By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Boating is a great way to break away from isolation forced by the pandemic and enjoy the beauty nature has to offer.

But, some people are behaving badly.

In recent weeks, Lakes Environmental Association has received “multiple” reports of shorefront landowners finding human feces in the water of Long Lake, as well as boaters and other recreationalists defecating on private property along the shore.

“Our staff have also seen this issue first hand. Because boating and lake recreation is relatively safe activities right now, more people appear to be out on the water and the problem seems to be getting worse,” wrote Colin Holme, LEA’s executive director, in a letter to the Bridgton Selectboard.

With many businesses closing bathroom facilities in wake of COVID-19, Holme proposed that towns surrounding Long Lake place porta-potties at town launch sites — Powerhouse Road in Bridgton — to help reduce “the severity of this problem, protect water quality and help reduce the spread of disease.”

Harrison Town Manager Tim Pellerin said the request to place porta-potty facilities at the boat launch area at the head of Long Lake and Zakelo Beach will be discussed tonight by the selectboard.

“While new structures (even if they are temporary) within 100 feet of the water are generally prohibited under Shoreland Zoning, a bathroom on town-owned land is for the greater good of the community and it seems unlikely the Maine Department of Environmental Protection would have any objections,” Holme added.

Town Manager Bob Peabody said the Powerhouse Road launch area is state property, so the request will be forwarded to Augusta.

“I don’t know what is wrong with people,” Peabody said. “We have such a gift here with our lakes. To abuse them, I don’t understand it.”

Peabody says town staff face similar poor behavior at local beaches.

“It’s just awful what some people do,” he said. “They have spread feces on the bathroom walls or relieved themselves on the side of the toilet.”

On a positive note, Peabody said local beaches have tested well over the summer. There was one “spike” at Salmon Point Beach (at the point), but the number dropped from 435 to 26 the next day. If there is a bad test score, a second test is taken the next day. If a third test indicates continued high bacteria levels, the beach is closed.

In other business:

Police Chief named. Phil Jones was unanimously confirmed Tuesday as the town new Chief of Police.

“I look forward to working with Phil. He’s been a great police officer and my expectation he will be a great chief,” Peabody said.

Jones took command of the BPD at 6:30 a.m. yesterday.

Peabody said an interview committee included Yarmouth’s police chief, who was recommended by former BPD Chief Rick Stillman. When the town hired Stillman, the county sheriff served on the interview committee, bringing a law enforcement perspective to the process, Peabody said. The selectboard also interviewed Jones in executive session as part of the confirmation process.

Pay your share. Bridgton is willing to pay its “fair share” to repair the Moose Pond dam in Denmark, but local officials expect Sweden to do the same.

Bridgton and Denmark will chip in $80,000 each with Sweden expected to cover $10,000. Denmark Town Manager Bert Kendall will draft a letter to be sent to Sweden selectmen, and if need be, both Kendall and Peabody would attend a future Sweden board meeting.

Peabody says the $80,000 will be taken from the Capital Improvement budget.

Speeding complaint. Highland Road residents petitioned the Selectboard to seek measures to slow down traffic.

In a letter, Jim Cossey said motorcycles and vehicles often travel “well in excess of the posted 35 mph speed limit” on the straightaway of the upper portion of Highland Road.

“Not only is this speeding noisy, but also it represents a danger to the residents of this area,” he wrote. “Enforcement of the speed limit here is infrequent and as such does not deter speeders.”

Residents asked that “appropriate speed control devices including one or more 30 mph speed tables (removable for the winter season) and/or two or more solar-powered speed display signs be used. Additional law enforcement presence should also be considered, he said.

The issue was referred to the Police Department for review and development of a plan to address the problem.

More outside dining. Officials approved a request by Vivo Italian Kitchen owner Christian Cuff to extend closure of Depot Street to enable outside dining for an additional 30 days. Community Development Director Linda Lacroix planned to reach out to Downeast Industries to be sure officials there had no issue with the extension.

Backhoe purchase. Public Works will add a 2018 John Deere backhoe to its equipment fleet. The Selectboard approved the purchase of the backhoe, that is just two years old with 440 hours of use.

Public Service Director David Madsen told the selectboard that the warranty (five years or 5,000 hours) is still in effect — feeling the town will likely reach the five years before the 5,000 mark. The town also purchased an 8-foot sweeper and 11-foot snowplow for a total of $107,000.

Because the town was able to secure a “good” interest rate, the equipment will be paid off in four years vs. five.

Streetscape update. For the most part, the streetscape project is about wrapped up, other than a few minor details.

On Lower Main, Bridgton Water District work is nearly completed. Peabody said the next step will be work on the roadway followed by the sidewalks. There will be concrete sidewalks and light fixtures as far as Kansas Road.

Bank sponsors rec soccer. If Bridgton Rec is able to offer youth soccer this fall, it hopes to do it at no charge.

It appears Norway Savings Bank will help make it happen. The bank made a $3,000 contribution to help pay for uniforms, balls, coaches’ equipment, safety equipment and sanitary items.

“With six out of 10 children on free or reduced breakfast/lunch program, we feel more than ever with the help of Norway Savings Bank families will not have to worry about another bill to pay for and our community’s children will have an opportunity to be sociable, active and with their friends during a very difficult time,” Bridgton Rec Director Gary Colello said.