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November 1, 2018 NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID Your Community Paper GORHAM, ME PERMIT NO. 10 Volume 24 Number 21 | November 1, 2018 A Not-for-Profit Newspaper Serving Gorham Since 1995 Every Vote Town Strategizes to Reduce Energy Costs JOHN ERSEK much as possible, in order to lessen On those hottest days of summer, Contributing Writer the risk of brownouts and to avoid the the Town’s efforts to reduce energy Counts need for building additional power usage are directed by Facilities and Now that summer has ended and plants. Transportation Director Norman the weather has cooled down, the Larger electrical customers have a Justice. When a heat wave is imminent, coldest months of the year are quickly significant annual “capacity charge” Justice begins monitoring the situation approaching. At this time of year, many based on their electrical usage dur- more closely. Justice tracks regional Gorham residents are thinking of ways ing that one hour of peak demand. power demand through several web to reduce their energy usage and costs, Because of that, many larger customers, services, and when he believes New and taking steps to implement those like the Town of Gorham, strategize England’s power usage is about to ideas. The Town of Gorham (includ- about how to drastically reduce or peak, he has the authority to order ing the Gorham School Department) is eliminate power usage during that key almost all town-owned buildings to also aware of the importance of reduc- one-hour period. The Town of Gorham either close or switch to generator ing year-round energy costs, which actually purchases its electricity from power. This is what Justice did on LAURIE NORDFORS includes reducing the money paid Constellation NewEnergy; the contract August 29 when he closed the town Town Clerk year-round for electricity from the New is negotiated through a consortium offices and library early. Tuesday, November 6, is Election England power grid. known as Maine Power Options. Justice estimates that these actions on Day. Get out and VOTE. On the local As it turns out, some of the most The peak day for regional electric- August 29 (similar to what was done in ballot there are two seats open for important things that the town govern- ity usage always occurs during the previous years) could save the Gorham Town Council and two seats open for ment does to reduce electricity costs summer months, usually in July or School District as much as $86,000 dur- School Board. There is also a local ref- take place during the hottest days of August, due to high demand for air ing the next electricity rate period, from erendum question. On the State Ballot summer. That is because ISO-New conditioning. Usually the regional peak July 2019 through June 2020. we are voting for Governor, US Senate, England calculates the electricity rates electricity day is the hottest day of the During the winter months, the town US Representatives, Sheriff, and Judge for all large and medium size custom- year, or one or two days later. In 2017, takes different steps to save energy of Probate along with five referendum ers according to their electricity usage the peak day occurred in June. This in its buildings. As a general rule, the questions. during ISO-New England’s highest year’s regional peak day was August 29 thermostat in all town-owned buildings To view sample ballots, go to www. usage hour on the peak day for electric- between 5-6 p.m. This coincided with is lowered to 60 degrees overnight, on gorham-me.us and click on “How do I” ity usage of the entire year. The pur- a day when school was in session in weekends, and during vacation weeks, then “Elections & Voting Information” pose of ISO-New England having this Gorham, one of the first times that has unless the building is occupied over- then “Upcoming Elections.” rate policy is to lower peak demand as occurred. night. Polling places in Gorham are: Ward 1-1 at Gorham Middle School, Ward 1-2 at Little Falls Activity Center and Ward 2 at Shaw Gym. If you are Gorham Companies Recognize Need for unaware of where to vote, call the Town Clerk’s office at 222-1670. You can still register to vote in person at the Clerk’s office through Skilled Manufacturing Workers November 5 and at the polls on Election Day. Please bring photo ID GORHAM TIMES STAFF for identification and something with your Gorham address on it for proof of As part of Maine Manufacturing residency. Month in October, a yearly event where hundreds of Maine manufac- turers open their doors to students and anyone interested in learning Gorham Sightings about the industry’s high-tech and high paying jobs, several Gorham businesses hosted students