HNTB and the MTA
Dear Independent,
The engineering firm of choice of the Maine Turnpike Authority for the building of the proposed new toll plaza in York is HNTB. They are a well-known national firm that
back in 2000, when they were performing maintenance on the present York Toll Plaza, according to OSHA, "failed to conduct pre-job monitoring to identify likely sources of asbestos, and once asbestos-containing material was discovered, did not promptly notify Turnpike and subcontractor employees of the asbestos hazard."
Twelve alleged serious violations with penalties were directed at HNTB for failing to protect workers - this includes MTA employees - from asbestos.
The citizens of York and members of Think Again have worked to get the MTA to go back to the drawing board and really look at keeping the plaza where it is in the same footprint. HNTB will be conducting this study. No wonder I can't sleep at night.
Barbara Matthews
York
Attitudes are all wrong
Dear Independent,
I was watching the Aug. 18 selectmen's meeting waiting for the public hearing on low-income/workforce housing to start.
Can't say I was impressed at all with the attitude or behavior of the three selectmen seated to the right of the podium, Mike Estes, Ted Little and Cathy Goodwin. They could care less about the real concerns of the majority of York residents. Doesn't matter to them if you have concerns about the density of the project, or the fact that Selectman Estes has a conflict of interest being the owner of the oil company that supplies the York Housing Authority and then voting on issues involving the YHA. It doesn't matter that people have real issues with the devaluation of their properties. It doesn't matter if people have a problem with the York Housing Authority and their poor performance with the residents of Yorkshire Commons. When you have complaints of anger and intimidation toward the residents, maintenance and safety problems, not being listened to, etc., the York Housing Authority is not doing a good job for its residents. When the residents have pet names like "slum town" and "stalag 17," I don't see how you can even think you are doing right by the residents.
I personally have no confidence that the YHA will do any better given the chance at running this project, so any involvement by the YHA is a deal-breaker for me. I will be voting NO to this ordinance.
If the bullying, asinine behavior by York Housing Authority member Jim Gambrill during his time at the podium is any indication of what the elderly residents have to go through during one of their meetings, I can totally understand their feelings of intimidation, frustration and fear.
Then there is the problem of these three selectmen not standing behind their own facts and figures they used to answer the questions put forth by the public. Everything
is hunky-dory according to them. There won't be added schoolchildren; there won't be a devaluation of your property, etc. Of course their research had nothing to do with the town of York. Their references came from a Washington-based committee that aids and promotes multifamily, low income and workforce housing. Yep, you'll get unbiased facts from that outfit. The other references were from out of state, New Hampshire.
A very telling moment happened during the public hearing. A gentleman asked Selectman Little if he could guarantee what he said was going to happen - no increased taxes, no devaluation of property. It was a simple "Yes" or "No" answer. That is not what the gentleman received.
"It is what the studies say; it is what the studies say," was the response.
So these three selectmen put out research that has nothing to do with the town of York and that they don't even back up themselves. Yes, sir very revealing.
The number of units needed for York, 338, is bogus also. I know people who work in the schools and at the hospital. They will not move to York just to live in this type of housing. They will not pick up their families that are established in other communities where their children have their friends, school, sports and church, to move to York. That number is not true.
I will be voting NO to this ordinance in November. It needed fixing before it went to the people of York, not after. Get it right the first time.
Nancy Martin
York
Workforce housing is a need
Dear Independent,
We are pleased to share with you the report submitted by Police Chief Douglas Bracy to the town manager regarding the residency demographics for full-time employees of the Police Department. This extremely important document affirms the need to have workforce affordable homes built in York, Article One on the upcoming Nov. 4 ballot.
Chief Bracy, in a separate letter to us, stated, "Your proposal seems to strike a good balance where it is small enough to create a responsible environment to live in, yet large enough to attract private money to achieve the goal. Hopefully people will come out to support this proposal."
His report to the town manager is as follows.
York Police/Communications Department Demographics regarding Residency (full-time employees only). 27 fulltime employees in department: 13 officers live in the town of York: nine officers own homes within the town, most have owned their homes for more than 10 years-plus (before substantial increases in property prices), all involve husband and wife working full time, three of these officers involved assistance through family-owned land, three other officers reside in town in rental units, none believe they will be able to afford homes in York, all are single presently and either share apts. or are in studio apts. 14 officers live out of town: two moved from owning residences in York to upgrade to larger homes and reduce mortgages payments, nine own their own homes - two out of state, three are in rentals properties - one out of state. Four fulltime administrative personnel (non-police), three own their homes out of town, one owns home in Town of York. Eight fulltime communications personnel, three own homes in Town of York, two of these have owned for over 10 years, two rent properties in York and are single, three own homes outside of town.
Factors and Considerations. It is apparent that several factors play into employees being able to afford property in York: most who live here obtained property prior to mid 1990s when prices were more reasonable some were aided by family owned property, newer employees are starting out with far more college debt than prior to mid 1990s, ownership by single-wage earners is near impossible.
