Raymond Recall Hearing divides residents over Select Board leadership

By Dina Mendros

Raymond residents voiced both support and criticism of their town’s Select Board chair and vice chair Tuesday during a packed public hearing on a recall election that could remove them from office. A lawyer, however, argued the election would be illegal because the town’s ordinance conflicts with state law.

Raymond Select Board chair Denis Morse, left, and Vice
chair Kaela Gonzalez made statements during a public
hearing on Tuesday about a recall petition to remove
them from office, An election will be held in
Raymond on Dec. 30 to determine if they will lose
their seats on the select Board.
PHOTO BY DINA MENDROS

if they Former Raymond Select Board member Teresa Sadak initiated the recall petition against Chair Denis Morse and Vice Chair Kaela Gonzalez. The election is scheduled for Dec. 30. In her petition, Sadak listed four reasons for the recall including failing to put Raymond’s interests first, creating division, micromanaging, and denigrating employees during public meetings.

On Tuesday, Sadak detailed actions she said supported her claims, many tied to the board’s treatment of former Town Manager Joseph Crocker. Crocker, who resigned earlier this fall, had served as director of Parks and Recreation before becoming interim town manager in March and the permanent town manager in May. He continues part-time work on a special project for the town.

Glenn Michalowski, formerly Lisbon’s town manager, was appointed interim town manager on Nov. 18.

During the public hearing, Sadak accused Morse and Gonzalez of violating board protocols, citing emails obtained through a Freedom of Information request and accounts from staff. She said the two Select Board members berated Crocker over a septic issue at a church leased for town programs, their voices loud enough to be heard by staff and residents.

“How is that not denigrating,” she asked.

She also criticized Morse and Gonzalez for contacting staff, attorneys, and other town managers without board authorization. Raymond Select Board members Chris Hanson and Derek Ray acknowledged some of those actions occurred.

Letters entered into the record echoed support for the recall, including one from town staff members declaring “no confidence” in leadership and citing low morale. Crocker himself wrote a letter that constant questioning of his decisions from certain board members contributed to his resignation.

Despite the support for the recall, many Raymond residents defended Morse and Gonzalez during the public hearing, praising their efforts to address longstanding town issues and urging that Morse and Gonzalez not face a recall vote.

Morse’s attorney, Scott Dolan of Petruccelli, Martin & Haddow LLP, warned that he would sue if the recall election proceeds, arguing the town’s 2012 recall ordinance violates state law. He said that state statute allows for a recall only if an official is convicted of a crime committed during their term that victimized the municipality.

Dolan cited a similar case in the Town of Limerick earlier this year where a judge halted a recall vote saying that an election would violate state statute.

Raymond’s town’s attorney, Philip Saucier of Bernstein Shur, holds a different view, and Gonzalez said he should meet with Dolan to discuss what the town should do.

When given the chance to speak, Gonzalez, nearly in tears, said, “I love this town, I love the people in it. This is not going to change no matter the decision. I do believe in democracy, I will accept the results.”

She said that she never intended to push Crocker from the position of town manager.

Morse, a longtime volunteer and former fire chief, rejected Sadak’s allegations. He said his proposal to appoint an interim manager was meant to support Crocker through a difficult period.

“I actually admire Joe,” Morse said. “I’m proud to have done the things I’ve done for the town of Raymond.”

Morse was elected to the Raymond Select Board in 2023. Gonzalez, a former Raymond town employee, was elected to the Raymond Select Board in 2024. <

School district begins work on 2026–2031 plan, invites community feedback

By Lorraine Glowczak

As RSU 14 approaches the close of its 2021-2026 strategic plan, the district is already looking ahead – inviting community members to help shape what comes next. Work is now underway on the 2026-2031 plan, and district leaders are launching a broad outreach effort to gather fresh perspectives and set new performance goals that reflect the needs of today’s learners.

District stakeholders that include educators, families, high school students and community members – are at the heart of this process. “We want as many people as possible to be a part of the new guiding framework,” RSU 14 Superintendent Christopher Howell said. “The more voices we gather, the more meaningful the input, leading to the best plan possible.”

