Locke's Mills

Sympathy and caring goes out to Butch and Esther Fuller and their family on the death of their grandson Josh Wardwell. Josh was only 17 years old and died in a drowning accident last week. I remember him when he was a little boy and would visit Butch and Esther. He was the son of the Fuller's daughter Stephanie and her husband Eric. Josh was also the grandson of Donald and Nancy Wardwell of Andover. Our collective human heart aches greatly when we lose a young person. It aches now for all of Josh's family.

The Greenwood Selectmen had a busy meeting recently. They approved the new stricter State guidelines for general assistance.

They denied a tax abatement by Edward Johnson for a Greenwood Road camp that was burned earlier in the year as a fire training exercise. The reason for denial was that the burning took place after April 1, the start of the tax year.

They discussed renaming Lookout Mountain Road which is off the Hayes Road. At present it runs in two directions. One of them will need to be renamed. Residents are being contacted for name suggestions.

Greenwood firefighters have been receiving double-time pay on holidays. They told the Selectmen they are willing to receive simple straight pay for holiday work. Can you imagine that happening anywhere else? Thanks, Greenwood firefighters.

Greenwood Fire Chief Al Curtis, Jr., will be taking a 30-day medical leave of absence to recover from surgery. Ray Wakefield will serve as fire chief while Al is recuperating. Take care of yourself, Al, and  best wishes for a good recovery.

The town office will be closing at noon Dec. 24 and re-open Dec. 26. The Planning Board determined that a site plan review application is  not necessary for the proposed store at the site of the Round Pond  Corner Store. This is because the property was previously run as a store. The application money was refunded and plans to open a new store can move forward.

Mt. Abram submitted a preliminary 10-lot subdivision proposal to the Planning Board. The proposed site is on Howe Hill Road and between West Side Lodge and Bear Lane.

A number of us focus on Christmas at this time of the year, but there are many holidays and celebrations now. Hannukah, the solstice, Kwansaa, Boxing Day, and more. All the celebrations and festivities have meaning and are also good ways to help us get through this cold and dark month. There is about one week left until the daylight begins to increase. Granted, it will only be by seconds, but they mount up over time. Those bright decorations and lights so many have put up are another sign of joy and light as we drive by. Share the season with all.

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