Windham and Raymond announce road postings to limit frost heave damage

By Ed Pierce

It’s that time of year again when town public works directors determine what local roads are susceptible to frost heave damage and try to protect them by limiting large trucks traveling on them.

Windham and Raymond
road postings have been
announced to limit damage
caused by frost heaves over
the winter as the ground
begins to thaw this spring. 
COURTESY PHOTO 

Meterologist Jason Nappi says that frost heaves are the upward swelling, or lifting of soil, roads, foundations, plants, or other objects during freezing conditions. It occurs primarily in cold climates and can cause significant damage to infrastructure and landscapes.

“The main cause is the formation of ice lenses in the soil, rather than just the simple 9 percent expansion of water freezing in place, though that contributes a minor amount.” Nappi said. “As temperatures drop below freezing, a freezing front moves downward through the soil. In certain soils, water is drawn upward toward this freezing front through capillary action like how a sponge soaks up water. This happens because fine soil particles create tiny pores that allow unfrozen water to migrate toward the colder zone where ice is already forming. At the freezing front this migrating water freezes onto existing ice crystals, forming thin, lens-shaped layers of nearly pure ice (ice lenses) that grow over time. These lenses can become quite thick as more water is supplied, pushing the soil above them upward – often by several inches or more in severe cases.

Nappi said that frost heaves are particularly damaging to roads because they exert powerful upward forces from below the pavement surface, often unevenly, which the rigid or semi-rigid pavement layers like asphalt or concrete aren't designed to withstand without deforming or breaking.

According to Nappi, there are several effective ways to prevent or significantly mitigate frost heave damage.

“Since frost heave requires all three conditions – freezing temperatures, frost-susceptible soil, and a source of water – to occur, prevention strategies target one or more of these, most commonly by controlling moisture, replacing or improving soil, insulating to limit freezing depth, or using other engineering techniques,” he said. “These methods vary by application, for example roads and highways, building foundations, sidewalks, or landscapes, cost, and site conditions. Complete elimination is possible in many cases with proper design, but mitigation reducing severity is more common and cost-effective for existing structures.”

He said ways to limit damage from frost heaves include improving drainage; replacing frost-susceptible subgrade materials; adding granular base or rock caps; using geotextiles or geo-composites; and other innovative treatments.

“Frost heaves can affect many things besides roads, essentially any structure, surface, or object in or on frost-susceptible soil where freezing temperatures, moisture, and poor drainage allow ice lenses to form and exert upward pressure, Nappi said. “The damage often shows as uneven lifting, cracking, tilting, bowing, or displacement, and it's especially common for shallow or lightly loaded elements.”

Besides roads, frost heaves can affect building foundations and slabs for homes, garages, commercial buildings, driveways, sidewalks, patios, concrete slabs and railroad tracks, he said.

In Windham, the Public Works Department generally post roads in late February for heavy load limits. Once these roads are posted they remain as such until the postings are removed, generally no later than May 15. The maximum registered weight of a vehicle allowed on posted roads is 23,000 pounds or less. A list of 128 posted roads in Windham this year can be found on the Town of Windham website at https://www.windhammaine.us/

Typically, a road that can easily handle a 15-ton weight truck in summer or winter months may only be able to handle a 5-ton load during the spring thawing season. The costs of repairing or rebuilding a road damaged by a frost heave can be substantial, running into $10,000 per mile in some cases and causing potholes, cracking, and roadway and pavement bumps.

In Raymond, 49 different roads are posted for frost heaves this year. That list of roads is available online at the Town of Raymond website at https://www.raymondmaine.gov/

Raymond Public Works Director Nathan White said that Routes 85, 121, 302 and Egypt Road will be exempt from this posting because they are roads that are maintained by the state of Maine. <

To learn more about frost heaves and Maine’s independent meterologist Jason Nappi, visit https://jasonnappiweather.com/ <

Local road projects included in new Maine Three-Year Plan

By Ed Pierce

Maine’s new Department of Transportation Commissioner Dale F. Doughty has released the state’s Three-Year Work Plan, a blueprint outlining 2,798 planned transportation projects from 2026 to 2028 totaling $4.5 billion in investments across Maine. Among projects listed in the revised plan are a number of highway and bridge improvements in Windham and Raymond.

