Protect history with Town Hall plan
Dear Independent,
The article in The York Independent has spurred my interest in the new Town Hall project - as I gather final plans are still in limbo.
May I make a few observations? I first settled in York 50 years ago and have watched the lovely small town for which I came here gradually disappear. It seems to me we have a marvelous opportunity right now to continue our hopes for at least partially maintaining our historic looks. There are properties in the center of York now for sale that could be renovated for a Town Hall that would do justice to our town.
First, the old Emerson House, now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Tom Viele at 31 Long Sands Road. Now in good repair, it's in a perfect location next to the library - where the meeting hall is available. Parking areas and a new road to Woodbridge Road could be made to the east of the house, allowing easy access and eliminating impact on busy Long Sands Road.
Second, I see a "For Sale" sign on the old Victorian "Ice House" across the street. This would be in a location of easy access to the current Town Hall at the back. Perhaps we could keep the present Town Hall for certain functions and spread out into the "Ice House" for space for records - not as an active, but more passive part of our Town Hall.
Third, further along Long Sands Road is the "plaza" where Rite Aid and two other stores are leaving. This is a one-story building from the front with some additional space on a lower level at the back. Could this not be reconstructed to be a very fine Town Hall? The hospital has several units there, and the restaurant and bank at the other end could all be incorporated into a new design, which would include the Town Hall.
Please also consider an alternative possibility. Has anyone asked the First Parish Church if we could build an addition to the Town Hall? They own the property and could be interested in allowing a fine-looking annex of similar material and design incorporated into an addition at the back of the current Town Hall. As the church has a basement, possibly a new addition would also be able to have a lower area for storage and fireproof safety of documents. An elevator could also be installed.
All properties are on town water, sewer, electricity, and are accessible without roads having to be built, etc. It seems that one or another of these locations could accommodate our Town Hall needs, be in the center of our town, be "historic" with some renovations, accessible and more appropriate than a new building on a hill away from the center, where so much work and money would be required - plus, the fact that the new owners of Coventry Hall are eager to buy back the land that was bought for the Town Hall.
Please consider, also, that the housing market is in a freefall and we could be able to find a real bargain among one or another of the ones I have mentioned. So, a win-win for everyone.
Let's look before we leap.
Cynthia Raymond
York
York Beach plan needs closer look
Dear Independent,
York residents and property owners should review the draft ordinance for York Beach revitalization.
The zoning portion, pages 1 through 16, includes some extreme changes. The Design Review Standards seem to be O.K. There appears to be more interest in expansion and business gains than revitalization. This plan is similar to the rejected plan submitted two years ago.
The review process has been rushed through Planning in Town Hall and the Planning Board. York officials have not provided for needed public involvement. It seems that even the majority of York Beach property owners are not in agreement.
Essentially no planning or studies are included for the number of allowed new dwelling units/condos/apartments, flood zone, access road, traffic, parking, open space, beach capacity and increased cost of town services. New dwelling units/condos/apartments could be more than 1,000.
It includes extreme changes in permitted uses and dimensions. The proposed zoning allows increased height, reduced setbacks, business/amusement park in residential areas west of Main Street and large multifamily complexes.
The Transition Zone includes a 60-acre parcel permitting small and large buildings that can include as many dwelling units/condos/apartments, with 600-square-foot living space, as will fit in the buildings. More than 20 in a building on a 12,000-square-foot lot, over 100 in a building on a five-acre lot. Also, there's a seven-acre parcel in the Center Zone.
It does not address other development pressures. For example, a developer is in the process of acquiring up to 200 acres, starting with the amusement park/zoo area and extending to Route 1. The latest news report regarding this included plans to provide a world class development and a bedroom community for Boston commuters. The future of the zoo and amusement park was uncertain. Previous plans had addressed housing, retail business and a destination resort.
Clifford Estes
York
If you don't have something nice to say...
Dear Independent,
My late mother always told me, "If you can't say something nice about somebody, don't say anything."
Rarely did I need that excellent woman's advice, invariably to my sorrow. In my younger years, I was often brashly outspoken in expressing my opinions, regardless of reaction. Age has tamed me somewhat, but not entirely.
My wife and I have been happy tax-paying and law-abiding residents of York for seven years. We are thankful for all the excellent municipal services the town provides. That said, I offer the following: It was an ill day for York when personal health matters obliged Torbert Macdonald to relinquish his seat on the board, and it was further an ill day when personal circumstances obliged Len Dorrian to step down. Thank heaven Mike Estes and Ted Little are on hand to represent the known and stated wishes of the people of York.
