2000 Annual Report |
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Welcome |
The Annual Report for the year 2000 is dedicated to Dwight Taylor, a resident of Oakland since 1918. During a recent interview, Mr. Taylor, a spry 91 years young, recalled moving to Oakland when it was a "boom town". With two (2) woolen mills and four (4) different axe or tool handle factories, there was plenty of work for everyone who was willing. Mr. Taylor was not only willing, but also required to work because of his father's illness. Soon after graduation from high school, he became the sole means of support for his mother and five sisters. Also at that time, one could take the electric trolley car to Waterville (for 14 cents!) and the Oakland railroad station was an important hub in the regions transportation system. Dwight answered his country's call to duty in 1942 and served in the 1st Army, in an anti-aircraft division, which was attached to the 3rd Armored Division. He reported that his division was not only anti-aircraft but also "anti-anything" that had to do with Hitler. Dwight served as District Commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in 1965 - 66. He led the Memorial Day parade for the State Convention which was held in Waterville that year. Mr. Taylor served a stint on the Oakland Town Council in 1946 - 48 acting as chairman for part of his term. At that time, the Town Office was located in the basement of Memorial Hall and the Town Manager was actually capable of operating the town road grader! Perhaps, Dwight's most significant public service has been his dedication to placing flags on veteran's graves in Lewis Cemetery every Memorial Day. He has been doing this without fail for 15 - 20 years. He will continue to do so as long as he is physically capable, which seems like a long time from now! His volunteer spirit and community mindedness is a wonderful example for all of us to admire. It is for these reasons of dedication to duty and community spirit that we dedicate this Annual Report to Mr. Taylor.
To the Town Council and Citizens of Oakland: In last years report, I noted that "we are well positioned to handle an economic downturn should that occur in the near future". It seems that the near future is here. While the media appears to focus more on the negatives in our economy, I do not believe we are, in or even headed to, a recession. We must continue, however, to be mindful of our financial strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, we have a healthy fund balance (surplus) in addition to a reserve fund for capital improvements. The town's equipment is in very good shape, and our buildings seem adequate for the foreseeable future. Without exception, you have department heads (e.g., fire, police, public works, etc.) who are conscious of how spending affects everyone's pocketbook. On the other side of the coin, are the pressures resulting from Oakland becoming a desirable place to live. Over time, residential growth becomes a financial drain on a community. Property taxes from residences cannot possible pay for all the municipal services that people demand. The keys for our financial security, therefore, are to diversify our tax base and to control and direct growth as much as possible for our own benefit. The FirstPark project is a good example of our work to expand our tax base. A related idea that I think the town should consider is the creation of an Industrial Park - an area designed for heavy commercial/industrial growth. In addition to diversifying our tax bases, jobs would be created and conflicts with residential uses minimized. I thank you for the honor and pleasure of having served as your Manager, and I look forward to working with each of you on the many challenges and opportunities facing our town. Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL J. ROY Town Manager
To the Citizens of Oakland: On behalf of the Town Council, I want to thank all of you for your continued support during the last year. I want you to know that your Councilors attend many meetings beyond our two regularly scheduled monthly meetings. Whether big or small, all of these relate to issues, which have an impact on our everyday lives. They include the following: FirstPark - New School Projects Downtown Improvement - DOT (Pond Road Repair) Library Renovation - Regional Economic Development E-911 - PUC (Water Rate Increase) The town has been very successful this past year with securing State and Federal Grants. These grants included: FirstPark
(State DECD) - $1,000,000 The Council wants to thank Town Manager Mike Roy, Peter Lyford of Kennebec Valley Council of Governments, and the Library Advisory Committee for their effort in helping the town obtain these grants. In addition, special thanks to the Library Advisory Committee which raised nearly $300,000 in additional funds. These grants and fundraising will allow making many improvements without raising the money from taxes. It has been a great team effort a something that we can all be proud of. I also take great pride in thanking each of our town employees, both the full and part timers, for the great job they have done all year. This also includes all the volunteers that work with the Recreation Department, the Fire/Rescue Department and any others that have assisted the town in some way over the past year. Last but not least a special thanks to my fellow council members, Dennis McLellan, J. Hobart Pierce, Jr., Byron Wrigley, Sr. and David Wooley for making this past year a successful and enjoyable year. Respectfully submitted, RALPH FARNHAM, JR. Town Council, Chairman The following is, in part, duties performed by this office. 2000 RESIDENT LICENSES Combination 379 2000 RECREATIONAL VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS Boats 675 2000 DOG LICENSES Males/Females 143 Respectfully submitted, JANICE E. PORTER Town Clerk