After several years of being listed on the Maine
Department of Transportation's Three-Year Plan
of projects, Varney's Bridge across the Pleasant
River on William Knight Road in Windham will
be replaced this year in collaboration with the 
Town of Windham. Projects in the state's new
Three-Year Plan have been announced.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

The Work Plan details all planned operations, planning, design, construction, and maintenance activities the Department expects to undertake over the next three calendar years.

“This document reflects thousands of hours of work across the Department,” said MaineDOT Commissioner Dale F. Doughty. “We recognize that our transportation system touches every household and every business, every day. We plan carefully, adjust when necessary, and keep our focus where it belongs – on delivering a transportation network that serves Maine.”

Doughty was confirmed by the Maine Senate as MaineDOT Commissioner earlier this month following the retirement of longtime Commissioner Bruce Van Note. Doughty had been serving as acting Commissioner since last August.

According to Doughty, while federal funding uncertainty remains, MaineDOT will continue to plan ahead, adapt, and deliver projects that maintain and strengthen Maine’s transportation network.

Among highlights of the planned capital and maintenance work in Windham under the new Three-Year Plan are:

Highway Construction and Rehabilitation for Route 302 in 2026 beginning about 0.45 of a mile west of Outpost Drive and extending west 0.14 of a mile, including the roundabout intersection with Route 202. The cost of this is estimated to be $301,000.

Replacement of Varney's Bridge on William Knight Road in 2026 at a cost of $1.7 million.

Replacement of Loveitt Bridge over the Pleasant River in 2027 located about 0.13 of a mile north of Laskey Road. The cost of this is estimated at $4.22 million.

Construction of an East Connector Road and a Middle Connector Road in 2026, along with Route 302 improvements and Route 115 and Route 35 improvements. This includes creating a new roadway from Franklin Drive and extending south to Route 115. Estimated funding is $38.2 million.

Making Highway Safety and Spot Improvements to Route 202 beginning about 0.01 of a mile south of Swett Road and extending north 0.57 of a mile in 2026. The estimated cost is $255,000.

Replacement of a large culvert on Falmouth Road over McIntosh Brook in 2026 at an estimated cost of $200,000.

Crack Sealing local road assistance in 2026 with estimated funding of $369,832.

Among highlights of the planned capital and maintenance work in Raymond under the new Three-Year Plan are:

Capital improvements to the Frye Island Ferry Service between Raymond and Frye Island in 2026, 2027 and 2028. The estimated funding for each year’s project is 373,000.

Highway paving for Route 85 beginning at Route 302 and extending north 7.98 miles to Route 11 in 2026. Estimated funding for this project is $105,000.

Ditch work and replacing culverts on Route 85 in Raymond starting at the intersection of Route 302 in Raymond and extending 7.98 miles north to the intersection of Route 11 in Casco. The estimated cost of this project is $127,000.

Doughty said that the new MaineDOT Three-Year Plan includes all capital projects and programs, maintenance and operations activities, planning initiatives, and administrative functions scheduled over the three-year period. While most of the work is delivered or coordinated through MaineDOT, the plan also reflects federal funds distributed for other transportation partners, including municipalities, airports and transit agencies.

“Economic opportunity goes hand in hand with quality of life,” Doughty said. "MaineDOT aggressively seeks out special state and federal funding for wise and thoughtful expansion and transformation. This work plan contains several projects that guide Maine in the 21st century.” <

Maine Secretary of State warns of widespread BMV text scam

AUGUSTA – Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is warning of a widespread text scam received by Mainers across the state. Similar text scams have been reported numerous times this year.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is warning residents
of a widespread unsolicited text scam seeking payments
for the Maine DMV. Bellows says Maine has a BMV, for the
Bureau of Motor Vehicles, not a DMV and sends postal mail
for late payments, not text messages. COURTESY PHOTO       

The text says, “Important Reminder from the Maine DMV” and threatens the recipient with several consequences, from vehicle registration and license suspension to late payments and legal proceedings for failing to pay for a supposed violation. A link is provided in the text and leads to a fake website. Neither the text nor the website is associated with the Secretary of State’s Office or the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

“Similar fake texts are appearing with increasing frequency,” said Secretary Bellows. “Unfortunately, this is likely a sign that the scammers are finding success and new victims each time they send out a new batch of texts.”