Over the next four weeks, community members will be invited to share their perspectives through ThoughtExchange, a digital platform that gathers and analyzes community feedback. A QR code printed in The Windham Eagle newspaper will link readers directly to the survey, making it easy for anyone to participate.

“This online platform differs from traditional surveys,” Howell said. “It allows participants to anonymously share their thoughts, read and rate others’ ideas using a one- to five-star rating system, helping people learn from each other and make better decisions.”

In a recent email to parents, Howell shared the following regarding feedback and the ThoughtExchange process:

● Share as many thoughts as you'd like, just one distinct idea per submission

● Your thoughts will be visible to other participants, but your identity remains anonymous

● Read and rate thoughts from others using a 5-star scale (5 = strongly agree, 1 = strongly disagree)

● Return anytime while the exchange is live to rate new ideas

● We recommend rating at least 30 thoughts to help identify community priorities

Although strategic plans are not required, most school districts incorporate and reexamine a guiding framework on a five-year basis in order to support and improve student achievement and educational outcomes.

Howell said that strategic plans create a process for continuous monitoring and adaptation to make sure goals are met and hold the district accountable.

“With a clear vision, measurable goals, and actionable plans, we make sure resources are used wisely, operations run smoothly, and everyone is working toward the same objectives,” he said.

Once the survey is complete, focus groups will be established to gather the feedback and work on a cohesive next step that leads to creative and fresh perspectives.

“High school students will be invited to the table so that decision-making includes the insights of the students who live the experience every day,” Howell said.

Surveys and focused groups that included student voices were also the case when the 2021-2026 strategic plan was developed. From that work, the current framework consists of six core beliefs that the schools have been working diligently on and have either completed or are in the process of completing. From that framework, community engagement has increased and more alternative pathways have been created, helping students succeed.

“Every school in the district has now built strong partnerships with community organizations that support real-world, hands-on learning and provide meaningful service opportunities,” Howell said. “These collaborations range from professional development that connects teachers with local businesses to Extended Learning Opportunities, which let students earn academic credit while exploring careers alongside community experts.”

A full view of the current strategic plan can be found on the RSU 14 website at www.rsu14.org under the “district info” tab.

Howell stated that the district is committed to establishing a safe, supportive, and inclusive community; developing strong partnerships in order to support every learner as they gain knowledge, skills, and character to thrive and contribute in an ever changing, diverse world; and fostering learner aspirations through engagement in authentic learning experiences.

“Your perspectives and priorities are essential to creating a roadmap that reflects our community's values and serves our students well,” he said. “Our students deserve an educational framework that leads to success and your input is instrumental in providing that success.”

The deadline to participate in the survey is Jan, 21, 2026. Provide input HERE (direct link) or QR Code below. <

  

Donations assist Age Friendly Windham in assisting residents

By Ed Pierce

Older and homebound residents are among the most vulnerable in Windham when storms strike the area but through a new initiative, real help for them may be on the way.

Age Friendly Windham and Windham Raymond Adult
Education have teamed up with Levinsky's at 693
Roosevelt Trail in Windham to locate a donation box
at the store for collecting new, store-bought or
handmade blankets and socks for Age Friendly
Windham and adult and children's hats, mittens,
gloves and scarfs for Windham Raymond Adult
Education families in need. COURTESY PHOTO  

According to Erica Bell-Watkins, Windham Age Friendly Coordinator, Levinsky's at 693 Roosevelt Trail in Windham has teamed up with Age Friendly Windham and Windham Raymond Adult Education to locate a donation box at the store for collecting new, store-bought or handmade blankets and socks for Age Friendly Windham and adult and children's hats, mittens, gloves and scarfs for Windham Raymond Adult Education families in need.

Bell Watkins says the AFW disaster preparedness program was started earlier this year

“It is only sustainable through donations as a grant was used to create the first 100 bags, but my goal is to distribute 150 more in 2026,” she said. “I have partially met the goal, but am looking for businesses to donate things like hand sanitizers, first aid kits, multi tools and battery-operated radios and lanterns.”