To the Town Council and Citizens of Oakland: This past year we had a relatively busy schedule and reviewed a number of subdivisions scattered around town, indicating continued growth and interest in Oakland. Board activities slowed down during the winter months but applications are again on the increase as better weather arrives. We look forward to more activity as FirstPark gets started this spring. We schedule our monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of each month and the public is welcome to attend. We continue a good working relationship with Bob Ellis, C.E.O., and Michael Roy, the Town Manager. Thanks to the Town Council and the Town Office staff for their support this past year. Currently we have full representation on the Board. If you are interested in applying for a seat, which will open up at some time in the future, please contact the Code Enforcement Officer. Respectfully submitted, DANIEL DUPERRY Oakland Planning Board, Chairman
To the Town Council and the Citizens of Oakland: In 2000, 24,529 items, including books, periodicals, vertical files, and audio cassettes were circulated from the Oakland Public Library. Approximately 880 new books were acquired last year to make a total count of 20,003 volumes. Additionally, 113 new patrons registered for library cards during 2000, making the library patron total amount to 4,147 clients (this figure may include renewals). Again this year, I would like to give an up-to-date status on the proposed library renovation/expansion project. The week of February 6, 2000 was momentous with the Town receiving a $100,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and a $30,000 donation from the Brook Family Foundation to put the library's renovation/expansion project campaign over the top!! A goal of $400,000 had been set two years ago and approximately $409,000 has now been realized. It should be noted that beginning July 1, 2000, fine, lost book, and copier money receipts were transferred to the Building Fund, due to Town Councilors agreement. From July 1, 2000 to December 30, 2000, $972.59 was added from these accounts. Fund-raising will continue, though, as additional funds will be needed for library furnishings and to meet increased costs. Library Advisory Board members Desiree Wrigley, Chairperson; Bette Sturtevant; Howard Hardy; Stephanie Cheevers; Stephen Knight; Jeanne Berger; Maurice Anderson; Mary Jo Grant; Sylvia Jadczak; Alison Gagliardi; and I thank all of you for your continued support. It is only through your support and efforts that the library project will come to reality. Planned major construction for the project is set to begin in the spring of 2002!! The Friends of the Library, under the leadership of Stephanie Cheevers, have continued to provide books on tape for the library. This past year, though, the proceeds that the group earned through their annual book sales was targeted for the Building Fund. The library currently has a total of 381 audiocassettes, which rapidly circulate. We thank the Friends for their hard work and generosity. Volunteers, Priscilla Jackson, Betty Marshall, Connie Anderson, and Dot Miner continue to gather every Thursday to help process new books. We thank these highly devoted individuals for their time and thoughtfulness. The library staff would also like to thank the many who support the library and help make it an active, viable segment of the community. This would include those who help with book donations, story times, service projects, and art and showcase displays, to name just a few. We appreciate all of your contributions. Last summer, 129 participated in the Summer Reading Club, "Pick Up the Beat, Stay On the Track," with 74 completing the requirement of reading 10 or more books to receive a free paperback book. Also, special "musical" programs held during the summer months included the ever-popular Judy Pancoast and her "Kidz at Heart" production (co-hosted with Winslow and Waterville Public libraries); the local "Blistered Fingers bluegrass group; and science teacher Eugene Roy's science activity based on "sound." Other summer library presentations were Maine author and personal friend Lynn Plourde; Judy Sample from Old Fort Western teaching 18th century classes; and Sue Esty from the Waterville Yardgoods Center with her rubber stamp art program. Also, the summer reading club culminated with the annual "Teddy Bear Picnic" with more than 50 youngsters and parents participating in the "musical" activities. Special thanks to Harry Vayo for his dulcimer demonstration and Kathy Harris Smedberg for her "special" readings at the party. The library thanks all of these presenters for their time and sharing of their talents. Back by popular demand, the Oakland Public Library with the Winslow Public Library co-hosted the "Let's Talk About It' book discussion program during the months of October and November. The program, sponsored by the Maine Humanities Council and the Maine State Library, focused on a "romantic" theme with four titles offered to the participants. It again proved very successful and the two libraries plan to offer a sequel to the program in the fall of 2001. In November of 2000, the library began its transition to the Athena Circulation program, similar to that used by the MSAD #47 school libraries. With the help of Karen Hall, MSAD #47 computer technician, and our own Assistant Librarian Chris Bragg, we were able to accomplish this changeover at a huge savings to the town and with minimal disruptions to daily functions. Time still needs to be spent on installing the cataloging part of the system.' In closing, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the Town Council, Town Manager, and Town Office staff, other Department personnel, and my assistants Christine Bragg and Beverly Wescott for their cooperation and help in providing the best library services available to the residents of Oakland. We look forward to serving you. Library Hours: Labor Day - Memorial Day Tuesday 10-8, Wednesday 2-5, Thursday 2-5, Friday 10-5 Saturday 10-1 Memorial Day - Labor Day Tuesday 10-8, Wednesday 2-5, Thursday 2-8, Friday 10-4. Preschool story time is held Friday mornings at 10:30 AM throughout the year. Respectfully submitted, CAROL A. COOLEY Librarian