Scammers often send mass texts (“smishing”) or emails (“phishing”) to as many recipients as possible with the hope that some will be tricked into falling for the ruse. Scammers seek to obtain personal identifying information and/or financial information from their victims. If you are the victim of a scam, always notify you financial institutions right away. If you fall for a scam, be sure to monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. You can also freeze your credit file to prevent scammers from using stolen personal information to open up fraudulent accounts in your name.

To avoid becoming a victim of a scam, always be suspicious of any unsolicited text, email, or call, no matter who they claim to be or what displays on your caller ID:

** Legitimate government agencies will rarely contact you by text for sensitive matters. The BMV will send such correspondence by mail.

** If you're not sure if a message is true, always verify its legitimacy by contacting the official source directly by looking up the number.

** Never click a link in an unsolicited text or email.

** Never provide identification or financial information to an unsolicited caller.

** Urgency is always a red flag – if they are telling you that you must act quickly or risk a consequence, it is likely a scam.

Learn more about reporting fraud at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. <

RSU 14 participates in ‘Olympic Rings Wellness Challenge’

By Ed Pierce

Wellness is important to RSU 14, and this year’s theme is “Take Care of Yourself.”

Students in Deanna Blanchard's Fourth Grade class at
Manchester School display the RSU 14 Olympic Torch of
Hope and Wellness during the Olympic Rings of Wellness
event sponsored by the RSU 14 Wellness Program,
SUBMITTED PHOTO
 

According to Donna Morton, RSU 14 Wellness Coordinator, wellness doesn’t have to be running a marathon but can be simple everyday habits like drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, eating well, relaxing, breathing, walking, getting checkups, and having fun with friends and family.

“So many people are juggling jobs and families, feeling like there isn’t enough time to take care of themselves,” she said. “The RSU14 Wellness Team’s mission is to provide information, wellness tips, inspiration and challenges for all staff.”

Morton said that this month’s challenge was the “Olympic Rings of Wellness” where RSU 14 staff could earn each of the five Olympic rings which corresponded the different dimensions of wellness including social-blue, emotional-red, nutritional-yellow, fitness-green and intellectual-black.

“It was fun to see staff and students pass the Olympic Torch of Hope and Wellness around,” Morton said.

Other recent RSU 14 Wellness Challenges have been “Walktober” in the fall promoting getting outside; “Crocktober” to promote healthy foods and share recipes among staff, and “The Twelve Days of Wellness” in December.

In 2024, to demonstrate the benefits of being outdoors, Raymond Elementary School hosted a special Wellness Walk and Nature Talk as outdoor experiences have been proven to help improve academic and physical performance for many students. Morton said the Wellness Program strives to show that time spent learning and playing in nature benefits the whole child and can help children attain their full potential.

She said that this month’s “Olympic Rings Wellness Challenge” focused on the importance of teacher and staff wellness and how it can influence school culture and climate, student instruction, and foster student academic, personal, and emotional development. Focusing on staff wellness also affects the stability of the workforce as RSU 14 teacher and staff wellness influences day-to-day school activity.

“Last year we did a March Madness Challenge for Fruit in which watermelon won and this year we’re going to have March Madness for Veggies,” Morton said. “It will be fun to see which vegetable wins and the creative recipes with them.”

The school district’s Wellness Program is far reaching and comprehensive and aims to improve health for not only students, but also for teachers and adult staff members who work with RSU 14 students, Morton said. The program is committed to providing an environment within RSU 14 schools that support student wellness, healthy food choices, nutrition education, physical education, and regular physical activity not only for students but also for school staff.

School staff wellness programs such as the RSU 14 Wellness Program improve retention, reduce absenteeism, and enhance productivity by addressing physical, mental, and emotional health, Moron said.

Effective initiatives include offering mental health resources, on-site fitness challenges, healthy food options, and creating dedicated, relaxing spaces for staff to reduce burnout and foster a supportive environment.