Businesses are welcome to brand donated items so that community members recognize their generosity, Bell-Watkins said.

“I am asking the community to help supplement the bag with a cozy item like lap blankets and warm socks,” she said. “Of course, cash donations are always welcome as well.”

The first AFW disaster bags were distributed at community events like the spring AFW luncheon and the Windham Food Pantry drive-through, but AFW continues to find families to distribute them to by word of mouth.

“Do you have a neighbor or know a family that doesn't have transportation or the means to create a bag for themselves with the items they would need to stay safe at home or evacuate in case of emergency? This is an effort to keep our community prepared and safe in inclement weather or prolonged periods without electricity,” Bell-Watkins said.

This project was coordinated with the Windham Fire and Windham Police Departments and Age Friendly Windham was able to get the Community Connect app added to the town’s safety plan.

“I hope individuals and families take advantage of this excellent program to help communicate with safety response teams for individual and community wide events,” Bell-Watkins said.

In 2019, Maine was designated as an Age Friendly State, joining many cities and communities across the globe who are committed to becoming more inclusive of people of all ages. Maine is part of the AARP Network of Age Friendly States and Communities and the World Health Organization’s Global Network for Age Friendly Cities and Communities.

Being designated as an Age Friendly state means communities such as Windham are encouraged to plan and implement strategies that best fit the assets and opportunities of their state and community, as well as embrace and assess multiple domains of livability and these disaster bags are part of that.

Age Friendly Windham is a diverse group of dedicated volunteers working to help members in the community to live and age in place and is dedicated to maintaining the independence of our town’s residents and helping them thrive. Its mission is to partner with local and regional organizations and volunteer groups to increase services and programs that make it possible for residents of all ages and abilities to live and thrive in Windham; provide activities geared toward keeping people healthy, active, and engaged in our community; and advise the Windham Town Council about infrastructure and policy that will make it easier and safer for Windham residents to live in our community.

The Age-Friendly Committee was spearheaded by the late Human Services Advisory Committee member, Deb McAfee, when the town enrolled in AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities in January 2019. McAfee, who passed away in May of 2022 following a lengthy battle with cancer, was the driving force behind establishing this committee. The committee formed and completed a public survey in October 2019. It was voted upon and granted by the Windham Town Council in 2020 that Windham would be a part of AARP’s Age-Friendly Community, and Age-Friendly Windham was officially launched in the town.

Donations will be collected through Jan. 31 at Levinsky's.

To learn more about Age Friendly Windham programs and activities, call 207-892-4649 or visit https://agefriendlywindham.org/ <

In the public eye: APEX teacher helps WHS students reclaim their path through alternative learning

Editor’s Note: This is another in an ongoing series of Windham and Raymond town employee profiles.

By Lorraine Glowczak

Some call it a calling. For Windham High School teacher Adrianne Shetenhelm, hers began in elementary school, when she proudly told her class she wanted to be a teacher while answering the age-old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Even a joking warning from her teacher – “There’s no money in it” – couldn’t shake a dream she felt to her core.

Windham High School's Adrianne Shetenhelm,
now in her 19th year of teaching, blends
compassion and steady leadership to lift
her students to success.
PHOTO BY SAWYE GRENDALL

“To me, school was and is my happy place,” she said. “Studying something new, learning from mistakes, and growing is the purpose in life. Now I see that helping others on that path is my purpose.”

Today, she serves as the lead educator behind Windham High School’s APEX program (Alternative Programming for Excellence), a support system for students whose education has been disrupted, who need flexibility in earning credits, or who require a different pathway to graduation. For her, the work is far more than instruction; it’s about helping students reconnect to hope, responsibility, and possibility.

“When I started teaching English, I was eager to share my love of literature,” she said. “Through the students’ writing, I saw the complex lives my students lived. When some disappeared – due to homelessness, transfers, or mental health struggles – I felt powerless to help.”

Her move to APEX changed that. “Here, students can resume classes after a break in education, or a move from a new school, or earn the credits they need to graduate in a small learning community. My job has shifted from solely teaching literature, to helping students take responsibility for their learning and move toward their goals after high school.”

