June Openings

Transfer Station Changes – June 2020

The Transfer Station will begin accepting bottle donations effective June 2nd.

We will also be opening the store with the following COVID restrictions…

  •     Please limit the number of people in your household that enter as only 5 patrons will be allowed in the building at a time.
  •     Masks are encouraged per the Governor when 6ft social distancing can not be achieved.
  •     Do not handle merchandise that you do not intend to buy.
  •     DO NOT enter the store if you are not feeling well or have the following symptoms: fever, headache, sore throat, loss of taste/smell, cough.
  •     We are asking that if you experience any of the above symptoms within 8 days of visiting any of the Town’s locations, you please contact the Town Office at 207-647-8786 and report your illness.

IMPORTANT:  In order to track the number of guests in the store at any time, we have placed a bucket at the entrance with 5 golf balls inside.  Please take a golf ball and carry it with you.  Once you are done shopping or browsing, please return the ball to an attendant for disinfecting.  The attendant will return the ball to the pile for the next patron to use.

Thank you for assisting us with our temporary restrictions so that we may offer additional services to the public.  Stay Safe!

Press Release-Virtual Meetings

PRESS RELEASE

Release Date: March 27, 2020

VIRTUAL MEETINGS

The Municipal Building is currently closed to the public and this includes attendance to various meetings. To keep the public informed we are working with Lake Region Television to do live stream of our meetings and to allow public participation we have set up a virtual meeting platform. In order to participate in selected meetings you will need to call an assigned telephone number and access number. These numbers will be different for each meeting. This information will be posted in advance on our website, social media and will be noted on each posted agenda. Any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 207-803­-9959.

Georgiann M. Fleck, Public Information Officer
Town of Bridgton

**UPDATED** MUNICIPAL SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

PRESS RELEASE

March 18, 2020

RE: COVID-19 Update

The Town of Bridgton has made the decision to close the Town Office to the public effective Thursday, March 19th through Friday, April 3rd, re-opening April 6th.  Essential personnel will be working remotely, monitoring emails and phone messages. We apologize for any inconvenience, but continuing to reduce the risk of exposure will help avoid further shut down. Our priority is keeping our employees and community both safe and informed.

Updates will be provided via our web-site https://bridgtonmaine.org/ and FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/bridgtontown/.  This situation is ongoing, and subject to change pending additional information and updates.

Board and Committee Meetings are suspended until further notice. Any changes in schedule will be posted on our web-site and FaceBook pages.  More information on events scheduling may be found:  https://bridgtonmaine.org/events/

The Bridgton Town Office is closed to the public effective Thursday, March 19th through Friday, April 3rd, re-opening Monday, April 6th.  Hours of operation will be re-evaluated at that time.  Please note – many services are supported on-line, such as licensing, permitting, and payments. A limited number of Staff will be on-site daily, monitoring phones and email.

A secure drop box is located at the main entrance of the Town Office. This drop box may be used for payments, applications, and General Assistance documentation. Processing and distribution of USPS Mail will be limited to twice weekly.

General Assistance applications will be processed by phone only, Tuesdays and Thursdays during the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.  For more information on the application process and program requirements, please visit: https://bridgtonmaine.org/seek-assistance/ or call Laurie Chadbourne, Town Clerk at 207-803-9950.

Bridgton Recreation Department and Old Town Hall – the Town Hall is closed and all programs are cancelled through April 3rd. Program cancelations include ALL Town Hall Gym facility programs. At this time spring sports programs including pre-season baseball, softball, and lacrosse and current after-school programs have all been suspended until further notice with the intent to still have spring programming and a sports season.

The Recreation Department will still accept registrations for all spring and summer program.  Please visit https://bridgtonmaine.org/bridgton-recreation/ for on-line registration.  For additional questions, please contact Gary Colello, Recreation Director, 207-647-1126 or by email: gcolello@bridgtonmaine.org.

Bridgton Public Safety: The Iredale entrance will remain locked, anyone needing police assistance can use the call box phone outside the Police Station or call us direct at the non-emergency phone number: 207-647-8814.

The following public services have been suspended: fingerprinting, concealed weapons permit processing, burn permit assistance, and the medication drop box.

The Public Safety department will not be accepting gifts such as pastries, cards of thanks, fudge, and other tokens of generosity that are often brought to the PD.

