Town leaders, Department of
Transportation officials and other representatives of the towns of Windham and
Gorham met recently to discuss vandalism and other security issues regarding
the newly repaired Babb’s Covered Bridge which connects the two towns over the
Presumpscot River.
The meeting, held at the Gorham
Municipal Center, was led by Doug Carlson, a maintenance and operations manager
for the Maine DOT, who told the gathering that the state cannot provide
continued fixes to the bridge resulting from vandalism.
“We can address upkeep and safety on the
bridge, (but) with this (vandalism) we’re just spinning our wheels,” said
Carlson.
Attending the session were the town
managers, police chiefs, public works directors, legislators and members of
respective historical societies from both communities.
Windham Historical Society member and
former senator Gary Plummer acknowledged that while Maine’s DOT will continue
to maintain the bridge, the wanton destruction from vandals and graffiti
“artists” now falls on the two towns. He recommended the formation of a group,
Friends of Babb’s Bridge, to oversee protection and preservation. He recently
told the Eagle that when he visited the aftermath of the bridge’s destruction
from arson in 1973 he experienced a feeling of mourning much like a reaction to
the death of a friend.
“I’m committed to saving this bridge. I
think it’ll be necessary to do some kind of security monitoring. I’ve visited
all nine of (Maine’s remaining) bridges. They all have a graffiti problem, but
sad to say we win the prize,” referring to the words and pictures scrawled
across the length of both interior walls.
Windham representative Patrick Corey
lamented, “People don’t even love their own landmarks.”
Several attendees, however, said they
believed much of the destruction, which included sawing holes through the roof
and kicking away sideboards, was committed by out-of-towners, exhibiting
callous disregard for public property to enhance their good times jumping from
the bridge into the river. Residents who live near the bridge say locals, who
swim and play near, but not on, the bridge show more respect and ownership of
the property.
Police chiefs from the two towns have
agreed to beef up patrols in the area during spring and summer months, but
concede 24 hour surveillance is not possible. It was also noted that passage of
additional town ordinances related to trespassing would help give teeth to
police pursuing arrests and prosecution.
Gorham town manager David Cole said
surveillance and protection is difficult for many reasons, including the remote
location of the bridge and limited resources exacerbated by dwindling state
revenue sharing funds. And, he added, “As long as there are people, there will
be graffiti.”
The bridge protection issue is
particularly pressing right now as extensive repairs have just been completed.
Following severe vandalism over the summers of 2014, ’15 and ’16 Maine DOT
agreed to a complete fix, but warned that responsibility for any ongoing
damages resulting from malicious mischief would rest with the towns.
Plummer and others want to form a panel
that would monitor goings-on at Babb’s Bridge, especially during spring and
summer months. The group, he hopes, would consist of concerned citizens and
members of the local legislative delegation that would recommend security
measures, secure funds and implement a plan by next spring.
“It’s a sound structure right now,” said
DOT bridge maintenance manager Jeffrey Naum, referring to the extensive work this
fall by D & D Construction at a cost of over $160,000. The work included
new roofing and reinforced siding. Stabilization of the abutment supports had
been completed earlier.
Suggestions for security ranged from the
installation of surveillance cameras and continual repainting over the graffiti
to signage and increased “eyes-on” by volunteers.
Windham Primary School children who
regularly visit the covered bridge replica, built originally in the mid-19th
century, also weighed in. Their ideas, recorded on chart paper by their teacher,
were displayed at the meeting. Titled “Ideas to Protect Babb’s Bridge,” one
young history devotee suggested “Make another bridge or something in town that
people can break or spray paint.” Another student recommended “Spread the word!
Talk to everyone we know about how important Babb’s Bridge is to us.”
Gorham resident Guy Labrecque said he
was impressed by the students’ interest.
“If kids are involved at a younger age,
maybe they won’t (condone) the destruction.”
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