Shetenhelm describes her job as “having one foot in the traditional classroom and one foot in alternative education,” she said. “We support students earning credits or those needing a home base in a large high school. I truly have the best students—talented, unique, and inspiring me every day.”

She also recognized that many educators supporting nontraditional student pathways weren’t connected under a formal department. In response, she proposed creating a new “Alternative Pathways” department, which she now chairs.

“I wanted those teachers to have a voice and a community,” she said. “When adults feel supported, students feel supported.”

Shetenhelm’s core values are rooted in dignity, trust, and growth. She builds relationships by listening without judgment, showing consistency, and creating spaces where students know they matter.

Like many educators, she sees challenges that most community members never witness.

“Some of the biggest challenges are the unseen ones—students who are struggling outside of school, juggling adult responsibilities, or battling anxiety or depression,” she said. “People sometimes think alternative education is a last resort, but it’s not. It’s a course correction. It’s a chance to realign and take control of their learning with support.”

She wishes more people understood the resilience her students demonstrate every day.

“These are young people who want to succeed. They just need the right environment to do it.”

Her educational journey reflects her dedication. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education from Wheaton College, then worked at a Portland middle school as an in-school suspension teacher before earning her master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Boston College. She taught for six years in Massachusetts before returning to Maine to teach in Sanford High School’s BARR program.

“I randomly saw the opening for the APEX position and knew it was for me,” she said. “I wanted to keep teaching English but also work with students who, in other districts, might disappear from the classroom.”

This year marks her 19th year in teaching and her 11th year of leading the APEX program at WHS.

APEX’s motto reflects Shetenhelm’s belief in resilience and finding direction: “We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust our sails.”

“I call my students ‘the APEX crew,’” she said. “Like a crew on a boat, you have to lean on your team and they see success comes from hard work, realigning after difficulties, and sticking with your goal. That’s where growth happens.”

With her blend of compassion, leadership, and unwavering belief in her students, she continues to make APEX a place where young people can rediscover direction – and themselves – one adjusted sail at a time. <

Windham Town Council finalizes committee appointments

By Ed Pierce

With the full contingent of newly elected members taking their seats on the Windham Town Council, committee assignments were determined during the council’s Nov. 25 meeting.

Members of the Windham Town Council meet at Windham 
Town Hall on Tuesday, Nov, 25. From left are Councilors
Katie Cook, Maggie Terry, David Nadeau, Mark Morrison,
Bill Reiner, Doug Fortier and Brett Jones.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE     

Three councilors, David Nadeau, Bill Reiner and Katie Cook, were appointed to serve on the town’s Finance Committee. Nadeau and Cook are At-Large council members while Reiner represents Windham’s West District.

To serve on the town’s Appointments Committee, the council elected councilors Mark Morrison, Maggie Terry and Katie Cook. Terry represents Windham’s North District while Morrison is an At-Large town councilor.

Councilors Brett Jones (Windham East District), Bill Reiner and David Nadeau were elected to serve on the Windham Ordinance Committee.

Two new council representatives were elected to serve on the Windham Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. They are Maggie Terry (North District) and Doug Fortier (South District).

The Windham Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee council representative will be Brett Jones (East District).

The council elected At-Large town councilors Katie Cook and Mark Morrison to serve on the Substance Prevention Grant Committee.

Following a brief discussion, councilors deferred making an appointment for the Windham Natural Resources Advisory Committee. Town Manager Bob Burns said the committee typically deals with issues such as town building energy efficiency and solar panel use but suggested that the council may want to eliminate this committee and place oversight elsewhere during a future meeting.

For the Highland Lake Leadership Team, councilors appointed David Nadeau (At-Large) as the council representative for this group.

Councilors elected Mark Morrison (At-Large) as council representative to the Forbes Lane Neighborhood Park ad hoc Committee.

The council’s representatives to the Substance Prevention Grant Committee will be At-Large councilors Mark Morrison and Katie Cook.

For service on the Windham Middle School Repurpose Advisory Committee, councilors elected Maggie Terry (North District), Katie Cook (At-Large) and Bill Reiner (West District).