Officers are dedicated to providing this community with the highest level of public safety. If you have an emergency please call 911 and we’ll be there.  For more information: https://bridgtonmaine.org/police/

Bridgton Public Services, 31 Willet Road: Essential staff will be on-site regular hours, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Monday – Friday but is closed to the public. Please contact David Madsen with questions or concerns at 207-647-1127 or by email: dmadsen@bridgotnmaine.org.

The Transfer Station, 118 Sandy Creek Road, will remain open regular hours, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Staff has implemented measures to limit potential exposure – staff have been directed not to help unload vehicles and the store is closed to the public.  Any questions should be directed to David Madsen, Public Services Director, 207-647-1127 or by email: dmadsen@bridgtonmaine.org.

Town Staff are monitoring calls and emails. A full list of staff and department phone numbers can be found on-line at: https://bridgtonmaine.org/staff-directory/ and are listed below.

Robert A. Peabody, Jr., Town Manager

207-803-9958

rpeabody@bridgtonmaine.org

Georgiann M. Fleck, Deputy Town Manager

207-803-9959

gmfleck@bridgtonmaine.org

Todd Perreault, EMA Director

207-803-9971

ema@bridgtomaine.org

Catherine Pinkham, Health Officer

207-803-9064

Healthofficer@bridgtonmaine.org

Richard Stillman, Police Chief

207-803-9976

rstillman@bridgtonmaine.org

Tom Harriman, Fire Chief

207-803-9955

firechief@bridgtonmaine.org

Laurie Chadbourne, Town Clerk

207-803-9950

lchadbourne@bridgtonmaine.org

Brenda Day, Code Enforcement Officer

207-803-9963

bday@bridgtonmaine.org

Charisse Keach, Finance Officer

207-803-9957

ckeach@bridgtonmaine.org

Linda LaCroix, Community Development

207-803-9956

llacroix@brigtonmaine.org

David Madsen, Public Services Director

207-647-1127

dmadsen@bridgtonmaine.org

Gary Colello, Recreation Director

207-647-1126

gcolello@bridgtonmaine.org

211 Maine provides free, confidential information and referral services, by phone, text or email.

  • Dial 211 (or 1-866-811-5695)
  • Text your ZIP code to 898-211
  • Email info@211maine.org
  • 211 is TTY and Video Relay accessible if calling from Maine
  • Visit www.maine.gov/dhhs/coronavirus

Additional COVID-19 information, updated daily, is available from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCov/

https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/infectious-disease/epi/airborne/coronavirus.shtml

 

If you have questions, please contact Robert A. Peabody, Jr. at 207-803-9958 or by email: rpeabody@bridgtonmaine.org

Liston E. Eastman
Chairman, Board of Selectmen

Robert A. Peabody
Town Manager

Lakes Region Explorer 2020 Schedule & Route Updates

The Lakes Region Explorer is now officially stopping at the Bridgton Hospital after the schedule departure time from the Bridgton Community Center, and doing a one-way loop through Downtown Bridgton via Main St. and South High St.

Beginning this year there is a new bus on the road!  Seasonal summer service will be provided each Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day – each Saturday there will be three (3) round-trip rides beginning with an 8:30 a.m. departure from Bridgton and with a last trip leaving Portland at 4:20 p.m.

 

Rates:
$3 – ONE WAY TRIP
$2 – STUDENTS (w/ID)
$2 – SENIORS (65+)
$2 – PEOPLE w/DISABILITIES
$25 – 10-RIDE PASS
$50 – MONTHLY PASS
Children 5 & under free (w/ fare paying adult)

More information, including a revised brochure with schedule, rates and route is available on the Town of Bridgton website: https://bridgtonmaine.org/public-transportation/ and the RTP website: http://rtprides.org/lakes-region-explorer/

Junior Harmon Ball Field Re-Dedication Ceremony

Sunday July 14, 2019 4:45PM (or 15min before the U12 Championship Game)

Jr Harmon Ball Field is hosting the Maine State Babe Ruth Softball Championships this weekend, Friday July 12th – Sunday July 14th.  Before the U12 Championship game on Sunday, July 14th, there will be a re-dedication ceremony to recognize the completion of the Jr Harmon Ball Field renovations as well as recognize Jr Harmon for the all the years he spent on the field as a coach, and as the volunteer that prepped the field for the local baseball league for years.

