FINAL REMINDER : Town Treasurer Reminds Taxpayers that Liens are Due to be Recorded at Alfred Registry of Deeds on Tuesday.

FINAL REMINDER

 

The Town of Lebanon Treasurer Jeanette Lemay

reminds residents who have received 30 day notices on Tax Lien preparations by the town,

that Monday, August 10, 2015 at 5 pm is the FINAL DEADLINE to pay past due amounts.

Payments must be made by CASH OR MONEY ORDER ONLY.

Tax Liens will be filed with the Alfred Registry of Deeds on Tuesday morning 8/11/15

Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting Video of 8/6/15.

 

LEBANON MAINE SELECTMEN'S MEETING THURSDAY, 8/6/15

 

The Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen opened their meeting on August 6, 2015 minus Selectman Royce Heath, who is still away at Assessing School. Select Board Chairman Ben Thompson also attended for further education on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Board says that the green light has been given for the Town's 4x4 Proving Grounds "Hog Wild" Country themed Festival to take place on August 15, 2015. Although Select Board Chairman Ben Thompson was at first unsure of whether or not the final few requirements had been made, Lebanon Code Enforcement Officer Mike Beaulieu told Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers that the final item, the proof of insurance, had been submitted earlier in the day and that the 4X4 Proving Grounds were all set to proceed.

Further, Thompson told us that the Board had heard nothing from the hosts of the Medical Marijuana Festival scheduled to take place on Center Road on the weekend of August 21-23. After questions regarding who would be responsible for shutting this venue down should it be determined that there were more than 500 people there for a longer period than 5 hours, Thompson said that would all depend on the type of reason that shutting the Festival down were in question if there were any problems at the event.

Sandy Adams adds a check from daughter Susan Adams and partner Lynn Park to the fund for the replacement of the Blaisdell Corner EMS Station Flagpole.

 

SEE PART 1 of the

Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting of 8/6/15 HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y29iyFwQ8X4

 

In Part 2 of the Lebanon Board of Selectmen's meeting video, you will see the Board discussing what determines legal residency for property owners in town with regards to receiving the Homestead Exemption for their property.

Lebanon Maine Truth Seeker Sandy Adams presented the Board with her carefully prepared minutes from the meeting of Monday, August 3, 2015. The two attending Board Members read the minutes, and both approved them as official Board minutes and sent them to Selectmen's Assistant, Sue Collins for publication.

Questions as to whether or not the minutes for the entire months of June and July, 2015 had been presented for publication found the minutes are still not available. Selectmen's Assistant Collins stated that the "draft" copy of the minutes were available at the Town Office for review should anyone want to come and look at them, however after a few statements, it was said that the draft copies are not even at the Town Office, but in the possession of Selectman Heath. Ms. Adams reminds the Board that she has offered to sit with Selectman Heath and work on the missing Board minutes, but the Board makes no further comments.

Selectmen's Assistant Collins speaks regarding the need for the Board to look over an incoming application for use of the Virge Atkins Fund. Applicants for monies from this fund, created to help older citizens of the Town afford such important items as hearing aids, denture, and glasses, are nominated by the Home Health Visiting Nurse Association, and then approved by the Board of Selectmen. It is decided that the Board will hear Ms. Collins on Monday in an Executive Session when Selectman Heath returns.

 

Part 2 of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting

of 8/6/15 can be seen HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uthlU_pWGtU

 

The third part of the August 6, 2015 Board of Selectmen's Meeting focuses on Town Treasurer Jeanette Lemay as she advises the Board that the Town's Tax Liens are ready and will be recorded in the Alfred Maine Registry of Deeds on Tuesday, August 11, 2015. Ms. Lemay asks that residents be given a final notice that they may still come in and pay their liens prior to them being filed in Alfred, if they come in before Monday, August 10, 2015 at 5 pm. According to Lemay, the Town Office is accepting payment for upcoming liens in CASH or MONEY ORDER ONLY, as it is so close to the recording date that there is no longer time for checks to cash prior to the lien being recorded.