“Wellness is important for everyone, young and old,” Morton said. “By practicing self-care for even a few minutes a day, you could notice a significant positive change in your well-being. Do what makes you happy, be with people that make you happy, whether it’s quiet time, sleeping in, a bath, a book, a movie, a quiet walk, yoga, skiing, skating, dancing, bowling, hiking, snowmobiling, walking the dog, or getting out with friends, take time for yourself and be good to yourself.” <

In the public eye: Windham Police Captain proud to serve and protect community

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

By Ed Pierce

Windham’s newest police captain is no rookie and has spent more than 30 years in law enforcement.

Eugene 'Gene' Gallant has been promoted to serve as Captain
of Support Services for the Windham Police Department. He
will oversee the Criminal Investigation Division's four
detectives, one detective sergeant and three school resource
officers, along with payroll and training. He's spent more
than 30 years in law enforcement, including the past 27
years with the Windham Police.     

Last week, the Windham Police Department announced that Eugene “Gene” Gallant has been promoted to serve as Captain of Support Services for the Windham Police. In his new position, Gallant will oversee the Criminal Investigation Division’s four detectives, one detective sergeant and three school resource officers, along with payroll and training. He’s also a crash reconstructionist, drone pilot and a member of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department’s Dive Team.

Gallant has served with the Windham Police for the past 27 years and started his career with the Buxton Police Department in 1996. 

Originally from Scarborough, Gallant attended Southern Maine Technical College, now Southern Maine Community College. He earned an associate’s degree in law enforcement and went to work for the Scarborough Police Department as a reserve officer for several years before landing a full-time job with the Buxton Police.

“After three years with Buxton, I was looking for a larger department,” Gallant said. “Windham was attractive because of the projected growth of the town and department, as well as the work schedule. I was a patrol officer for 15 years before being promoted to detective in 2014. Along with crash reconstruction, drone pilot and member of the dive team, I have been a field training officer, drug recognition expert, and a member of the honor guard since its inception in 2003.”

He says that the variety of work is the best thing about working in law enforcement.

“No day is ever the same, which keeps the job interesting,” Gallant said. “Because of the nature of our work, we may have to drop whatever we are doing at a moment’s notice to respond to an emergency. The entire workday can change in an instant because of this. You could have personal plans after work or on days off that get cancelled because you must respond to one of these situations. This requires a great deal of flexibility.”

According to Gallant, the biggest misconception people may have about his work in law enforcement is the amount of work that goes into bringing a case to court.

“Whether a patrol officer arrests an intoxicated driver or a detective is following up on a child abuse investigation, it’s nothing like it is on TV,” he said. “The amount of time and documentation that goes into these cases can be overwhelming and at times can encompass several workdays.”

His most memorable moment while working for the Windham Police took place several years ago.

“In 2022, Windham Police Captain Jason Burke and I participated in the Wreaths Across America escort to Washington D.C. It was a rewarding and humbling experience to not only escort the wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery, but to participate in the many civic and memorial events along the way,” Gallant said. “Spending an entire day, along with hundreds of others, laying wreaths on the gravestones and memorials is something I will never forget.”

He says that his family is proud of the work he does, especially the relationship that has been built with the school department.

“Earning the respect and trust of youth is critically important, especially in these times,” Gallant said. “I have especially enjoyed working with the high school and being a part of their annual crime scene project.”

One thing that the public may not know about Gallant’s job is that he does not have just one job.

“This goes for many of the other officers in the Windham Police Department,” he said. “We all have our primary jobs then we take on other responsibilities in the way of specialty assignments such as evidence technicians, field training officers, firearms and use of force instructors etc. While these assignments require more work, we take on these assignments voluntarily because of their rewarding nature and to provide better service to the Windham community.”

Gallant said the most important thing that he has learned while working for the Windham Police is communication.

“Whether it is within the Police Department itself or dealing with the public, the ability to communicate effectively is essential,” he said. <

Windham to explore charter amendment changing town meeting

By Ed Pierce

Members of the Windham Town Council have agreed to the possibility of changing to a balloted form of town meeting to encourage greater voter participation rather than the currently used in-person town meeting held every June.

