Locke's Mills

The Greenwood Planning Board met with Ken and Janet Bartlett recently to discuss the possibility of a garden supply center with sale of local produce at the now-empty Round Pond Corner Store. The Bartletts will meet again with the Planning Board for a site plan review on Nov. 5.

This coming Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m., we get to vote on whether or not we want unrestricted fireworks in Greenwood. The special town meeting will be held at the Greenwood Town Office. The Greenwood Selectmen have drafted a proposal that would allow fireworks use only on specified days as well as ban the sale of fireworks here. This became an issue when the State removed the long-standing restrictions on the use and sale of fireworks.

This created many problems. It is very disturbing for war veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder to deal with unexpected explosions. There are health concerns to all people from the chemicals released by the fireworks explosion as well as the disposal of unexploded fireworks. There are negative economic results since camp renters have said they will not return to such noise and disruption. And then there is the character of Greenwood. Do we want it to sound and look like a version of Old Orchard Beach?

I guess it's obvious where I stand on this issue. And it is an issue for towns with ponds and lakes. Water bodies seem to be where people want to explode fireworks. Fifty-two Maine towns have enacted ordinances banning fireworks. Ironically, Old Orchard Beach is one of those towns. Our neighbor Woodstock, with its ponds and lake, has banned the sale of fireworks and there is discussion about addressing the explosion of them as well. Have your say on Tuesday.

I guess I've beat that topic enough.

The Greenwood Selectmen signed a resolution supporting passenger trains running through town. The proposed route would be from Portland to Montreal traveling through Lewiston, Bethel, and Berlin. Wouldn't that be great. I remember taking the train from Bethel to Portland when I was a pre-schooler; another long ago and faraway event.

The Selectmen received a letter from Thomas Walsh and Deb Taylor requesting Johnny's Bridge be increased in height so large boats could go under it. Johnny's Bridge will be on next year's town meeting agenda.

The Maine Division of Parks and Pubiic Lands has received an

application from Littlefield Beaches Campground regarding their existing non-permanent (seasonal) structures consisting of docks and adjacent berthing space on submerged lands on South Pond. The Division’s records indicate that these structures were in place in 1975 and therefore were granted a “constructive easement” to occupy submerged lands for 30 years, meaning that a conveyance from the Division is not required until Sept. 30, 2005. The owner has applied to convert the constructive easement to a standard conveyance (lease or easement). Code Enforcement Officer Joelle Whitman will be reviewing this issue and commenting to the State.

There is still a remnant of foliage left. The hills have occasional spots of bright yellow from the poplar trees. These will be gone soon. The rust brown of oaks and young beeches is still with us. While mature beeches shed their leaves, the young ones hold on to their brown leaves until they are pushed off by next spring's emerging leaves. Oaks hang on to many of their leaves through the winter

For the nature lovers among us, the University of Maine Extension Service has a Maine Tree Club that is a wealth of information and activities. For information call the University of Maine Cooperative Extension office at 1-800-287-1471 or visit their website.

Lorraine Mills had a recent run-in with a bull moose. She was walking toward the railroad tracks crossing Rowe Hill Road, when she noticed a bull moose on the tracks. He, in turn, noticed her and started coming toward her. She ran back toward home, and he kept coming after her. She sought refuge at Dick and Bev Melville's home on Knoll Road, whereupon the moose headed off across the grass toward Pleasant Street. Guess the moose took Lorraine's rebuff of his attentions in stride.

The Bethel Outing Club Ski Swap and Sale is this Friday evening and Saturday evening. A great place to get skis, boots, snowshoes, skates, and winter clothing. See the Community Calendar for times, etc.

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