 

WATCH Part 3 of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting Video from 8/6/15 HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNpRprAKon0

 

Since Selectman Heath is still out of town at Assessor's School, the agenda for the evening's meeting was short. Selectman Nadeau made the motion to adjourn shortly after Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers asks questions regarding the Town of Lebanon Maine Website. The website, originally said to have a "go live" date of July 1st, is now projected to be open and ready for the change-over on September 25, 2015. Select Board Chairman Thompson says that the website is ready for Board viewing, and for their approval and changes, and that to date, all of the old information has been extracted from the old website and is no uploaded onto the new website.

Mention is also made regarding the painting of the lines in the Town Office parking lot. Selectman Thompson says he has not moved much on that yet as he has been busy in the days since the last meeting, but is expecting to speak more on this issue on Monday, August 10th, 2015.

Meeting was adjourned at 5 pm.

 

The 4th and Final Part of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting of 8/6/15 can be viewed HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Lebanon+Maine+Selectmen%27s+Meeting+8%2F6%2F15+part+4

 

Lebanon's Firefighters Flex Their Mutual Aid Muscle in Response to North Berwick Woodland Fire.

Lebanon Fire Crew provides Mutual Aid in North Berwick Fire

 

August 6, 2015 -- Lebanon Firefighters answered the call for Mutual Aid today in North Berwick when a fire broke out in a heavily wooded area.

According to Lebanon Fire and EMS Chief Daniel Meehan, Lebanon's Firefighters were at the ready when the call came in for Mutual Aid at 3:15 pm on Thursday evening, responding with one crew directly to the fire, while Central Dispatch diverted the Department's Engine 1 to cover at the North Berwick Fire Station.

Chief Meehan, along with Lebanon Firefighters Windy Rudnicki, Tyler Thurber, TJ Gagnon and Andrew Barker arrived at the scene, under the command of North Berwick Deputy Fire Chief Larry Straffin.

Lebanon Engine 1, carrying Firefighters Jon Kinney and Scott McInnis headed in for coverage of the North Berwick Station, however the fire had become more widespread and North Berwick's Deputy Chief Straffin called for Engine 1 to come direct to the scene for additional water and hose line.

Arriving at the scene with Engine 1, discussion began about employing a larger hose, and Lebanon Engine 1 crew was right there, laying out over 800 feet of the larger 2 1/2 inch hose as an additional water way.

Chief Meehan and several of the Lebanon Firefighters have been asked to join with North Berwick tomorrow morning at 9 am to walk over the burn area to look for hot spots, and retrieve their hose.

The Chief put out an alert asking for Firefighters to go and walk the area with him in the morning, and his request was answered by several responders.

 

 

 

 

Attorney General Janet Mills Issues Statement Regarding Opinion of the Justices on Governor's Veto Actions

Maine Attorney General Janet Mills (from Google Images)

 

(AUGUSTA) The Maine Supreme Judicial Court today answered questions posed by the Governor regarding adjournments of the Legislature and his veto powers. Attorney General Janet T. Mills has issued the following comment regarding the Court's Opinion (OJ-15-2). http://www.courts.maine.gov/opinions_orders/supreme/lawcourt/2015/15me107oj.pdf

*"The Office of the Attorney General is pleased with the full and complete responses to the Governor's questions elucidated in the unanimous 47 page opinion today. The Opinion of the Justices is on all fours with all the research conducted by our Office and with the Opinion of the Attorney General of July 10, 2015. We are also pleased that the Court ruled expeditiously so as to avoid any further unnecessary debate and confusion. The answers to the Governor's questions are clear, unambiguous and completely consistent with his own past practice and with that of every other Governor in recent memory. Except when the Legislature has adjourned sine die, the Chief Executive has ten days (excluding Sundays) within which to return any bills with his objections. By his failure to do so, he has forfeited the right to veto any of the bills at issue."*

Attorney General Mills expressed her thanks to Deputy Attorney General Susan Herman and Assistant Attorney General Phyllis Gardiner for their efforts in this matter.