From left, Windham Interim Assistant Town Manager
Amanda Lessard briefs Windham Town Councilors Katie
Cook and Maggie Terry about the Presumpscot 2040 
meeting she participated in earlier this month. That
meeting was sponsored by the Casco Bay Estuary
Partnership and discussed the future of the Presumpscot
River and its impact upon residents of the Lakes Region 
of Maine. PHOTO  BY ED PIERCE    

During a meeting on Feb. 10, councilors discussed inviting the town attorney to an upcoming meeting to explain how the process of amending the town charter to make the switch could work. Windham Town Manager Bob Burns advised councilors that the process does take time and would need to be completed by August so it could be given to the town clerk so voters could vote regarding the charter amendment in November.

During a marathon 4 ½-hour town meeting on Saturday June 14, Windham’s $8.9 million budget was eventually passed through a series of unexpected developments. With more than 130 Windham residents on hand for the Annual Town Meeting at Windham Town Hall, concerned voters questioned nearly each of the 30 town warrant articles, wanting explanations for increases in spending and sharing their opinions about budgeting proposals put forward by the Windham Town Council. The first six out of the 30 warrant articles were approved following discussions and clarifications but those in attendance rejected Article 7 asking for approval of a municipal budget of $39.9 million, requiring votes for each of the next 11 articles.

Among those, only Article 8, asking for an increase of 11.39 percent and $8.9 million funding general government operations for fiscal year 2025-2026 was defeated by voters as determined by the moderator. Article 8 included funding for Windham Town Hall offices and services and some contractual expenses, such as benefits for town police officers. All the other warrant articles were approved by voters, except for Articles 24, 25, 26, and 27, those dealt specifically with creating and funding a new public skating rink and playground in North Windham at a cost of $3 million and renovations to Gambo Park with new soccer field, recreational trails and improved parking at an expense of $3 million. Article 22, a proposal to construct a new North Windham Public Safety Building behind Hannaford Supermarket off Route 302, involved a lengthy discussion and many questions raised by voters about acquiring the site property, housing a Cumberland County Sheriff’s Patrol Office in the building, and the need to replace the current North Windham Fire Station on Route 302, a structure built in 1960.

After the 30 warrant articles had been discussed and voted upon, a review ensued about what the implications of the rejection of Article 8 would mean, including the difficulty of rescheduling and legally posting another town meeting, shutting down Windham Town Hall on July 1, potentially laying off employees and not having necessary revenue to meet contractual bills and defaulting on town obligations. By this time, and after four hours, at least half of residents attending had left the meeting.

A series of actions then happened that reversed the earlier vote on Article 8. A voter who had voted no previously then formally made a motion to change his vote, and then a second voter who had voted no to Article 8 previously made a motion to change their vote too and seconded the motion on the floor to reopen the article. Following a discussion about amending the budget, a vote to amend the $8.9 million was voted down and then Article 8 as originally proposed was then passed by those in attendance.

It led to criticism that some residents attending the meeting felt disenfranchised having their vote overturned after they had left the meeting and prompted town councilors to ponder if the in-person town meeting could be changed to a ballot vote like what RSU 14 uses to approve its annual budget by voters.

A straw poll taken during the town council meeting indicated that Councilors Maggie Terry, Mark Morrison, and Katie Cook agreed to explore a potential charter amendment with Councilor David Nadeau opposed. Burn told the council that Councilor Bill Reiner favored moving ahead with that but wasn’t sure about how Councilor Doug Fortier or Councilor Brett Jones felt about the issue. With four votes in favor of that, Burns said he would invite the town attorney to a future council meeting to discuss this issue further. Fortier, Jones and Reiner were not at the meeting.

In other actions from the Windham Town Council meeting on Feb. 10, councilors appointed Councilor Doug Fortier to a new steering committee for the East Windham Conservation area and learned that Town Manager Burns has met with all town departments who are in the process of putting together budgets for Fiscal Year 2027. <

'Daylight Savings Hike’ to visit East Windham Conservation Area

By Ed Pierce

Circle this one on your calendar for interesting things to do coming up in the Windham area as Presumpscot Regional Land Trust has scheduled a “Daylight Savings Hike” from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8 at the East Windham Conservation Area.