AND HEALTH OFFICER To the Town Council and the Citizens of Oakland: I don't know where the time went, but I am now completing my 21st month on the job. I have gained state certification in all seven (7) areas of my responsibility as C.E.O. and continue to earn workshop re-certification points. This is and has been a one-man office since I arrived at Town Hall, along with all the help I receive from the office staff. During the year 2000, this office issued a total of 198 permits, including new homes, septic systems, internal plumbing, renovations, additions and a complete variety of all requisite permits for shoreland construction. This year, 2001, has started out at a much faster pace for permitting than last year and it looks like it will be quite a busy year. During the year 2000, we received funding from D.E.P. for six (6) new septic systems for people who needed systems replaced in our shoreland areas. We will receive funding again this year from D.E.P., and at this time, we have three (3) applicants. If you are having problems with your existing septic system, it is not too late to apply for assistance for this year. With FirstPark infrastructure construction starting up this spring and building construction to follow at some point, it looks like the next few years will be a continuing expansion of Oakland, along with the Library expansion and the Downtown revitalization project. This has been another slow year for the Board of Appeals but thanks to chairman Rob Bartlett and the board members for their continuing perseverance and expertise. Thanks to Dan Duperry and the rest of the Planning Board for their hard work and the knowledge they have of the Town of Oakland and how to apply the rules and ordinances required, staying within the legal boundaries of sub-divisions and approvals. I really am enjoying my duties as C.E.O. of Oakland and look forward to a long tenure in this office. Thanks to Mike Roy for his help and co-operation and to the Town Council for their support and leadership. A special thanks to all of the ladies on the office staff who really run this town and without whose assistance, I probably would have a great deal of difficulty performing my job. Respectfully submitted, ROBERT L. ELLIS Code Enforcement Officer L.P.I. #0715 Health
Officer
To the Town Council and Citizens of Oakland: The Wastewater Treatment Plant had another outstanding year in 2000. We continued to discharge some of the best effluent in the State, preventing the Messalonskee Stream from blooming for the sixth straight year. We have learned how to reduce phosphorous though chemical addition and process control that some people thought were impossible. We have also continued to make improvements to our sewer system. Last summer, we replaced old private lines with new mains in Maple and Grove Street. This will give us access to the mains, and solve a lot of problems for the people who live in the area. One major project this summer is to separate cellar and foundation drains from the sewer lines on one third of Oak Hill Drive. We plan to continue this effort for the next two summers until the street is completely done. I would like to thank Mike Roy, the Town Manager, members of the Town Council and especially Bill Wood, my assistant, for their dedication toward the protecting and preserving our environmental resources. Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL BOLDUC Treatment Plant Superintendent
To the Town Council and Citizens of Oakland: The year 2000 was an interesting one for the Oakland Police Department. In the new age of Law Enforcement, we are now asked to provide different types of services to our growing community. One area we have been asked to address is the area of School Resource Officers. This agency was awarded over $222,000 for two school resource officers. After a very intense process Officer Dusty Woodside (26 year Veteran) and Captain Michael Tracy (20 year Veteran) were chosen to work with our schools. Both Officers have put their hearts and souls into this new program, working with the several thousand students, teachers and parents in this district. Another area we were asked to provide services for was a boat patrol. Messalonskee Lake Association purchased a boat for this agency, in the hopes of providing education regarding boating laws. It has been a trial period with our agency working closely with area Maine State Game Warden Terry Hughes. We will be continuing to train with Warden Hughes to make this a worthwhile program for all residents and visitors. (Our intent is to maintain a safe recreational place for people to spend their summer)- whether it be on the lake, at camp or at our swim area. During the year, we had several promotions. Cpl. Alden Weigelt was promoted to Sergeant. He is in charge of the patrol unit and Field Training Officer Program. Reserve Officers Gary Bowman and Dawn Ego were promoted to the rank of Full Time Patrol officers. We have also made several improvements to our facility. A new office, a mini gym and