Council members David Nadeau (At-Large) and Maggie Terry were elected to the North Windham Fire Station Repurpose Advisory Committee.

Councilor Mark Morrison (At-Large) was elected as the Town of Windham’s delegate to the Greater Portland Council of Governments General Assembly, which is the policy making body of GPCOG. Councilor Bill Reiner (West District) will serve as the town’s alternate delegate to the GPCOG.

The council appointed Windham Town Manager Bob Burns as representative to the ecomaine Board of Directors with Councilor David Nadeau to serve as alternate town representative for that organization.

Earlier in November, councilors elected Mark Morrison as Town Council chair, with Bill Reiner elected as Vice Chair and David Nadeau as Council Parliamentarian.

Morrison was first elected to the Windham Town Council in 2020 and then was re-elected to a three year At-Large term in 2023. He previously served as the Town Council chair from November 2023 to November 2024 and has lived in Windham since 1990 while working as a financial advisor.

Reiner was first elected to the council representing Windham’s West District in 2021 and was re-elected to the council in 2024. He moved to Windham in 2016 and works in the Critical Care nursing field.

Nadeau was first elected to the Windham Town Council in 2011 and before that served for 10 years as a member of Windham’s Planning Board. He was re-elected to the council in an At-Large role in 2024 and has previously served as the Town Council Parliamentarian and Town Council chair. He is retired from a career in electronics engineering.

Vacancies currently exist on two town committees for residents to serve on.

There is one available seat for a resident on the Windham Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, and one seat open on the Windham Summerfest Committee.

Printed applications will be accepted in the Town Manager's office at Windham Town Hall, 8 School Road in Windham, until the positions are filled. Applications may be downloaded online at https://www.windhammaine.us/376/Committee-Vacancies or you may request an application by calling 207-892-1907. <

Surveys poll public sentiment about climate impacts, transportation in Windham

By Ed Pierce

During December, two different public surveys will gauge public opinion in Windham about topics affecting the community’s planning for the future.

Two different community surveys in Windham
will poll residents for their opinions about
transportation in the town and how climate-
related impacts affect infrastructure, public
safety and the town's natural resources.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

On Wednesday, Dec. 3, a public meeting at Windham Town Hall asked residents to provide feedback to help the town improve existing connections, create new connections, and make walking and biking easier, safer, and more enjoyable. The meeting aimed to enhance Windham's Active Transportation Plan as addressed on Windham’s 2016 Comprehensive Plan update.

Community feedback will help shape the future of walking and biking infrastructure in the town, including planning for new sidewalks and bike lanes for people traveling on foot or on wheels. Meeting and survey input will guide improvements to existing sidewalks and roads, help identify new opportunities, and make walking and biking in Windham easier and safer.

An online public survey will be available at the end of this week on the town website and will augment the public meeting and was created with funding support from the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS), which is the metropolitan planning organization for the Greater Portland region. The Town of Windham is working with the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) and Sebago Technics to develop a plan to evaluate, analyze and make improvements to the Town’s active transportation infrastructure such as sidewalks, bikeways, and multi-use trails.

The meeting and survey will result in the development of a town-wide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan going forward. The transportation survey ends Dec. 24.

Mary Wicklund, Town of Windham Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator, says that the town is also working closely with the Greater Portland Council of Governments on a climate impact survey, with GPCOG taking the lead on the survey and analyzing the results.

“In the State of Maine, much of the vulnerability and impacts resulting from the changing climate impacts has focused on the coastal regions,” Wicklund said. “This project, a collaboration between GPCOG and five municipalities, aims to better understand the climate risks for inland communities. For example, extreme heat and impacts from larger storms (resulting in road washouts and reduced water quality), impact residents across the state.

Wicklund said working with GPCOG will support the town in identifying and prioritizing the next steps to address current needs to enhance our infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and overall community wellbeing.

According to Emma Morgan, Sustainability Program Associate for the Greater Portland Council of Governments climate impact is a key issue in future planning for Windham.