Maine Officials Prepare For Possible Avian Flu Outbreak

 

HPAI does not affect human health, but has decimated domestic poultry in other states leading to shortages and price increases  

AUGUSTA – Officials in the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) are preparing for a possible avian flu outbreak and taking steps to alert the public on how to help prevent or minimize its impact on domestic poultry. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus is of low risk to people, and there have been no reported human infections resulting from the current outbreak of HPAI in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, it has decimated commercial chicken and turkey flocks in other states, causing supply disruptions and higher prices for consumers.

“This disease has not been detected in Maine or anywhere on the eastern migratory bird flyway yet, but Maine is being proactive about taking precautions to control its spread,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “State veterinary staff have alerted veterinarians and poultry growers across Maine, asking them to keep a close eye on their flocks during the fall migration of wild waterfowl, the next significant threat of introduction of HPAI in Maine and the East.”

“Veterinarians, commercial producers and backyard poultry owners can help us in our efforts by reporting unhealthy birds,” said Commissioner Walt Whitcomb. All poultry owners should report unusual sudden bird deaths in a flock – especially three or more within a week - or birds that exhibit signs of unexplained sickness. It is important to note that the HPAI virus is of low risk to people, and there have been no reported human infections resulting from the current outbreak of HPAI in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

What Maine is doing to prevent and/or prepare for HPAI:

Dr. Michele Walsh, State Veterinarian, is leading the State response along with University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service veterinarians in closely monitoring the avian influenza viruses that have been detected in poultry flocks in Midwest and Western states to date, and offering disease prevention tips to poultry producers, including backyard chicken farmers.

The program is a joint effort between the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and University of Maine Extension program with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to monitor for infectious diseases in Maine poultry, including avian influenza viruses. These surveillance efforts also include outreach to Maine’s veterinarians and poultry industry to encourage a quick and sound response to outbreaks that pose a threat to the industry or public health. In addition to routinely testing many commercial and backyard birds every year, the program randomly tests birds at events such as county fairs, bird shows and swaps.

Maine has been conducting avian influenza surveillance in these bird populations for at least a decade, and all birds have tested negative for the disease. In fact, other states on the Atlantic coast have also increased numbers of poultry tested for avian flu – all of those tests have had negative results as well, despite some rumors to the contrary. The discovery of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Pacific Northwest in December 2014 and the subsequent spread of the disease to many commercial turkey and layer hen facilities in the Midwest has all animal health officials in North America on high alert, however, and in preparation mode for response for possible infection during the wild bird migration this fall.

More than 49 million chickens and turkeys have been euthanized in the U.S. to control the spread of avian flu. Avian influenza viruses are carried globally in wild migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. They can be transmitted to domestic birds and then between domestic flocks, carried on shared equipment or clothing worn by people moving from one flock to another, for instance.

Tips on Keeping Poultry Safe from Avian Flu:

The message from Maine’s animal health officials to all poultry owners in the state emphasizes prevention, with a focus on biosecurity measures that can be implemented for every flock. These “Biosecurity Basics” are available on the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services website:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/birdbiosecurity/biosecurity/basicspoultry.htm

They include:

• Keep your distance - Isolate your birds from visitors and other birds
• Keep it clean - Prevent germs from spreading by cleaning shoes, tools and equipment
• Don't haul disease home - Also clean vehicles and cages used for poultry transport
• Don't borrow disease from your neighbor  Avoid sharing tools and equipment with neighbors
•  Know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases - Watch for early signs to prevent the spread of disease
• Report sick birds - Report unusual signs of disease or unexpected deaths. 

Whether people are commercial producers or backyard poultry owner or something in between, it is important to remember to prevent contact between your birds and wild birds, particularly wild waterfowl.

People can help get the word out by reporting unusual sudden bird deaths or birds that exhibit signs of sickness. Those who have sick birds or birds that have died from unknown causes can contact the Maine State Veterinarian at (207) 287-7615 or the USDA at (866) 536-7593. Dead birds may be submitted to the UMAHL at the University of Maine’s Orono campus for free HPAI testing; the lab can be reached at 207-581-2788; call the lab for important details prior to submittal. 