booking room have all been created. A special thanks to all those officers who donated their time, for these much needed improvements. I also want to recognize Officer Gary Bowman, Captain Tracy, Town Maintenance guru A.J. Cain, Senior Students David Duguay and Chris Smith from Messalonskee High School for their contribution to this project. Without their help, this would not have been possible. Officers here have also been very busy with the Learning for Life Program, the Citizens Police Academy, and Senior Citizen Triad. Many of them also coach sports chaperone school events and are very much involved in the community. These officers donate hundreds of hours to their community! As a police agency, we also have given away hundreds of gun locks and bike helmets, during the past year. Our clearance rate for all criminal offenses for 2000 was 55.1% up from 51.5% in 1999. During 2000 the Oakland Police Department received a total of 328 criminal cases that required investigation compared to 299 for the prior year. The following is a summary of the 2000 year criminal cases compared to 1999 and 1998. 2000 CRIMINAL CASES
In 2000, 221 check cases were turned over to the Oakland Police Department by local businesses and citizens. The total monetary value of these checks was $8,528.97. We have been able to clear 50% of these cases and recover $4,290.79 in money. Our officers completed over 12,000 business checks and 1,100 vacant property checks while people were away on vacation or trips. The department investigated 120 reportable motor vehicle accidents and 121 non-reportable motor vehicle accidents. Of the 120 that were reportable, 22 resulted in personal injury with one a fatality.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all the town departments for their team effort in helping this town operate the way it does. To the animal control officers, thanks for doing a thankless job! To Kathy Paradis thanks for being our DARE Coordinator and all around fill in person. I want to say a special thanks to Kathy Gray, for her dedication to this department. Your help this past year has been outstanding. You do all that is asked of and more. Lastly, To Captain Tracy and all of the officers here a sincere thank you for all you do. It is impossible to write in these few lines how proud I am of the people here. To the citizens of Oakland, thanks for one more year of support. The officers have worked hard to make the streets of Oakland a little safer for you and your families. Remember that we can not do it alone. Please stay involved with your community and with your Police Department. With your help we can do it. Respectfully submitted, KEVIN T. O'LEARY Chief of Police To the Town Council and Citizens of Oakland: The Spring 2000 season started with the clean up of winter sand and our new annual spring clean up week. We then moved to Oak Street installing 1800 feet of new sidewalk and adding and replacing catch basins from the high school to Oak Hill Drive. Our next project was Pleasant Point where we moved approximately 10,000 yards of material to build a ball field and parking area. We then went to the Transfer Station to build a one-acre cell for demo debris site. Finally, stock piling 6,000 yards of winter sand. Regarding paving work, we paved the following: Final
Coat Pine Acres Maple Street The
following is a list of the public works crew: I would like to thank Town Manager Mike Roy, for all of his help and support. I would also like to thank Fire Chief Charles Pullen and Police Chief Kevin O'Leary for their assistance throughout the year as well as all of the Town Office Staff, Town Council and the citizens of Oakland. I would like to give special thanks to the Public Works Crew for their hard work and dedication. Respectfully submitted, JEFFERY HIGGINS Public Work Director OAKLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT To the Town Council and citizens of Oakland: Believe it or not we are still talking about the great "ice storm" of 1998. This past year we applied for and received an ice storm grant from the Maine Forest Service in the form of equipment for $7,400. This equipment had to be the type used for fighting forest fires. We received 12 back pumps, 1,000 feet of forestry hose, a portable pump, and many hand tools. This year we also purchased new turn out gear for all members. We have been three years saving money for this project. It was something that was badly needed as most of the old gear was at least 15 years old and did not meet the latest N.F.P.A. standards. As always I would like to thank the Ladies Auxiliary for their support this past year. Their help behind the scenes is not always known by the general public but is always greatly appreciated by this department. Also, thanks to Police Chief O'Leary, Public Works Director Jeff Higgins, and Building Maintenance Supervisor A.J. Cain for their assistance through out the year. I would like to give a special thanks to the Oakland Fireman's Association for their continuing support. This past year they have used money raised from projects such as the chicken BBQ to purchase rechargeable hand held lights for all of our trucks that didn't have them. This project cost them approximately $1,000. I would like to also thank all of you that support us with our fund raising projects. It is our goal to have at least one working smoke detector in your home. REMEMBER, SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES. If you don't have one or if you removed the batteries from yours, please take the necessary steps to remedy the situation. If you cannot afford one, call us. We will see that you get one. The following is a summary of all calls handled by this department for the last year.
