 6-8 pm. Attendees can RSVP at www.letsbuildit.eventbrite.com.

Annual Betty ReeZ runs Oct. 12

The eighth annual Betty ReeZ 5K and 1 Mile Cross-Country Trail Run will be held on Monday, Oct. 12, at the Pownal Road Recreational Facility, next to the entrance of the Freeport Transfer Facility. The 1-mile race begins at 9 a.m. and the 5K at 9:30 a.m. This year’s race will offer prize drawings and a Whoopie Pie raffle.

Once again, high school athletes will be reaching out to the Regional School Unit 5 elementary schools to encourage participation in the race and convey the importance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle. The 1-mile race was added two years ago to introduce kids and parents to running.

All proceeds from this race will benefit the Freeport Running Boosters and primarily focus on the continuing improvements and maintenance of the running trails. The original trail was built by the 2008 Freeport High School cross country team, their parents, and several local businesses for the benefit of local running teams, but has been used by the entire community for walking, skiing and recreation.

Pre-registration is $8 for the 1-mile and $12 for the 5K. Sign up is available online at www.runinarace.com or registration forms are available through local sponsors and will also be distributed at RSU 5 schools by visiting FHS runners. Race day registration is available at the Pownal Road Field beginning at 8 a.m. Race day entrance fees are $15 for the 1 mile and $20 for the 5K, with registration closing at 8:45 a.m. T-shirts are available for registrants for an additional $11 until Sept. 30.

The 5K race will award $100 prize to the overall male and female winners with various sized Betty ReeZ WhoopieZ awarded to the top two finishers of the following age groups: 14 and under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and above. The 1-mile event features first- and second-place trophies for boys and girls in the following age groups: 6 and under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14. Runners from both races who finish will also get a Betty ReeZ WhoopieZ.

Bib drawings will be held for additional prizes, as well as a whoopie pie raffle. Tickets are $1 and offer a first-place prize of a dozen Betty ReeZ Whoopie Pies each month for one year, a second-place prize of a dozen Betty ReeZ Whoopie Pies each month for six months, and a third-place prize of a dozen Betty ReeZ Whoopie Pies. Tckets are available now through Oct. 12, by contacting a FHS runner, parent, coach or booster member, or by emailing Betty Zolla at [email protected].

2015 Freeport Walk for Epilepsy

On Sunday, Oct. 4, Freeport’s Walk for Epilepsy will begin at 11 a.m. at Freeport High School, 30 Holbrook St. Registration begins at 10 a.m. The walk will benefit the Epilepsy Foundation New England. Pre-registration (before Oct.1) is $15. Day-of registration is $20. Children under 12 are free. A light lunch is included with registration and a live auction will follow the walk.

For more information, contact Becky Daniel at [email protected] or call 504-4406. To register online visit www.firstgiving.com/efne/2015FreeportWalk.

Bean supper

at the Grange

The next-to-last public baked bean supper of the season will be held at the Harraseeket Grange Hall, 13 Elm St. in Freeport on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 5-6 p.m. The all-you-can-eat menu includes three kinds of home-baked beans, pea, yellow-eye and red kidney, hot dogs, pickles, biscuits, brown bread, potato salad, pasta salad, cole slaw, homemade pies and beverages. The price is $8, $4 for children under 10 and free for, children 3 and under.

Lunch and Learn session at Chamber

The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce will hold a Lunch and Learn event on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St. The featured speaker is Alison Paine, speaking on “Business Insurance Made Easy.” Paine will touch on cyber liability, data breaches and general liability coverage and risk management and will answer questions about insurance coverage in these areas. Paine is an account manager at GHM Insurance and holds a degree in risk management.

Light snacks will be provided. There is no cost to attend but registration is required.

For more information, call 847-5240 or email [email protected].