Bridgton Recreation Department will present his family with the original “Jr Harmon Field” sign to keep as a memento to Junior.  One of Junior’s family members will throw out the first pitch before the 12 and Under championship game. This will take place, if there is no weather delays, at 4:45PM at Junior Harmon Ball Field.

We would like to invite all of you down to the Ball Field on Sunday to be a part of the ceremony, maybe watch a great championship game, eat a burger and some fries from the newly renovated snack shack, and check out all the updates at the Ball Field. The Bridgton News plans to attend and get great pictures of the event and the more people the better!!

A big thanks to Public Works, Jeff Frye, Eric Wisseman, Main Line Fencing, and everyone else for of the hours put into this field all spring. Their flexibility, ability to work together, and attention to detail is why this project met its deadlines to be completed for this big league State Tournament weekend!!

Gary Colello
Bridgton Director of Recreation
Andy Valley Softball President
rec@bridgtonmaine.org
207-647-1126

Joint Press Release – Salmon Point Road Settlement Agreement

The Town of Bridgton and the residents of Salmon Point Road are pleased to announce that they have reached a solution to resolve the pending litigation at Salmon Point Road.

The Town of Bridgton has constructed a public footpath parallel to the private portion of Salmon Point Road, physically separated from the private way by a split-rail fence, that will offer safe access to the public beaches at Salmon Point from the available public parking. In conjunction with the recently finished public parking lot, the footpath is part of the Town of Bridgton’s ongoing commitment to improving access to public resources and protecting the historic use and rights of local residents as more people discover the allure and natural beauty of Bridgton’s beaches and lakes.

As shown below, the path extends from the public parking lot adjacent to Salmon Point Campground to the public beaches at Salmon Point and will be maintained by the Town of Bridgton for this purpose. Further, signage will be posted directing visitors to use the footpath. As a result, both residents and visitors at Salmon Point will continue to enjoy access to the beauty of Salmon Point and Long Lake as we head into the summer season.

The Town has completed the gravel path so that visitors can safely access the public beaches and Salmon Point. In addition, new signage will be erected by the Town of Bridgton identifying the private portion of Salmon Point Road as a Private Way. While the two pre-existing handicapped spaces at Salmon Point will be maintained, the use of the private portion of Salmon Point Road will be limited to licensed or placarded handicap vehicles.

In a joint statement, both the residents of Salmon Point Road and the Town of Bridgton stated that “the agreement strikes a well-measured balance between providing access to the public facilities at Salmon Point while preserving the historic use of Salmon Point Road by local residents. We are happy to have been able to come up with an amicable solution that will increase the safety, accessibility and beauty of Bridgton’s public spaces for years to come.”

USDA Invests Over $46 million to Improve Wastewater Infrastructure for Three Maine Communities

USDA Rural Development State Director Timothy P. Hobbs said, “The investment of $46 million in three Maine wastewater systems will be of immense benefit to the communities who are served. These upgrades will modernize decades-old wastewater infrastructure, resulting in increased efficiencies, advancements in technology, and ensuring Maine’s environment is preserved for the people fortunate enough to call Maine home.”

Read the entire press release here:

https://www.rd.usda.gov/newsroom/news-release/usda-invests-over-46-million-improve-wastewater-infrastructure-three-maine

 

USDA RD Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grant Program Project Announcement

USDA RD Project Announcement

This Rural Development investment will be used to rehabilitate the Town of Bridgton, Maine’s wastewater treatment system. The proposed project is to construct a new wastewater treatment facility, upgrade some aging sewer collection infrastructure, and to expand the system which will enable additional users in the greater downtown area to have access to public wastewater services. The expansion portion of the project is expected to add 448 new users, increasing the total number of users on the system from 207 to 655. The proposed project will focus on the wastewater system/facility as it is in need of immediate upgrades.

Some of the plant’s original equipment and processes are upwards of thirty-five years old, and the overall facility is well beyond the twenty-year useful life for which it was originally designed. The plant is now at an age where it has a greater chance of equipment failure and it has incurred increased maintenance needs. Several key unit processes at the plant are inefficient, inadequate, or obsolete. The rehabilitation improvements address the aging infrastructure and capacity issues in the project area, as well as restore the design capacity of the facility at a reasonable cost. The proposed upgrades, which are long overdue, will help the system operate more effectively and efficiently, as well as address the Maine Department of Environmental Protection health and sanitary concerns. The upgrades included in this project represent the highest priorities identified in the Town’s Strategic Plan and will have the greatest benefit to the distribution system. The proposed project is in an Agency identified target area. Rural Development staff have been working within the City over the past few years to extend our services and programs to help the City enhance its mission. The proposed project will not only correct the system’s current operating deficiencies, but also help the City improve their economic development opportunities.