From a chief's standpoint, there are many reasons why it is important to have public safety personnel living within the community. These personnel tend to work many hours of overtime over an average 40-hour week - closer to 50-60 average per week - some may work in excess of 70 hours in a given week. Working shift-work can create short intervals between turnarounds when an employee is mandated to work - 6 to 8; when travel to home takes up 1 to 2 hours for a roundtrip this brings those intervals to 4 to 6 hours which is not sufficient to properly rest these employees. Public safety many times requires call-ins for emergencies and coverage as soon as possible. Call-ins many times are created during weather emergencies which further slow response by out of town employees when they are needed most. Community policing is best achieved when employees and their families live in the town they work in. It is proven that living in town helps to create an attitude that their work becomes more than a job. Living in town also gives those employees a greater knowledge of the town and its people. This knowledge translates into more personalize service. This knowledge also allows employees to direct services more quickly and efficiently.
In looking at the issue of retention of employees it is apparent that housing is one of the key considerations in whether employees stay for a career vs. just a stepping stone to the next job. Pay and benefits are part of their consideration to leave but the number one issue still comes down to family considerations of where they can live and raise a family as a critical factor in their decisions to go else where.
In the 1970s to 1980s, it was a job requirement for employees to live within the community. As the availability and costs of affordable housing and rentals changed, so did the department's contractual requirements for residency. Presently, employees are allowed to live up to 30 miles away from the department. While acceptable as a contractual issue, it is hard for myself as chief to feel that I am able to provide services especially in "true emergencies" when employees live so far away; 30 miles in good weather and light traffic is one thing, 30 miles in a severe snowstorm or during peak travel times when a commute time can be doubled leaves me uncertain of whether I can provide the staff necessary during major events.
Currently most of the command and supervisory staff lives in or near town and these employees tend to be the support I count on to bridge the gap between getting other employees in to work. Within five years, most of these employees will probably be retired and if we are to fill from within the ranks as has been our practice, the issue of response times and residency will be even more critical.
Please vote "YES" on Article One!
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Estes
Jim Gambrill
Ted Little
York
Library deserves town's support
Dear Independent,
To all the fulltime residents of York who voted against the funding needed by the York Library to fund an additional person to staff the library, I say shame on you. Because of your NO vote for the much-needed additional funding the library has been forced to curtail the library hours of operation, reduces its services and just eliminate or reduce all the things a good library can do for a community. For those of you who would have voted for the extra budget, but failed to go to the polls to vote, I can only add the same shame on you and you all should be ashamed of yourselves.
I do volunteer work with a very nice lady who stated to me that she would not give one single dime to the library fund because she doesn't like the building. When I questioned her I realized that she is looking only at the outside and not the inside where all the activity takes place. She has never been inside the library; therefore, she has not seen the hundreds of people who rely on the library for their computer services, the hundreds of people who check out books, video tapes and DVDs - all free of charge on a daily bases - the number of parents who bring their children to the library for activities that are geared to teaching them the love of a good library and of reading.
The library is here, it is built and the building paid for, so why the people of York won't agree to an increase in the operational budget so that the library can continue to offer its many services to the community and stay open enough hours in the day so that working people can also use its services is beyond me.
I am sure that the next time the budget is up for a vote - in 2009 - the library folks will try again to get the funding they need to carry on the work of this wonderful library. If you are one of the folks who voted against the budget this last time or one of those persons that failed to vote altogether, I hope you will take a second look at this jewel of a library and do your civic duty and vote to fully support it financially and all its many services. It really is the heart of York and needs you help to continue to beat. Please vote for the library!
John Britt
York Beach
Memory Walk is Sept. 20
Dear Independent,
This Saturday, Sept. 20, the Memory Walk for Alzheimer's Disease will begin at the York Beach Ball Field. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:30 a.m. The beautiful three-mile route will leave the ball field, go up to the lighthouse and back along the ocean, right through downtown York Beach. For those who prefer, there is also a shorter route.
All walkers who donate $25 dollars or more will receive a t-shirt, and Ruby's restaurant has kindly made sure that every walker will receive a coupon for a free appetizer. The Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter, will be on hand with samples of wonderful items that can be ordered, with the proceeds dedicated to the work they do for the citizens of Maine 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
On the morning of Sept. 20, you will see dedicated staff from Home Instead Senior Care and York Hospital Home Care, who are co-chairing the walk. You may see several of the people who are running for office to represent York and Ogunquit in Augusta. You'll see balloons, be offered a free massage and free coffee from the good folks at The Daily Grind, and be treated to goodies graciously donated by Hannaford. You'll see a beautiful blue pin in the shape of a forget-me-not. It's the one I wear as a necklace in honor of those who struggle daily with Alzheimer's disease. You can order one as a holiday gift with special meaning, or for yourself in memory of a loved one lost to Alzheimer's.
What you absolutely won't see there - yet - is a survivor of Alzheimer's disease.
We walk for them. Please join us. If you can't be there that day, consider purchasing a Forget-Me-Not paper flower for $1 the next time you're at Hannaford. You'll see a sign for them on every cash register.
With sincere thanks on behalf of the Memory Walk 2008 Committee,
Nicole Waldron
Corporate Sponsorship Chair
Volunteer for Coastal Cleanup
Dear Independent,
I am hoping that you will help volunteer at the International Coastal Cleanup sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy. I will coordinate the cleanups again this year for York's public beaches, including Long Beach, York Harbor, Short Sands and Cape Neddick.