“Climate-related impacts, such as more frequent and intense storms, increased flooding, heat waves, and shifting seasonal weather patterns, are becoming more noticeable each year in the region,” she said. “In Windham, these changes are affecting road conditions, public safety, household energy costs, and the town’s natural resources. Understanding how these changes are affecting the community and its resources is essential to preparing for risks, protecting property and infrastructure, and supporting vulnerable residents.”

Morgan said the climate impact survey is designed to engage with the community and gather first-hand information on how community members are experiencing climate-related changes.

“We hope to learn which impacts people are most concerned about, where residents may already be seeing impacts such as flooding, erosion, heat-related challenges, or storm damage, and how prepared households feel today and what barriers exist to improving resilience,” Morgan said.

She said the survey results will help to inform the town’s climate adaptation and resilience planning.

“They will help to identify priority areas for investment, guide decision making, and shape preparedness strategies,” Morgan said. “The data collected will also highlight where additional outreach or support may be needed. Ultimately, the feedback from the community will help ensure that future planning efforts reflect community needs and that town resources are utilized to make the greatest impact.”

The survey will remain open through Dec. 31.

“Once it closes, we will compile and analyze all responses, and the findings will be shared publicly in the final Vulnerability Assessment Report,” Morgan said. “This report, developed through the Community Resilience Partnership Service Provider Grant, will be published no later than July 2026.” 

Visit windhammaine.us for links. <

Maine Paid Family & Medical Leave updates benefit taxability

AUGUSTA – Maine Department of Labor's Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) program has updated its FAQs for employers and employees to help answer questions they may have about the taxability of benefits.

"As businesses prepare to implement the Paid Family & Medical Leave program in 2026, we've chosen an option that makes compliance with the recent IRS tax rules as simple and supportive of businesses as possible," said Maine Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman.

Highlights of the FAQs include:

For employees:
Whether Maine PFML benefits are taxable depends on the situation. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the best source of information and has released guidance.
Benefits paid for family leave claims are considered taxable income, but they are not considered wages. You can choose to have withholdings from your benefits for state and federal income taxes. You'll get a Form 1099-G at the end of the year for when you file your income tax return.
Benefits paid for medical leave claims are treated differently depending on who is required to pay the premiums for coverage: the employee or the employer.
When the employee pays all the Paid Family & Medical Leave premiums, their medical leave benefits are not taxable at all. In Maine, employers who have less than 15 workers are exempted from their portion of the premium, so the employee would pay all the premium.
When the employee pays only a portion of the premiums, then only the proportion of benefits corresponding to their contributions are exempt from tax. The proportion attributable to the employer's contribution would be taxable wages.
Even if an employer voluntarily pays a portion of the employee's premium share, the taxation rules are still the same as what is assumed in law for cost sharing.

Generally, this will mean that if an employee takes leave from an employer with less than 15 employees, none of their medical leave benefits are taxable. If they take leave from an employer with 15 employees or more, half of their medical leave benefits will be taxable as wages.

Payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare will be taken out of this taxable part of medical leave benefits. They can also elect to voluntarily withhold state and federal income taxes and will get a Form W-2 for the taxable portion when they file their income tax return.

For employers:
For the portion of medical leave benefits that are subject to payroll taxes, the Department will cover the responsibility of calculating and paying the required employer payroll tax matches. The Administrator will remit payroll taxes and issue Forms W-2 to employees as needed, on behalf of the Department. The Department will assume this responsibility and associated costs during the initial phase of the program to reduce complexity in the tax treatment of benefits. The Department acknowledges that employers already comply with the payroll tax requirements for short-term disability programs and reserves the right to adopt a comparable process for PFML benefits in the future.

In 2023, Maine Gov Janet Mills signed a historic budget that includes the creation of a paid family and medical leave program, making Maine the 13th state to establish one.

Starting in 2026, eligible workers in the private and public sector will have up to 12 weeks of paid time off available to care for a family member with a serious health condition, to bond with a child after birth, fostering or adoption, to care for their own medical needs, to deal with the transition of a family member’s impending military deployment or to stay safe after abuse or violence.

To keep up to date with information on Maine's Paid Family & Medical Leave program, visit https://www.maine.gov/paidleave/ <