Blaine House Executive Chef to Represent Maine at Great American Seafood Cook-off

 

Chef Chris Hart (Courtesy Photo)


AUGUSTA – Blaine House Executive Chef Chris Hart will represent Maine in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off on Saturday, August 8 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
The competition, hosted by Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, will be streamed live at GreatAmericanSeafoodCookOff.com. Chef Hart is one of 12 chefs from around the country competing for the highly coveted title of America’s Best Seafood Chef.
“I’m extremely honored to be able to represent Maine and am looking forward to the competition,” Hart said. “It’s a great opportunity to really showcase Maine lobster, which has become a culinary icon that symbolizes the very essence of Maine – cold, pristine waters, a rugged coast, premium products, independent, hard-working fishermen and a legacy of sustainable harvesting practices that reaches back more than 400 years.”
Chef Hart came to the Blaine House from the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport, where he was the banquet chef for two years before his promotion to executive chef and food and beverage manager. In September 2011, he was recruited by Maine’s First Family to be executive chef at the Blaine House.
“In addition to being an excellent chef, Chris is a terrific guy,” said Governor Paul R. LePage. “Whether he is making a sandwich or preparing a formal dinner for dozens, his culinary talent really comes through. I had the privilege of tasting the dish he will prepare at the Seafood Cook-off, and I’m sure it will be a winner. In fact, I was hoping for a final tasting before he takes off for New Orleans.”
Judges for this year’s contest include Brooke Bell, editor of “Taste of the South” and editorial director of “Louisiana Cookin’”; Steve Green, founder and CEO of #Foodiechats; Anne E. McBride, culinary program and editorial director for strategic initiatives at The Culinary Institute of America; Barton Seaver, director of the Healthy and Sustainable Food program at the Center for Health and the Global Environment at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Chef Rick Tramonto, executive chef and founding partner of Tru in Chicago; and Chef Wesley True, returning to the Cook-Off after winning second place in 2010.
Each chef will have one hour to create and plate his dish. America’s Best Seafood Chef 2015 will be announced at 4:50 p.m.
The Cook-Off is dedicated to promoting sustainable and domestic fisheries and is produced in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Whole Foods Market, Southwest Cargo, Taste of the South and Tabasco.

Getting Ready for the LEBANON FESTIVAL........Vendor Announces Raffle to Benefit the Torno Family of Lebanon.

STARTING THE COUNTDOWN FOR

THE LEBANON FESTIVAL

AUGUST 22, 2015

9 am - 3 pm

 

We'd like to introduce you to BREE MESSIER

 

BREE will be representing THE PAMPERED CHEF

 

 

 

A long time friend of Angela Torno and Family, Bree will be holding two raffles during Festival hours. ALL proceeds of BOTH raffles will be donated to THE TORNO FAMILY of LEBANON.

 

Tickets can be used for either, or both raffles

$3 per ticket, 3 for $5 or an Arms length for $20

 

The first raffle will be for a $20 Pampered Chef Gift Certificate.

 

The second raffle will be for a Pampered Chef Cookbook called "Season's Best".

 

BE SURE to stop by and see BREE at

THE PAMPERED CHEF booth

at the LEBANON FESTIVAL

Berwick Police and Gorham Sand & Gravel note: HUBBARD ROAD will be CLOSED for 23 DAYS........

Berwick Fire Department

 

 

PUBLIC NOTICE

ROAD CLOSURE

As part of our contract with the Maine Department of Transportation, Gorham Sand & Gravel
Inc. shall be closing Hubbard Road in Berwick for road construction, paving and slope
stabilization.

Hubbard Road will be closed for 23 days,

starting August 11th and reopening on September 2nd.