The proposed project is a collaborative effort with funding provided by the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the Town of Bridgton, and Rural Development. By working together all organizations are able to enhance their selection criteria and make their limited resources go further.

 

Other Funding:
$2,000,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund
$443,000 Town of Bridgton

Total Project Cost: $20,880,000

Loan Term: 28 years @ 2.375%

Other Funding: Other: $2,443,000.00
Total Project Cost: $22,880,000.00

 

Bridgton’s rebranding campaign puts it on the map with young home buyers

So does branding really work?

Well, the town of Bridgton, ME, about 40 miles from the city of Portland, came up with the warm and fuzzy tagline “Love Always, Bridgton,” after working with PR firm Black Fly Media. The town of roughly 5,000 has an aging population, about half of them 45 or older, and about one-third of all homes are seasonal or second homes. Town leaders wanted to attract more year-round young families to keep the town vital.

A series of in-depth interviews with residents, business people, and town officials revealed that the town’s most cherished assets were its lakes, streams, and ski area, Shawnee Peak, and its affordability relative to Portland, says Black Fly Media’s Nelson.

“The most predominant thing that kept coming up is that people loved the town, for different reasons,” Nelson says.

Read the whole article here: https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/suburbs-try-branding-campaigns-woo-millennial-home-buyers/

 

 

Bridgton Awarded $11.5M in grants to Complete Three Critical Infrastructure Improvements

BRIDGTON, MAINE — October 1, 2018 —  The Town of Bridgton has been awarded significant funding to offset the costs for three major infrastructure improvements needed in town. The first is a replacement of the aging wastewater system, which has been failing since 2014. The other two projects include restoration and repair of two sections of Main Street. Municipal leaders applied for grants and loans from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Rural Development, United States Development of Agriculture (USDA) and have successfully reduced overall burden to taxpayers with a grant award for $11M for the wastewater project. The Maine Department of Transportation awarded the town $500,000 for the Main Street project.

“We’ve known for some time that the wastewater system is in critical need of replacement and we are very relieved to get this large grant,” says Bob Peabody, Bridgton Town Manager. Recent tests show that private systems are contaminating parts of Stevens Brook – threatening water quality and public safety. The Town’s system needs significant repairs and the DEP says it’s at risk for license violations. Peabody is concerned that if voters don’t approve Question 1 in November the Town will lose the federal funding and residents will end up footing the entire $22.8M price tag. The grant funding currently in place will cover 48-percent of this project’s total.

In 2017, The Town of Bridgton launched a marketing campaign to attract new businesses and year round residents to town, but has been forced to turn away several major retailers, restauranteurs and business because the failing wastewater system is operating at capacity.

“We have plans to develop a senior living campus in Bridgton but we cannot move forward unless the wastewater system is improved,” said Lon Walters, owner of Woodlands Senior Living, a Waterville-based senior and assisted living provider.” Walters says the communities to be built would serve 136 residents and create up to 80 new, permanent jobs in Bridgton.

Two other questions on Bridgton’s November ballot have also received significant state grant money. Two Main Street projects that will improve drainage systems and lighting, implement traffic calming measures, restore crumbling, legally non-compliant sidewalks on both Lower and Upper Main Street have received $500,000 from the Maine Department of Transportation. The improvements are dually aimed at improving safety and accessibility, while stimulating aesthetics to improve economic development. A petition supporting the projects circulated Main Street businesses and garnered several dozens of signatures.

For Deb Snyder, PhD, needed improvements on lower Main Street are a safety concern, adding that “it’s challenging and sometimes dangerous” for her wheelchair-bound daughter to get around on lower Main Street. Snyder, founding director of the HeartGlow Center, a special needs non-profit on Lower Main says the road and sidewalks have been neglected for years and repairs need to be done. “Storm drains are crumbling, potholes are problematic and the walk signals are too short to make it across Route 302 fast enough.”

