I was working in my office today and looked up to see MRM standing in the doorway. She and RBF were out walking the dogs and were "in the neighborhood." "Benny and Cassie are downstairs and would love to see you." So I put on my coat and went downstairs with MRM. There, standing in front of the Education Center was RBF with the two dogs. It was so fun to see them! But as soon as I stepped outside, my focus changed to the weather. It was really cold!
It was in the high 30's and raining when I left the house this morning, so I wore my REI windbreaker/rain jacket. Yesterday, the lows were in the high 30's, so I was fine walking home at night, but I already knew (it was about 5:30 when they stopped by) that I was going to be cold walking home even if I left right now. And I would be REALLY cold walking home if I left at my usual time. So I petted Benny and Cassie and thanked MRM and RBF for stopping by and went back to my office to finish what I was working on and pack up. I actually left my office by 6:15 which is really early for me and headed home in the daylight. It was cold, but not much colder than when I visited the dogs (and their people). Fortunately, what little wind there was was at my back. I made it safely home. I didn't get nearly as much done as I would have if I had stayed at work, but it was so nice to be warm inside and not have to worry about that cold walk home.
In Texas, we always say, "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute." I said that once to one of my students who told me that's what they say about Maine. Today was my first time to witness that.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
March 13, 2007: Farmington Town Meeting in the Newspaper
The next morning after the town meeting, this article appeared in the paper. The reporter must've had to leave in order to turn in the story because the real news was the next to the last item on the warrant. But otherwise, this is pretty accurate what was discussed and what was important. It's nice to have names for those faces, in case I run into them again.
Voters approve dam repair funds
By BETTY JESPERSEN
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Tuesday, March 13, 2007
FARMINGTON -- Town meeting voters Monday night unanimously approved repairing an aging mill pond dam in West Farmington.
One resident suggested the park around the dam be renamed in memory of the late Selectman Mary Wright who fought for the dam's preservation for over 30 years.
A two-year seat on the Board of Selectmen to complete Wright's term was won by John Frary with 114 votes with Andrew Hufnagel garnering 54; Stanley Kuklinski, 71, Ryan Morgan, 27, and Robert Vallette, 78. For a one-year term, Jon Bubier won with 205 vote to Kyle Warren's 132. For the School Administrative District 9 School Board, incumbents Raymond Glass won with 257 votes, Yvette Robinson with 240 and Fred O. Smith, 117.
The $4 million municipal budget approved Monday will exceed the 2007 spending cap formula set under LD 1 by $154,813.
Last year, voters after a lengthy discussion slashed a $100,000 request for repairs to the deteriorating concrete and stone dam to $10,000. This year, the request for $22,000 was approved. The combined $32,000 will be used to brace the existing dam, said Town Manager Richard Davis.
Resident Tom Eastler, a geologist at the University of Maine at Farmington, was among those last year who opposed spending $100,000 for repairs. He said now he sees its potential in the future as a possible source of low-head hydro power the town can use for electricity.
"It won't make us any money but we would do it for the sustainability of the town of Farmington that we can supply basic needs of the town in times of not having any electricity," he said.
He said the town had enough "tinkerers" and students from Foster Technology Center and the University of Maine at Farmington who might devise a low-cost system.
from: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/3709045.html
Voters approve dam repair funds
By BETTY JESPERSEN
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Tuesday, March 13, 2007
FARMINGTON -- Town meeting voters Monday night unanimously approved repairing an aging mill pond dam in West Farmington.
One resident suggested the park around the dam be renamed in memory of the late Selectman Mary Wright who fought for the dam's preservation for over 30 years.
A two-year seat on the Board of Selectmen to complete Wright's term was won by John Frary with 114 votes with Andrew Hufnagel garnering 54; Stanley Kuklinski, 71, Ryan Morgan, 27, and Robert Vallette, 78. For a one-year term, Jon Bubier won with 205 vote to Kyle Warren's 132. For the School Administrative District 9 School Board, incumbents Raymond Glass won with 257 votes, Yvette Robinson with 240 and Fred O. Smith, 117.
The $4 million municipal budget approved Monday will exceed the 2007 spending cap formula set under LD 1 by $154,813.
Last year, voters after a lengthy discussion slashed a $100,000 request for repairs to the deteriorating concrete and stone dam to $10,000. This year, the request for $22,000 was approved. The combined $32,000 will be used to brace the existing dam, said Town Manager Richard Davis.
Resident Tom Eastler, a geologist at the University of Maine at Farmington, was among those last year who opposed spending $100,000 for repairs. He said now he sees its potential in the future as a possible source of low-head hydro power the town can use for electricity.
"It won't make us any money but we would do it for the sustainability of the town of Farmington that we can supply basic needs of the town in times of not having any electricity," he said.
