Town of Norridgewock PO Box 7 | 16 Perkins St. Town of Norridgewock Norridgewock, ME 04957 ph: (207) 634-2252 fax: (207) 634-5285 Town of Norridgewock www.townofnorridgewock.com Town Office Hours Monday – Wednesday, Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Thursday 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER 634-2252 or call Somerset Communications Center 474-6386 CENTRAL MAINE REGIONAL AIRPORT 634-5351 CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER 634-5735 NORRIDGEWOCK LIBRARIES 634-2828 Mercer Road Library Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Sophie May Library Wednesday 10 AM – 2:00 PM NORRIDGEWOCK PUBLIC WORKS 634-2253 NORRIDGEWOCK WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY 634-4738 For billing inquiries 634-2252 NORRIDGEWOCK WATER DISTRICT 634-2660 Wednesday & Thursday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM NORRIDGEWOCK FIRE DEPT (Non-Emergency) 634-2208 SOMERSET COUNTY SHERIFF (Non-Emergency) 474-9591 MAINE STATE POLICE (Non-Emergency) 800-452-4664 LOCAL SCHOOLS Mill Stream Elementary School 634-3121 “Birds“Birds ofof Norridgewock” Skowhegan Area Middle School 474-3339 Skowhegan Area High School 474-5511 SAD 54 Superintendent of Schools 474-9508 Annual Town Report Riverview Memorial School 634-2641 Year Ending Annual Town Report IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, DIAL 9-1-1 DecemberYear Ending 31, 2018 December 31, 2018 Table of Contents Town Report Dedica on ........................................................... 2 Municipal Offi cials, Offi ceholders, Boards & Commi ees .......... 4 Spirit of America Award ..............................................................6 Important Dates ....................................................................... 7 Elected Offi cials Contact Informa on ........................................ 8 Local Government Reports ....................................................... 9 Local Organiza on Reports ..................................................... 30 County, State & Federal Government Reports ...........................36 2018 Real Estate Valua ons ......................................................46 Past Due Commitments, as of 12/31/2018 .............................. 91 Sewer Use Charges ............................................................. 91 Personal Property Tax, 2004-2018 .................................... 101 Real Estate Tax, 2018 ........................................................ 104 Real Estate Tax, 2017 ........................................................ 116 Real Estate Tax, 2016 ........................................................ 119 Matured Liens, 2015-16 ................................................... 121 One Hundred Years Ago—a look back at 1918-19 ....................123 2018 Audit Report ................................................................ 131 2019 Budget Worksheets ...................................................... 139 2019 Town Mee ng Warrant ................................................ 168 Town of Norridgewock 1 Annual Town Report The 2018 Town Report is dedicated to WARREN BALGOOYEN Warren Balgooyen, born on December 19, 1939, and raised in Westchester County, New York, grew a passion for the outdoors and environment at a very young age. Growing up less than 50 miles from New York City, it is difficult to imagine such beautiful woods and streams; Warren not only found them, he enjoyed them. He built his life around his family, protecting and preserving the environment in which they lived. Warren made an impact in each project he was involved with. Warren graduated from Colby College in 1964, which may have been the first signal of his future return to Central Maine. Before he could retire to Maine, he had many trails to blaze—literally and figuratively. His work in New York to create what is now known as the Teatown Lake Reservation was tremendous. In a history of Teatown, it was noted that “Balgooyen became a truly beloved Teatowner, leaving an unmistakable imprint on the reservation.” He enjoyed making the outdoors fun for others. In 1970, Warren and Helen began renting a farm in Maine; in 1982 they purchased the farm and moved the family to Maine permanantly. It was this move that was so significant for us and where he made his “unmistakable imprint” on Norridgewock. Warren spread his love of environmentalism, conservation, and community in our town and the surrounding communities. Wishing Well Farm, situated in Norridgewock, was 272 acres of woodlands and pasture that enabled Warren to enjoy what he loved most while sharing it with those around. He offered countless talks on bettering the environment, as well as information sessions on a variety of topics. He authored numerous freelance submissions to publications, all in the pursuit of encouraging good stewardship of the environment. Warren’s love for the environment involved him in many