This year has seen some changes in leadership roles. Ralph Farnham Sr. has stepped down as 1st assistant chief. A role that he has performed with the utmost of proficiency for many years. He will still stay on as a member of this department and I will be able to draw on his knowledge from time to time as I have done for the past 19 years. I would like to take this opportunity to thank assistant Chief Farnham for all his assistance in running this department over the years. With the exception of myself, The Oakland Fire Department has no full time employees. This past year this department was called on 470 times to handle fire and rescue emergency calls. This required people either leaving their place of work, their weekend pleasure time, their beds at night, their holiday meals, or what ever they were doing at the time these emergency calls occurred. There have been times when members were called out up to four times during a single night. This takes a tremendous amount of dedication and giving by both the member and their spouses. I would like to take this time to recognize each member by their number of years of service. Kim
Pendleton 2 years It is the untiring dedication of these people that make your fire department second to none. The following is a list of all Oakland Fire Department Officers: Chief
- Charles E. Pullen Please feel free to contact any of these people if you have any concerns or questions regarding fire or rescue service. Respectfully Submitted Charles E. Pullen Fire Chief RECYCLING CENTER REPORT To the Town Council and Citizens of Oakland: Last year was another busy year at the Transfer Station and some changes were made in the operations. In the middle of the summer we had to have our wood burning ash piles removed. Piles tested by the State D.E.P. and this test came up high in lead. We had to have some of the ash sent out of State and the rest of the ash went to Waste Management in Norridgewock for a total cost of around $25,000. Now the only wood we can burn is clean wood containing no nails or paint and no pressured treated wood. We also can burn brush. All other wood debris is now going to be ground up and shipped out of the Transfer Station. We now have a disposal fee on demo wood and bulky waste along with the fees on white goods and tires. Also, no loads of demo, bulky waste or clean wood or brush will be accepted in a load bigger than a one-ton truck. We had a new garage built this summer for more storage of recyclables and to put our new recycling truck, which we got in October. The Town of Winslow and the City of Waterville again hauled in over 7500 tons of M.S.W. for revenues of over one hundred thousand dollars. I do not like to say it, but like the rest of the state, our recycling is down some from last year. Still, for each ton we recycle, we save around $65 a ton in disposal fees. The 2000 numbers for recycling rate has been sent into the State and our recycling rate has been determined to be 35.5% which meets the State's recommended 35% level. This
year's numbers are as follows: I would like to thank my crew Bob Ahlgren, Dick Pierce, Roger Grevois and Jeff and his public works crew for all their help this past year. I also would like to thank the Town Manager, Mike Roy and the Town Council for their support of this operation. Please remember the recycling motto, REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE Respectfully submitted, VAUGHN FARNHAM Transfer Station Manager
To the Town Council and Citizens of Oakland: We, the members of the Oakland Sno-Goers Club, would like to take this Opportunity to thank the landowners for giving us permission to use your land for our snowmobile trails. We do thank you very much.
The club now owns four drag sleds and drags 41 miles of Trails (one way) in the town so I would like to thank the town for giving us the money they receive from the state (a portion of snowmobile registrations) because it is very costly to maintain four drag sleds and try to keep 41 miles of trail smooth and safe. Safety is our main objective.
It has been a fairly good winter for us this year although we didn't get riding until January. We have had plenty of snow to groom with and also had some very dedicated volunteer members that spent countless hours doing their very best to maintain the trails. I would like to give a very special thanks to all the people that helped keep the trails in such good condition.