He said the town had enough "tinkerers" and students from Foster Technology Center and the University of Maine at Farmington who might devise a low-cost system.
from: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/3709045.html
March 14, 2007: Farmington Town Meeting in the News--Part 2
Here's the rest of the news. I wonder if they had 2 reporters at the meeting. The first one left and turned in the story that came out yesterday and the second reporter stayed and got the really juicy story. hmmmm. I have no idea, but this was the most controversial discussion of the evening.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Farmington voters defeat cluster-style zoning amendment
By SAMANTHA DEPOY
Correspondent Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Wednesday, March 14, 2007
FARMINGTON -- An attempt to stop sprawl before it starts has failed in Farmington.
At Monday night's town meeting, an amendment to the town's zoning ordinance that would require developers seeking to develop subdivisions to file a secondary cluster-style plan, was defeated by a 41-33 margin.
Had it been adopted, the Open Space Residential Development amendment would have applied to subdivisions of more than eight homes on 10 acres. It would have demanded developers file a plan with the Farmington Planning Board that would preserve a minimum of 45 percent of the property.
Instead of having homes spread out throughout the parcel, the secondary plan would set homes closer together while conserving a larger, common space.
The article featuring the amendment, which was drafted in response to a development that divided the historic Osborne Farm, generated more discussion than any other at the three-hour meeting.
Challengers contended the amendment would be too restrictive and repel investment in Farmington.
Local representative Janet Mills was concerned about the landscaping and home color and style standards the amendment would mandate.
"This proposal goes too far. It doesn't sound like Farmington to me," she said.
Others pointed out that by shoving houses shoulder-to-shoulder, sprawl would be stimulated.
"Doesn't this do exactly what we don't want it to do? Doesn't this create sprawl?" questioned newly-elected Selectman Jon Bubier.
Local Realtor Carol Hatch agreed, saying she gets inquiries daily from people looking to move out of cluster-style subdivisions.
"They don't want to live in that and that's why they are coming here," she explained. "We are rural Maine and I'd like to see it stay that way."
While all three incumbent selectmen supported the article, multiple members of the planning board, including chair Bussie York, did not.
Even those who spoke against it said they supported open spaces, but thought the amendment needed alterations and encouraged it be brought back before voters at next year's town meeting or at a special meeting later this year.
Following the failed vote, residents unanimously approved the enactment of the town of Farmington Right to Farm Ordinance, which was proposed by York, also a local farmer.
The ordinance, he said, shows that the town is supportive of Farmington farmers and reads, "...it is in the public interest to enhance and encourage farms, farm operations and locally grown farm products within the town."
Samantha DePoy -- 778-3949
samdepoy@verizon.net
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Farmington voters defeat cluster-style zoning amendment
By SAMANTHA DEPOY
Correspondent Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Wednesday, March 14, 2007
FARMINGTON -- An attempt to stop sprawl before it starts has failed in Farmington.
At Monday night's town meeting, an amendment to the town's zoning ordinance that would require developers seeking to develop subdivisions to file a secondary cluster-style plan, was defeated by a 41-33 margin.
Had it been adopted, the Open Space Residential Development amendment would have applied to subdivisions of more than eight homes on 10 acres. It would have demanded developers file a plan with the Farmington Planning Board that would preserve a minimum of 45 percent of the property.
Instead of having homes spread out throughout the parcel, the secondary plan would set homes closer together while conserving a larger, common space.
The article featuring the amendment, which was drafted in response to a development that divided the historic Osborne Farm, generated more discussion than any other at the three-hour meeting.
Challengers contended the amendment would be too restrictive and repel investment in Farmington.
Local representative Janet Mills was concerned about the landscaping and home color and style standards the amendment would mandate.
"This proposal goes too far. It doesn't sound like Farmington to me," she said.
Others pointed out that by shoving houses shoulder-to-shoulder, sprawl would be stimulated.
"Doesn't this do exactly what we don't want it to do? Doesn't this create sprawl?" questioned newly-elected Selectman Jon Bubier.
Local Realtor Carol Hatch agreed, saying she gets inquiries daily from people looking to move out of cluster-style subdivisions.
"They don't want to live in that and that's why they are coming here," she explained. "We are rural Maine and I'd like to see it stay that way."
While all three incumbent selectmen supported the article, multiple members of the planning board, including chair Bussie York, did not.
Even those who spoke against it said they supported open spaces, but thought the amendment needed alterations and encouraged it be brought back before voters at next year's town meeting or at a special meeting later this year.
Following the failed vote, residents unanimously approved the enactment of the town of Farmington Right to Farm Ordinance, which was proposed by York, also a local farmer.
The ordinance, he said, shows that the town is supportive of Farmington farmers and reads, "...it is in the public interest to enhance and encourage farms, farm operations and locally grown farm products within the town."
Samantha DePoy -- 778-3949
samdepoy@verizon.net
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