A detour route will be set on RT 202/11, RT 4A, RT 4 and RT 9.
Gorham Sand & Gravel Inc. would like to thank you for your patience and cooperation while the
detour is in place.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this notice please feel free to contact our office
at (207) 839-2442, and ask for the Project Manager, Terri Strouse.

Rochester Main Street Presents: Singer Songwriter Pat O'Brien at the Factory Court Brown Bag Concert Series

Rochester Main Street Presents:

Pat O’Brien, Singer & Songwriter

 

 

Factory Court Brown Bag Concert

August 10, 2015 from 11:45 am to 1:30 pm

Rochester Main Street volunteers are pleased to announce that local musician, singer and songwriter Pat O’Brien will be the featured performer at a special Monday, August 10 Factory Court Brown Bag Concert in celebration of Rochester Arts & Culture Week. Sponsored by Citizens Bank and a grant from the NH State Council On The Arts, the Factory Court Brown Bag concerts are held from 11:45 am until 1:...30 pm. Concert goers are asked to “bring a chair and buy or bring a lunch” to enjoy a musical performance in the heart of downtown Rochester.

Pat O’Brien grew up playing and singing traditional Irish music, and was also strongly influenced by the American Folk Music movement in the 60’s. Her original music is a blend of both. As a singer/songwriter, she was a founding member of the women’s folk group “Labrys” releasing two CD’s of original music and performing with them until 2004. She performed and released two additional CD’s with the Irish band An Banna Ceoil. Pat began traveling through Ireland several years ago, blending her heritage with her new experiences into a solo CD. Of late, she has performed with Bradigan, and continues solo performances of songs and stories. Recent performances include the Seacoast Irish Festival, the Irish Gala at the Rochester Opera House, the Effingham Summer Concert Series, Willowbrook Village in Newfield Maine, and solo events of songs and stories at the Goodwin Library in Farmington. Pat is also a former Rochester Poet Laureate and hosts the monthly Writer’s Nights at Mel Flanagan’s Irish Pub & Café.

The Factory Court Brown Bag Concerts are held weekly through August 28. In case of inclement weather the concerts will be cancelled. Free parking nearby is available at the North Main , Union and Congress street Parking lots. For more information please contact the Rochester Main Street office by calling 603-330-3208 or email director@rochestermainstreet.org.

Martha Sawyer Library Invites You to Come Let Your True Colors Show!!

How long has it been

since you sat and experienced the joys of coloring??

Yeah, you know, COLORING.......

Not pictures of Barney or Cinderella, but ADULT COLORING

Let your ARTISTIC side GROW by attending the Adult Coloring Class.

Every Thursday Evening from 6:00 pm - 7:45 pm

At the Martha Sawyer Community Library.

(at the rear of the Hanson School)

LEBANON

NO PRE REGISTRATION ---- NO CHARGE TO ATTEND

Come on Along and Color

Native American Pow Wow Scheduled This Weekend at Maine's Wildlife Park in Gray.

 

 

 

11^th Annual ATTEAN FAMILY POW WOW

@ MAINE WILDLIFE PARK IN GRAY

 

The Maine Wildlife Park, on Route 26 in Gray, has scheduled their very popular annual Pow Wow for Saturday and Sunday Aug. 8^th & 9^th, 2015.
 
There will be several great features at this year’s event. Host Drum will be the Split Feather Singers, a group of natives from all over New England and the Flute Player will be the well-known Joseph Firecrow, a Cheyenne flutist nominated for a Grammy Award and recipient of several ‘Nammy’ Awards.
 
Other entertainment will include Wolf Cry Singers, a group of Native women singing traditional songs, Black Hawk Singers, and Grandmothers Tears Singers. Then and Now Native Foods is a popular food option!
 
Maine 17^th and 18^th century woodland living historian, interpreter and blacksmith   Ken Hamilton will be back for the first time in a couple years. This very popular exhibit featuring a traditional Wiki travel shelter with numerous Native American and Colonial artifacts, will be available for viewing each day.
 