Fire Prevention Week coming up

Freeport will observe Fire Prevention Week Oct. 4-10. Freeport Fire and Rescue Department will host its annual Fire Prevention Open House on Wednesday, Oct. 7, from 5-7 p.m. There will be additional displays and demonstrations from the Freeport Police Department for children and adults, including safety equipment, a performance from the Maine Pipes and Drum Corps, and demonstrations of police K-9 and medical providers. Public Safety personnel will also be on site. The fire auxiliary will sell grilled burgers and hot dogs.

Road work in progress

Construction is under way on the South Freeport Village roads project, which will take place in two parts this fall and next summer. Currently, the Public Works Department is reconstructing an approximately 300-foot section of Park Street. After this is completed, work will begin on the storm drain system throughout the South Freeport Village. Approximately 20 catch basins will be replaced with new cast concrete units. Road construction and re-paving is currently scheduled for the second half of next summer (August and September). Residents with any questions about the scope of work and timing of the construction project can contact the Public Works Department at 865-4461.

Arctic adventure

topic of lecture

On Friday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m., L.L. Bean Lecture Series will present a virtual journey to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard given by Jordan Cargill, a Bates College geology student. Longhyearbyen, Svalbard, is the world’s northernmost town. Cargill’s time in Longyearbyen allowed him to experience polar night and polar day, a total solar eclipse and displays of the aurora borealis. The free event will take place in the atrium of the camping department of L.L. Bean. Space is limited.

Medication and drug disposal

The Freeport Police Department is participating in the National Drug Take Back Initiative. Residents can bring unused, unwanted or expired medications to the

Freeport Public Safety Building for proper disposal including:

• Controlled, non-controlled and over the counter substances. Medications can be disposed of in their original container, but it is highly recommended that the label be removed or the information blacked out.

• Liquid products such as cough syrup should remain sealed in their original container if possible. Otherwise the item should be placed in a sealed bag.

• Intravenous solutions, injectibles and syringes cannot be accepted.

For more information, call 865-4800.

College studies

Maxwell B. Maurer of Freeport is participating in St. Lawrence University’s Study Abroad Program for the fall 2015 semester. Maurer is a member of the Class of 2018. He attended North Yarmouth Academy. He is participating in the fall off-campus program in India. More than 50 percent of the students at St. Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y., study off campus for a semester or longer.

Also at St. Lawrence University, Emily A. Johnson of Freeport is a member of the class of 2019. She attended Freeport High School.

Free film

Freeport Community Library will hold its free Thursday film event Thursday, Oct. 1, at 1 p.m., with the Academy Award-winning classic, “Casablanca.” This 1941 romantic drama starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman is set during World War II, focusing on an American ex-pat, Rick, who must choose between his love for a woman, Ilsa, and helping her Czech Resistance leader husband, Victor Laslo, escape the Vichy-controlled Moroccan city of Casablanca to continue his fight against the Nazis.

At the conclusion of “Casablanca,” extra features will be shown for audience members who want to stay and hear Lauren Bacall share her recollections of Humphrey Bogart and give a behind-the-scenes tour of the “Casablanca” set.

Magic show coming up Oct. 10

Nationally known magician Norman Ng will be performing at the Freeport Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 4 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the Freeport High School class of 2016. Tickets are $10 in advance, $13 at the door (general admission). Tickets can be purchased at Freeport Hardware, 262 US Route 1 South; from Melanie Sachs at Freeport Community Services, 53 Depot St.; or by contacting Susan Karnes at 837-2925.

Pie contest, games,

music at Apple Fest

All are welcome to join in the fun at the family Apple Fest celebration at Freeport Community Library Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

The apple-centric festivities will feature an apple pie baking contest, apple cider samples made fresh with an apple press, a guest appearance by Johnny Appleseed sharing biographical stories, as well as food, games, music and raffles, all sponsored by Friends of the Freeport Community Library.

Contributions for the apple pie contest are being sought. Pies will be judged by a panel of tasters and cash prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place winners. There are openings for 10 to 12 entries. Interested pie makers should call 607-3188 by Sept. 20.

Upcoming meetings

Project Review Board, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6:30 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

A full listing of upcoming town meetings and agendas is available at www.freeportmaine.com.