All right, Mother, I'll shut up.
Warren LeMon
York
York Youth Football thanks community
Dear Independent,
On behalf of the York Youth Football organization, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the members, families, spectators and community businesses that made our 2007 fundraising campaign a HUGE success.
For the past 14 years, the program has been fortunate enough to use the YHS Varsity field and all its peripheral equipment but was faced with finding another location in 2007. Fortunately, YYF was able to negotiate use of the YMS field on a seasonal basis but then realized the fact that it had to completely outfit the new field, some of which had to meet Southern Maine Youth Football League (SMYFL) guidelines. Necessary items included new goal posts and safety pads, an electronic score board, miscellaneous game day equipment as well as a fully-equipped stand alone concession trailer.
With the generous support of the families, spectators and local businesses we were able to raise almost $20,000 and gave every penny directly back to the organization. This was an amazing accomplishment and could have never been achieved without the teamwork and combined efforts of dozens of volunteers - a list much too long to name them all. I am hopeful you each know how much we value your commitment and contribution of time - we could not operate without you. Thank you to all our coaches, assistant coaches, parents and players who continually give 110 percent every day from mid-August until November.
Special recognition also goes out to my fellow Board members, who continue to inspire me with their dedication and vision and genuine love for the youth football program. They work tirelessly behind the scenes all year long and make the organization of YYF appear seamless.
Our financial sponsors certainly made an enormous impact and we sincerely appreciate all they have done. They include GOLD: RE/MAX Realty One, York Lobster & Seafood, Herne Schools of Discovery, Bragdon Insurance, American Legion Post #56, York Shores Sales & Marketing, Lobster Cove Restaurant and York Hospital; SILVER: White Crane Body Work Center and Freedom Salon & Day Spa, and BRONZE: Ocean Communities Federal Credit Union, Bigger N' Better Sport Fishing, Coldwell Banker Yorke Realty and Starkey Ford.
I would also like to thank the following businesses and/or individuals who supported us financially or donated/discounted products or services that added to our bottom line: Anthony's Food Shop, Bagel Basket, Pine State Trading Company, Market Basket, York House of Pizza, Congdon's Donuts, Coastal Fitness, Union Bluff Hotel, Marshall's Rental, Bullshirt, LLC, York Kiwanis, Norma's Restaurant, Shoofly Pie Graphics, Abigail Boisvert, Butch Reilly, Charlene Turgeon, Hannaford's, Simple Signs & Banners, Infinite Imaging, Larry Hagerman, Kittery Animal Hospital, and Erwin, Ott, Clark & Campbell. Additionally, I would like to thank the York Parks & Recreation Department, Ted Welch, Athletic Director at YHS, and Steve Bishop, Principal of YMS for their support and patience.
YYF depends 100 percent on donations and registration fees to support its expenses. If you would like more information on how you can make a difference or would like to receive our quarterly newsletter, please call Lori Barrett at 337-1515 or e-mail yorkyouthfootball@maine.rr.com.
More information can also be found at www.yorkyouthfootball.com.
With sincere gratitude,
Lori Barrett
Fundraising Officer
York Youth Football
Operation Christmas Child a success
Dear Independent,
Thanks to the generosity of our neighbors in Sanford, many children around the world have something to smile about. Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas project, collected 4,148 gift-filled shoe boxes from local residents during last year's collection season. These gifts from right here in our community are now on their way to hurting children around the world.
With the donations of shoebox gifts from churches, individuals, businesses and community groups, Operation Christmas Child will be able to hand-deliver over 7.6 million gifts to children in more than 100 countries. Many of these distributions are taking place right now. On behalf of our community, I would like to thank all the local collection sites for providing locations for collecting the gifts and all the volunteers who served with this amazing project for children.
To everyone in the Sanford area who packed a shoe box gift, please be encouraged by the fact that these simple gifts will serve as powerful messages of joy and hope to needy children around the world. Thank you for joining our community in this amazing outreach, and for giving to others at Christmas.
Though the Sanford drop-off locations are closed until November 2008, it is not too late to send gifts to children overseas. Gifts are received year-round at Samaritan's Purse, 801 Bamboo Road, Boone, NC, 28607. For information on packing a shoebox, go online to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ or call (800) 353-5949.
Thanks again to everyone who participated in the project. We look forward to seeing you next year!
Sincerely,
Dana Stark
Regional Director
Operation Christmas Child