The International Coastal Cleanup is a global effort to reduce ocean pollution. Every year in the third week of September, volunteers all over the world pick up trash along coastlines and waterways, recording every piece of trash collected.
In 2007, we picked up almost 1,000 pounds of trash from our local York beaches. Please help us to remove dangerous items, like six-pack holders, rope and dangerous plastics that pollute our oceans and put our wildlife at risk of entanglement or ingestion. Trash in the ocean kills more than one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and turtles each year.
Remaining York cleanup dates and times include Long Beach on Sept. 20 at 2 p.m., meet at the bathhouse, and Short Sands, Short Sands, date and time to be determined. All supplies are provided.
Please plan on giving one hour of your time and let's make sure that York has the cleanest beaches in the world!
Allie Hayford
Cape Neddick
A senseless act
Dear Independent,
Boo to the person who pounded two three-inch-wide stakes into the flower barrel at the corner of Southside Road and Route 1 and then stapled on a sign advertising a yard sale at 71 Seabury Road. The stakes broke many of the petunia stems and severed many of the plant roots.
It would be appreciated if signs are not placed in the traffic islands, barrels and garden areas maintained by the OYGC and Parks and Recreation. We all work hard to beautify public areas around the town of York. Please respect these areas as you would your own yard and help keep York beautiful for all.
Bobbie Newick McGann
Civic Development Committee
Old York Garden Club
Motorcycle Run a success
Dear Independent,
The first annual Motorcycle Run for Parkinson's Disease has come and gone with great success. While mother nature decided to have a hurricane come our way, which caused most of our long-distance bikers to stay away, the run was still a success. Why? Because SIS succeeded in getting the word out, created awareness and raised a lot of money for the Maine Parkinson Society.
We also received many donations from all over from people who do not ride a motorcycle.
I can't tell you how many people commented about all the charities out there, but they don't see much for Parkinson's Disease. They all said that they have never seen a motorcycle run for Parkinson's Disease. Three riders have requested to work with me in the upcoming years to make this a very large event with more than 1,000 riders.
A special thank-you goes out to the following, who helped make this a successful and safe motorcycle run, American Legion, Mainiax Cafe, Norm Daigle, Brad Ring, Mark Clifford and the York Police Department, Starkey Ford and Sanford Police Department.
It's never too late to donate. Please feel free to send your check made payable to the Maine Parkinson Society to SIS, Attn: Stephanie E. Vallee, 408 Route 1, York, ME 03909.
It is your generosity and support that will help find a cure.
Thank you,
Stephanie Vallee
York
Thanks from the CFW
Dear Independent,
The Center for Wildlife would like to thank everyone who attended our 2008 Open House event on Sept. 7 in support of the work we do helping sick and injured wildlife.
Although the weather forecast was uncertain - Hanna - it turned out to be a beautiful, sunny day and we ended up with a record number of attendees.
I hope that all of you had a wonderful time and learned a little more about the Center and its important mission. The event was a great success, with many of you, who are new to the center, seeing the animals we care for up close for the first time. Some of you also witnessed the release of birds that we have successfully rehabilitated and we hope that it was an enjoyable and uplifting experience.
The center opened in 1986 to rehabilitate sick and injured wildlife and now cares for over 1,600 birds, reptiles and mammals each year. This includes many non-releasable "residents" such as hawks, owls and turtles, which are used in educational programs for schools, senior centers and community events. Our state and federal permits do not allow CFW to be open to the public on a daily basis. This one-day event allows our supporters and the communities we serve, to come to the center and get a better understanding of our mission to help these injured animals and educate the public about the importance of these wild creatures.
We have received many kind comments and thanks regarding the free trolley service we have provided the last two years and we greatly appreciate this feedback. These trolleys were made possible through generous donations from York County Community Action Corporation and other donors. CFW is committed to reducing our impact on the environment and because many of you took advantage of this free service, we were able to increase attendance, while reducing the number of vehicles driving to this year's event.
This year's event featured many examples of this environmental commitment including providing compostable dinnerware and utensils, a solar panel power system and the unveiling of plans for our new LEED certified "green" building. Because so many of you have asked how you can become involved with the center, we will be posting specific information about our Capital Campaign on our website www.yorkcenterforwildlife.org shortly. We encourage everyone to visit the site to find out how you can help.
I would like to give special thanks to all of you who participated in the planning, setting-up and delivery of this year's Open House event and to all of the business and private sponsors who contributed money, food, raffle prizes and equipment that made this event possible as well as the Open House exhibitors, who provided entertaining and educational displays, which the visitors clearly enjoyed. These organizations are listed on our website sponsor page and I hope that you will support all of them.
Finally, this could not have been achieved without the generous support and dedication of all the CFW staff, interns, volunteers and board members who have donated their thoughts, time and enthusiasm to ensure that we continue to demonstrate what a special place the Center for Wildlife truly is.
Sincerely,
Steven Corrigan
Board Chair
The Center for Wildlife
Cape Neddick