Maine Master Naturalist Jeanne Christie will
lead a 'Daylight Savings Hike' on Sunday,
March 8 at the East Windham Conservation
Area sponsored by the Presumpscot Regional
Land Trust. The hike will explore how plants
and animals respond to more sunlight and 
milder temperatures in nature.
COURTESY PHOTO

As longer hours of sunlight will be welcomed back with a return to Daylight Saving Time that day, officials from the land trust and Maine Master Naturalist Jeanne Christie will gather to explore how plants and animals respond to more sunlight and milder temperatures while on an afternoon hike at the East Windham Conservation Area.

The hiking group will learn how plants and trees change from dormant to vibrant, why some birds show up early, how hibernators wake up, and more.

A posting promoting the event on the PRLT website says that this is a slow walk with many stops to observe signs of spring and talk, so dress warmly with footwear appropriate for early March. There may be snow and/or icy patches from Maine’s normal freeze and thawing from winter, so plan for the possibility that hiking poles or ice cleats may be needed for added stability.

The East Windham Conservation Area was conserved in September 2023. The Town of Windham owns the outdoor recreational site, and the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust holds a conservation easement on the 700 acres of land, which is the size of Bradbury State Park. This area is now part of a 2,000-acre conservation corridor and is larger than any state park in Southern Maine.

This project is the largest wildlife habitat, clean water, and recreational trail corridor in Greater Portland. The Trail access corridor provides a 30-mile trail network connecting Lowell Preserve, North Falmouth Community Forest, and Blackstrap Hill Preserve.

Land at the site is 99 percent forested and includes 661 acres with 1,545 feet of undeveloped water frontage on Little Duck Pond, some 38 acres of wetlands and numerous headwater streams. Through its conservation, the area helps to protect the water quality for Little Duck Pond, Highland Lake, Forest Lake, and the Pleasant River. About 10 miles of new multi-use trails have been built at the site by the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust and the land also includes a 150-acre Deer Wintering Area, a traditional site for hunting by permission, and the 580-foot Atherton Hill, the tallest spot in Windham.

With its completion, the East Windham Conservation Area directly abuts more than 1,000 acres of other conserved land in Windham and Falmouth, including Lowell Preserve, North Falmouth Community Forest, and Blackstrap Hill Preserve, providing 20 miles of interconnected trails and five trailheads for public access. It has become part of the largest wildlife habitat and trail access corridor in the Greater Portland area, providing 2,000 acres of conserved land and a 30-mile trail network connecting Lowell Preserve, North Falmouth Community Forest, and Blackstrap Hill Preserve.

The funding to create the East Windham Conservation Area was about $3.7 million and included a $1 million grant from the Land for Maine’s Future initiative. In 2021, voters from Windham approved a $1.8 million conservation bond using open space impact fees and another $400,000 raised privately from public donations. A Land and Water Conservation Fund federal grant for $500,000 was obtained to pay for the infrastructure improvements at the site.

Activities offered at the site include hiking, running, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking and the property is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

The hiking event on March 8 is free to attend, but registration is required. To register, visit https://www.prlt.org/events and click on the Daylight Savings Time Hike. <

WCA surges to win middle school basketball title

By Ed Pierce

A champion is someone who gives everything they've got to win and it’s a perfect way to sum up Windham Christian Academy’s coed middle school basketball team.

The Windham Christian Academy Warriors defeated Greater
Portland Christian School to win the coed middle school
Maine Christian School Sports League championship at
Central Maine Community College in Auburn on Feb. 12.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

The WCA Warriors capped an incredible run by defeating Greater Portland Christian School, 40-29, in the Maine Christian School Sports League title game at Central Maine Community College in Auburn on Feb. 12. Made up of seventh- and eighth-grade students, WCA entered the MCSSL playoffs as the fifth seed and relied on determination and overcoming adversity to win the championship.

The MCSSL is a Christian school league and fielded 16 middle school basketball teams this season.