organizations in and around Norridgewock. He served as a Director on many boards, including Belgrade Regional 2 Town of Norridgewock Annual Town Report Conservation Alliance (now 7 Lakes Alliance), Land for Maine’s Future, Maine Audubon Society, Norcross Wildlife Foundation, Torrey Botanical Society. He maintained membership in Somerset Grange for over 40 years, as well as Nature Conservancy. With conviction, he was an ardent supporter of Somerset Woods, Maine Farmland Trust, and the American Chestnut (L-R) Warren, Stephen Balgooyen, Bjorn Langeon Foundation. Warren was also involved with the final (and successful) push to preserve the Kennebec Highlands. A parcel of land was given to the Town of Norridgewock in 1988 from Theodore Wing. On the land that became known as the Ashley J. Wing Family Memorial Park, there were large white pines that were aged over a century. These pines are some of the largest in Maine; Warren knew they needed to be protected. He became instrumental in the creation of this green space that helped to preserve these historic trees. In recent years, as spring waters rose and caused significant damage to walkways, Warren continued to be a reliable consult for Town officials working to preserve the canopy. Warren’s impact on the community was tremendous, yet moreso, he made a greater impact on his family. Together with his wife, Helen, of fifty years, they raised two children Christine and Stephen. His love of family was deep, especially enjoying his grandchildren Linden, Sara Frances, Willa, and Luther. A friend and colleague in conservation wrote recently of Warren, “I listened hard and tried to learn from everything he said over the years—he always modestly Warren (R) taking a break on the ice while fishing with friend and fellow conservationist Peter Kallin (L) offered suggestions which were generative, precise, apt, and modeled interconnection. It’s conventional, and painfully true, to say what a huge loss we have suffered when death takes a friend.” For his dedication to the Town of Norridgewock, this 2018 Annual Report is dedicated in the honor and memory of Mr. Warren Balgooyen. 3 Town of Norridgewock Annual Town Report NORRIDGEWOCK OFFICIALS, OFFICEHOLDERS, AND COMMITTEES MEMBERS FOR 2018 SELECTMEN AND OVERSEERS OF THE POOR Ronald Frederick, Chairman, James Lyman, Vice-Chairman, Joshua Chartrand, Matthew Everett, Sara “Sallie” Wilder BOARD OF TAX ASSESSORS Ronald Frederick, Chairman, Sara Wilder, Vice Chairman, James Lyman, Secretary TOWN MANAGER TAX COLLECTOR, TOWN CLERK, FINANCE DIRECTOR, ROAD COMMISSIONER, WELFARE DIRECTOR, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR, AIRPORT ADMINISTRATOR, SEWER ADMINISTRATOR, CEMETERY SUPERINTENDENT, 911 ADDRESSING OFFICER Richard A. LaBelle DEPUTY TOWN CLERK, DEPUTY TAX COLLECTOR, DEPUTY WELFARE ADMINISTRATOR Sharon M. Dodge, Aimee Robinson, Kelly Gooldrup (res.) TREASURER Jessica Everett, Peter Lyman (dep.) FIRE CHIEF David Jones ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER Robert Crosby, Christina Leblanc (dep.) (Somerset Humane Society) CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, LICENSED PLUMBING INSPECTOR, HEALTH OFFICER David Savage LIBRARIAN Kent Sinclair, Sara Wilder (assistant) AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Don Carr, Glen Davis, Mark Hodges, Charlie LaVerdiere, Dana Ledger, Ken Morgan, Travis Pond, Howie Soule, Gil Taylor, Mike Willey (res.) BOARD OF APPEALS David Axelman 2021, Bob Hopkins 2021, Fred Marshall 2021, Brenda Obert 2021, Todd Pineo 2021 Town of Norridgewock 4 Annual Town Report BUDGET COMMITTEE Robert Hopkins, Chairman, 2019, Melannie Keister, Vice Chair, 2020, Charlotte Curtis 2019, Jessica Everett, 2019 (res.), Jesse Hilton 2019, Rebecca Ketchum 2020, Sara Wilder 2020 CEMETERY COMMITTEE Steve Bishop, Gloria Frederick (res.), Rebecca Ketchum, Reta Thebarge, Sara Wilder HISTORIC PANEL DESIGN AD HOC COMMITTEE Janice Malek, Chair, Rebecca Ketchum, Fred Marshall, Sara “Sallie” Wilder, Barbara Winslow LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Sara Wilder, Chairman, 2019 Marla Bottesch 2019, Rebecca Ketchum 2020, Hannah Luce (res.), Katherine Wilder 2023 PARKS COMMITTEE Sharon Bustard, Sherri Lewis, Valerie Trial PLANNING BOARD Scott Campbell, Chairman, 2020, Brian Aubry, Vice Chairman, 2021, Joshua Chartrand 2019, Charlotte Curtis 2020, Rebecca Ketchum 2021 RECREATION COMMITTEE James Easler, Chairman 2021, Kris Dubois 2021, Ryan Jones 2020, Brandy Morgan 2019, Tim LePage (Smithfield), Chris Tibbetts (Mercer) ROAD PLAN COMMITTEE Joseph Nickerson, David “Mike” Obert, Gary Violette SAD/RSU 54 DIRECTORS Heidi Chartrand 2019, Haley Fleming 2021, Desiree Libby 2020, Brandy Morgan 2020, BOARD OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS Kristina Gossman, Chair, 2020, Joshua Chartrand 2019, Bruce Obert 2019, Jennifer Smiley 2020, Nicholas Quimby 2019 TAX INCREMENT FINANCING ADVISORY COMMITTEE John Malek, Chairman 2020, Jessica