By Lisa Williams Ackley

Staff Writer

The Bridgton Board of Selectmen voted last week to include a request from the Bridgton Community Development Committee to consider funding the Shorey Park Development Project.

However, in making his motion to do so Feb. 14, Selectman Paul Hoyt clarified that he was doing it “to discuss at budget time,” when the selectmen sit down to hammer out the final budget requests. No guarantees were made, as it was pointed out the CDC’s request for Shorey Park will have to pass muster before the Budget Advisory Committee and the selectmen as all other requests for town funds must do.

Set to be carried out in phases, the CDC is requesting a total of between $80,000 and $100,000 for the Shorey Park work, to be allocated in annual allotted amounts ranging from $20,000 to $30,000 over four to five years.

CDC member Dee Miller told the selectmen the committee is looking into setting up a nonprofit foundation to assist with the funding, as well as possibly participating in the Community Development Block Grant program the town is already a part of — and perhaps some Moose Pond Trust Fund monies could be made available for the project, as well, Miller said.

Miller went on to say the CDC would like to have the Shorey Park project included as part of the Bridgton Public Works Department’s annual budget. CDC member Mike Tarantino stated that Public Works Director Jim Kidder had not seen the Committee’s proposal prior to it being presented to the selectmen on Feb. 14.

Budget Advisory Committee member Dave MacFarland directly asked CDC member Lucia Terry, “Is it an environmental concern, or a financial concern?”

Terry replied, “My concern is always environmental — and the easy part of the project, the first most necessary thing, is to stabilize (it).”

Bridgton Board of Selectmen Arthur Triglione Sr. asked Terry and Miller, “What are you looking for from the board this evening?”

“Mostly, just really to get these words and these thoughts out to the community,” said Terry. “As far as funding — perhaps to look into funding.”

Miller said, “I think our original thought was, that because this is a town park, funds that go to the Public Works Department could start to be earmarked (for Shorey Park). They’ve (the PWD) done a marvelous job (at the Park), but you can’t overcome Mother Nature. We would request money — if there is money — to work on drainage.”

“That would make a start,” said Terry.

“We think of it as a Public Works project — as just another step,” Miller stated.

Selectman Bernie King said he had attended the previous night’s (Feb. 13) Budget Advisory Committee meeting where Public Works Director Kidder had presented his proposed departmental budget.

“Jim’s whole emphasis was (on) paving roads and how very important that is to the community,” said Selectman King.

“I’m going to be blunt,” Miller replied. “We don’t want to take from Public Works — we just want more (money), so Public Works can do more. We’re trying to get some soul into the budget that will help the community.”

Out to bid

Selectman Hoyt made it clear that he expects a request for proposals, or bids, will be sought from several planners and designers, and not just from Perennial Point of View owner, Lucia Terry, who is among those on the CDC proposing the expansion work be done at Shorey Park.

Hoyt questioned Terry about the monies that would be spent over the four to five years the project would take to be completed as envisioned by the CDC.

Hoyt asked Terry, “(These yearly amounts of) $30,000, $25,000, $20,000, etc. — is it for volunteers or a business to do the work?…I’ll bottom line this — I know this (type of work) is your business — this would have to go through the bid process — so, is this (money) for material and volunteer labor?”

“This is bought and paid for,” Terry replied. “It’s labor and product — time and materials — it would not go toward designing and planning.”

Hoyt asked Terry, “Do you see where I’m going with this? I think something needs to be decided upon and put in the motion (Hoyt made) on how the funds are allocated.”