from area high schools. Helical Solutions, Montalvo Corporation, Jotul NA and Irwin Tools all welcomed students to tour their facilities and learn about the manufacturing process. Thousands of students toured companies across the state. In its sixth year, the events have allowed more than 6,800 students the opportunity to get an up-close look at what “new” manufacturing offers; high-paying careers in high tech Photo courtesy of Dianna Fletcher Photo credit Stacy Sallinen industries such as aerospace, avia- Adam Martin of Helical Solutions in Gorham recently hosted students from Portland Arts and tion, defense and precision manu- Do you know where in Gorham this photo Technology High School (PATHS). facturing. was taken? Join our visual trivia discus- “The reality is there is a mas- sion by entering your best guess on our sive talent shortage in manufactur- Association of Maine. “As an asso- can’t fill their jobs that require Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ ing,” said Lisa G. Martin, Executive ciation which represents 300 manu- skilled labor. We are doing all we gorhamtimes or email us at gorhamtimes@ Director of the Manufacturers facturers, 70% of our members can to help these employers fill gmail.com. Many readers correctly guessed critical jobs by connecting employ- the location in the September 20 issue as ers with new applicants through one of the stone arches of the old railroad our website. There are 1800 manu- bridge on the Mountain Division Line where inside Times the facturers in Maine facing this same it passes over Wescott Brook in White 4 Living 14 Community 10 Sports 15 Classified challenge.” Rock. Thank you to reader Jo Morton for Municipal School Calendar Blotter contributing the photo. 5 8 15 15 CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 NEWS FROM AUGUSTA Policy on News from Augusta: The Gorham Times asked our three state legislators from Senate District 30, House District 26 and House District 27 to provide us with “News from Augusta.” We publish their articles on a rotating basis. The submissions are devoted to updates of legislative and administrative news, ­­BRINGING THE NEWS TO All OF GORHAM proposed and passed bills and laws, and developments and events that are of interest and have an impact to Gorham residents. The Gorham Times reserves PO Box 401 the right to edit the submissions and it further reserves the right to reject any submission, in its sole discretion. Gorham, Maine 04038 Phone and Fax: (207) 839-8390 [email protected] www.gorhamtimes.com Exercise Your Right to Vote —— The Gorham Times is a free volunteer-run REP. MAUREEN “MO” TERRY Maine will be are on the ballot this run by those who show up. Make community newspaper distributed every other year and so much is at stake. sure you’re one of them. When you Thursday to more than 100 pick-up sites Well, it’s November and we’re throughout Gorham. From access to affordable health choose to be a voter, you are taking —— just days away from the midterm care and prescription medicines to ownership of what kind of commu- News [email protected] elections. Barring certain excep- a fair tax code for working families nity, state and country you want to Sports [email protected] tions, today, Nov. 1 is the last day that’s not a giveaway to powerful cor- live in. Features [email protected] to request an absentee ballot or cast porations and billionaires; Medicare This month, you can be part of Of Interest [email protected] your vote early at the town hall. Calendar item [email protected] and Social Security; property tax making it absolutely clear that we are Advertising gorhamtimesadvertising@ Maine has a long tradition of show- relief; the survival of our rural hos- people who stand up for each other gmail.com or 839-8390 ing up to vote, and we have one of pitals; adequately funding educa- and look out for neighbors when School News [email protected] the top voting rates in the nation. tion; rebuilding crumbling roads times get tough. I hope you’ll join me —— I hope you’ll join me and Mainers and bridges; the right for workers to on November 6 as we choose togeth- SUBSCRIPTIONS all around the state and make your $18/year in Gorham; $23/year elsewhere organize for fair pay and benefits; the er what our future will look like. $13/year for college subscription voice heard at the ballot box either right for people to live their lives free As always, please feel free to call Subscriptions and renewals are available today or on Election Day, Nov. 6. from hate and discrimination; taking or e-mail me if you have any ques- online on our website. Voting in every election is so on the challenge of climate change tions or concerns.
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