Grand Entry will occur at 12noon each day, with the wildlife park’s resident live Bald Eagle participating. Grand Entry is the ceremonial start to the Pow Wow each day, and includes the presentation of the Park’s Bald Eagle, unique because it’s one of only a few Pow Wows nationwide including participation of a live bald eagle.
The Penobscot tribe, together with the Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, and Abenaki Indians, were once members of the old Wabanaki Confederacy. The Abenaki" and "Wabanaki" have the same Algonquian root, meaning "people from the east." There are approximately 3000 Penobscot Indians now, most of whom live in Maine.
The Attean family, of the Penobscot Indians, have lived both on and off of Indian Island, as well as in and around Old Town, Maine. Theirs is a well-respected family of renowned craftspeople, who create hand-made beautiful and intricate baskets for both display and work; birch-bark canoes; walking sticks; beaded jewelry and many other crafts. Their expert craftsmanship can be found at the annual Native American Festival and Basketmakers Market; and the Common Ground Country Fair.
Native food and craft vendors will again be at the Wildlife Park Pow Wow this year, and the Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park Barbeque will provide plenty of great eats for all on each day! Native American crafts, singing, dancing, educational & cultural information and children’s games will be ongoing throughout each day.
 

 

2015 POW WOW SATURDAY/SUNDAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

 

9:30 am – 4:30 pm: Vendors, Entertainment, Children’s Games, Cultural Information

 

12:00 pm – Grand Entry

 

2:00 –5:30 – Individual performances, music, dancing, drumming, and wildlife appearances

 
 
Make your plans now to join tribal representatives from Maine, New England and around the country, rain or shine, for the 11th annual wildlife park Pow Wow.

 

 
 
General Information
 
The Maine Wildlife Park is owned and operated by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The park exists to promote an understanding and awareness of the wildlife, conservation and habitat protection programs and projects of MDIFW.
 
        The Maine Wildlife Park has over 30 species of native wildlife on display, plus wildlife gardens, nature trails, a fish hatchery and other interactive exhibits and displays. The park is open daily from April 17th through November 11th from 9:30am-4:30pm; visitors must leave the premises by 6:00pm.
Admission to the park is free for ages 3 and under; $5.50 ages 4-12; $7.50 for adults, and $5.50 for seniors. Groups of 15 or more are $3.50 per person. Bring a picnic and spend the day! Family and Community Season Passes are available, and are an incredible bargain for families and groups that visit the park several times over the course of the summer.
Remember that Family Passes make a great gift; and are available for purchase in the Department of Fish & Wildlife’s Online store @ www.mefishwildlife.com.
For more information about any of these programs, please call the Maine Wildlife Park at
207-657-4977; or visit us online at www.mainewildlifepark.com , www.mefishwildlife.com or on Facebook!

The Social Security Administration Announces "Simplify Your Life" Week.

Simplify Your Life Week

Posted on August 6, 2015 by Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

You’re a busy person! Today’s world is fast-paced and leaves you with a lot to juggle each day.
This is Simplify Your Life Week, and we’re here to help save you time and energy so you can spend more time on the things you enjoy.
What if we told you there’s a place that can help you meet many of your Social Security needs at once?

You can access many of our convenient and secure services online when you visit our “What You Can Do Online” website. In a matter of minutes, you can open your free my Social Security account and view your earnings history in your Social Security Statement. The Retirement Estimator is another great tool to help find the best retirement age for you based on your earnings and your individual circumstances. This is a simple and quick way to see what you could be getting every month after you start receiving retirement benefits.
When you join the millions who already do business with us online, you can find out if you qualify for benefits. Then, you can get estimates of the future retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you or your family could be eligible to receive. After that, the next step is applying for those benefits electronically! In most retirement cases, that’s it. You don’t have any more papers to sign or documents to provide.
If you already receive benefits, you can access your benefit verification letter, change your address or phone number, and start or update direct deposit information.
Simplifying your life isn’t just about removing distractions; it’s also about improving your quality of life. Let us help you, whether you’re going through a major life change or you want to rest easy after seeing the options your future holds. Using our online services is just one more way you can make your life less complicated!