The town put all three questions on the ballot in hopes that voters will approval all three together. Project engineers say simultaneous construction will create efficiencies that save money in labor and paving costs, and will minimize construction disruptions. Voters will decide each question individually.

To complete all three projects, the cost per household will be less than $100 dollars per year on a home valued at $150,000, according to Bridgton’s Assessor’s Agent. The cost breakdown, per $150k of value is $53 for Question 1; $31 for Question 2 (Upper Main) and $14 for Question 3 (Lower Main).

“The stars have aligned in Bridgton, as we have this impressive financial assistance package in place so for less than $100-dollars per year, residents will get more than $27M in capital improvements,” Peabody adds “the time is now for us to complete these long discussed projects.”

About Bridgton: Settled in 1770, Bridgton is now home to a 67-acre park right downtown, abundant water access, and regional destinations including Shawnee Peak, a handful of camping/RV sites, children’s camps, a drive-in theatre, a golf course, Bridgton Academy and Bridgton Hospital. https://bridgtonmaine.org

Press Inquiries: Diana Nelson, Black Fly Media, diana@blackflymedia.com 978.985.9993

Highland Lake Beach Testing

** MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT **

Highland Lake Beach Testing
Town of Bridgton
Wednesday, August 1st,

This morning we received the test results for the water at Highland Lake Beach. The testing found that the water’s e.coliform count was well below the acceptable limit and Highland Lake Beach will be reopening.

We were made aware of this issue by our routine water testing and we will continue to monitor our public beaches on a regular basis till Labor Day to keep them safe for public use.

We will be opening Highland Lake Beach for swimming immediately.

Highland Lake Beach Closing

Highland Lake Beach Closing
Town of Bridgton
Friday August 10, 2018

Testing performed on 8/09 has indicated an e.coliform count above the acceptable limit at Highland Lake Beach. We will be closing Highland Lake Beach immediately to swimming. Highland Lake Beach will remain open for picnicking and the boat launch will also stay open. The Town will send out samples to be tested  on Monday and will post the results of the testing once we receive them.

Highland Lake Beach Testing

** MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT **

Highland Lake Beach Testing
Town of Bridgton
Wednesday, August 1st, 

This morning we received the test results from the Paris Utility District for the water at Highland Lake Beach. The testing found that the water’s e.coliform count was well below the acceptable limit and Highland Lake Beach will be reopening.

We were made aware of this issue by our routine water testing and we will continue to monitor our public beaches on a regular basis till Labor Day to keep them safe for public use.

We will be opening Highland Lake Beach for swimming immediately.

Highland Lake Beach Closing

Highland Lake Beach Closing
Town of Bridgton
Tuesday, July 31st,

Testing performed on 7/30 has indicated an e.coliform count above the acceptable limit at Highland Lake Beach. We will be closing Highland Lake Beach immediately to swimming and will be moving the swimming lessons that are normally held at Highland Lake Beach to Salmon Point. Highland Lake Beach will remain open for picnicking and the boat launch will also stay open. The Town sent out samples to be tested today and will post the results of the testing once we receive them. An update will be posted on Facebook and our website by the end of the day tomorrow.

As of now, the cause of the high e.coliform count remains unknown but local fowl and low water levels may have played a role.

Woods Pond Beach Investigation Results

** MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT **

Woods Pond Investigation Results
Town of Bridgton
Monday, July 23,

According to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus was found in two human stool specimens submitted for testing which confirms that this was a Norovirus outbreak. As of 7/19/18, epidemiologists have identified 97 people who reported being ill and were associated with this outbreak.

The CDC’s epidemiological investigation found that people who put their heads under the water while swimming or swallowed water while swimming were at greater risk for infection. Of note, there were several people who were not at the beach who became ill after caring for someone who was ill.

According to the CDC,

Norovirus is very contagious and spreads easily from person to person. It is common in Maine and throughout the U.S.

  • Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping.  Symptoms generally start 24-48 hours after swallowing the virus, though it can appear earlier than that. Illness is usually not serious though people can feel very sick.  Most people get better within 1-2 days.
  • There is no treatment.  If you feel unwell, consulting with your medical provider is recommended.
  • You can decrease your chance of getting ill by washing your hands often with soap and water, carefully washing fruits and vegetables, and thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces.”

A Norovirus Fact Sheet from the Maine CDC can be found at: https://bridgtonmaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Norovirus_FS_2017.pdf