We would like to invite you to join the Oakland Sno-Goers Club and support your sport. We are doing our very best to keep the trails as smooth and safe as possible. It is all Volunteer work. For more information please feel free to call me at 465-9836. Please remember to "TREAD LIGHTLY" Respectfully Submitted, Dan Swett President, Oakland Sno-Goers Club
To: Town Council and the Citizens of Oakland: The 2000 - 2001 Fiscal Year has been a very busy year for the Assessing Office. The real estate market has been stable with properties continuing to sell, split, or otherwise change hands. New construction and improvements to existing properties have also continued throughout the year. The process of reviewing the property record cards and inspecting a quarter of the properties in town as described in state law Title 36 M.R.S.A. Section 328 (7) is continuing. The opportunity to review this information with the property owner is important. It allows me to explain to them what their property tax is based on, correct any errors, answer any questions that may arise, listen to their concerns, and provide information on various tax exempt programs currently offered by the State of Maine. The Homestead Exemption is in its third year of implementation and continues to provide direct relief to property taxpayers. While the State of Maine provides funding for the program, it is implemented through the assessing office. This year one thousand five hundred and ninety-four (1594) households took advantage of the Homestead Exemption, thus saving themselves $128.10 in tax dollars. Further application for the Homestead Exemption is not needed for next year unless there has been a change in your residency, you did not apply last year, or you are a new Oakland homeowner. The State of Maine reimbursed the Town of Oakland $203,270.91 for this program. Any taxpayer that owns a business may be eligible for Maine's Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement Program (BETR) on eligible personal property placed into service after April 1, 1995. This program is to encourage new capital investment in Maine by reimbursing business owners who invest in new equipment. There were 130 Oakland businesses eligible to receive more than $48,000 in personal property tax reimbursement from the State. The latest real estate sales ratio analysis conducted by the Bureau of Revenue Services show that Oakland is at 100% of market value and the assessment quality rating is 8%. Both numbers are good indicators that the 1996 revaluation remains strong and equitable. As of this writing, 19 abatements have been issued during the year amounting to $4,635.39. There has also been 1 Supplemental Assessments committed to the Tax Collector amounting to $122.61. The Board of Assessment Review met only once this year to review a property valuation appeal. The Board's decision was to uphold the 2000 -2001 assessed value. Please note that all Assessing records are public information and that if you have any questions or concerns, no matter how large or small regarding valuation, exemptions, land transfers, etc., please do not hesitate to contact me. All of Oakland's real estate valuations are on Oakland's web page. Log on at www.oaklandmaine.com for complete listing. The Assessing office is now sending a "Welcoming Letter" to all new residents. The informational packet includes an application for the Homestead Exemption, a Valuation Report for the property, reference telephone numbers and meeting schedules for the various Town departments, curbside recycling brochure, and a Homeowners Guide to Property Tax. My sincere thanks to the Town Council and Town Manager for their support and cooperation over the past year. A special "thank you" to Ginny Joseph for her assistance and knowledge, which are invaluable. It has been my pleasure to serve another year as Oakland's Tax Assessor. Respectfully submitted, Kathleen R. Martin, C.M.A. Assessor of Oakland To the Town Council and the Citizens of Oakland: It is with great pleasure I submit to you our 2000 report. The year proved to be a busy one, balancing the responsibilities of maintaining an active programming schedule with the demands of the continuing development of our municipal recreation areas. Without question, the recreation highlight for 2000 was the Town's purchase of the former Pleasant Point Campground on McGrath Pond. The transformation from commercial campground to municipal park began in the fall with considerable site work being accomplished before winter. Plans are to resume work this spring and once complete, the complex will include a multi-purpose ball field, swim area, carry-in boat launch, picnic and playground area, and walking trails. A significant feature of the development of Pleasant Point Park is the fact that the majority of the work is being performed by our very talented Public Works crew, saving the Town thousands and thousands of dollars. The Town also received a $25,000 development grant, further reducing the costs to the taxpayer. Another site that received some "recreational attention" this fall was the town-owned property across from the Transfer Station on the Town Farm Road. Known locally as the "Town Farm Property", this parcel is very unique in the sense it will be managed as a working forest / recreation area. Monies received from the Ice Storm Recovering Grant Program have been used not only for repairing tree damage caused by the 1998 Ice Storm, but the creation of nearly 4000 feet of walking trails as well! This summer, we hope to enlist the help of the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance to further the efforts at this location. I for one am very excited about both of these areas and would encourage each and everyone of you to visit them. Once completed, I know we will be very proud as a community. Each year there are so many people to thank for the successes we enjoy. From the parents to the children to the many caring volunteers, it truly takes everyone to make it work. I urge you to get involved in the community in some capacity and make a real difference! Thanks as well to the Town employees, SAD #47, Oakland Parks and Recreation Board, and the Oakland Town Council. Each in their own special way contributes greatly to the recreation department. Finally, I would like to say thank you to Mike Roy, our Town Manager. Many of the successes that this community enjoyed in 2000 can be directly attributed to his tireless efforts. Respectfully submitted, ERIC SEEKINS Recreation Director
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