Whitney Coppersmith, Windham Christian Academy Athletic Director, said that throughout the regular season, WCA Coach Kayla Sinclair and Assistant WCA Coach Ron Regula made it a priority to develop every player, giving each student playing time and focusing on building strong fundamentals.

“Their emphasis on growth and teamwork helped the team continue to improve and gain confidence,” Coppersmith said. “As the season progressed, the players developed confidence, resilience, and trust in one another. Their commitment to improving and supporting each other was evident throughout the season, and they represented Windham Christian Academy with outstanding character, effort, and pride.”

Coppersmith said that WCA’s victory in the MCSSL championship game reflected the team’s steady improvement, teamwork, and commitment throughout the season.

To reach the championship game, Windham Christian defeated fourth-seed Pinetree Academy in the opening round, then knocked off the tournament’s top-seed, Highview Christian Academy to reach the title game against third-seeded Greater Portland Christian School.

Along with the WCA team winning the middle school basketball title, the MCSSL recognizes individual achievement through a league-voted All-Star selection process.

This season Windham Christian Academy had two middle school players, eighth graders Elsa Pearson and Noah Nevers, receive MCSSL Middle School Basketball All-Star honors. Pearson was also voted by the league as a Varsity Girls Basketball All-Star, an impressive accomplishment as an eighth grader competing at both the middle school and varsity levels.

During her first year of coaching basketball, Coach Sinclair helped guide the team to a middle school championship supported by Coach Regula. Now serving as an assistant coach, he continues to share his extensive experience and passion for the game, bringing more than 50 years of coaching experience to WCA at all levels.

The Windham Christian Academy included Noah Bennett, Toby Dupuis, Zach Friedlander, Arseniy Popov, Elsa Pearson, Noah Nevers, Piper Justice, Lana Martin, Lucas Stewart, Elijah Knights, Maisie Fox, Sunny Heath, Leah Sinclair, Haddie Coppersmith, and Brenna Wheeler. <

Cianchette announces campaign for State Senate District 26 seat

Kenneth “Kenny” Cianchette, 38, the founder of Erik’s Church in Windham, has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for State Senate District 26.

Kenneth 'Kenny' Cianchette, 38, the owner of
Erik's Church in Windham, has announced 
his candidacy for the Republican nomination
for State Senate District 26. 
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Cianchette says that he is running to prioritize Windham, Raymond, Casco, Frye Island, and Westbrook values. Given his vast support for the late Bill Diamond’s “Walk A Mile In Their Shoes” Foundation, he said his first mission will be to continue the fight against the failures of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services in protecting children under their care.

In his candidacy announcement video, Cianchette criticized State Senator Tim Nangle for refusing to honor a promise that Nangle made to Bill Diamond to sponsor legislation that would ensure real focus on this tragic issue.

As a common-sense Republican, Kenny’s positions are relatable to the community at large. He sees the fastest path to support Maine’s working class and retirees as increasing the homestead exemption to $500,000, eliminating income tax for all working Mainers, and revising the state’s energy policy to drastically cut rates. Most of all, Cianchette says he firmly believes that the role of serving as District 26 State Senator is to stand up for what is right, regardless of political party.

The State Senate District 26 race will be about two directly opposing positions, Cianchette said.

“In four years in the Senate, Tim Nangle has voted against protecting girls’ privacy and fair competition,” he said. “Tim Nangle has sponsored legislation to create new sales taxes to be levied by local municipalities. Senator Nangle has not proposed any actions to cut electricity costs which have skyrocketed in Maine and are among the highest in the nation. Worst of all, Senator Nangle not only failed to support legislation to reduce child deaths, but he was absent at the public hearing for it. A public hearing that took place within the committee on which he sits, and only his chair was vacant.”

A graduate of Cheverus High School and the University of Maine in Orono with a degree in economics, Cianchette worked as a project manager before opening Erik’s Church in 2018.

Cianchette is a lifelong Mainer and says that he wants to cut waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending to create genuine tax relief for working, and retired, Mainers. He firmly supports Title IX protections for Women and Girls.

“As a UMaine graduate in economics, I understand the only way to cut costs to electricity rates is to eliminate subsidies and corporate welfare for solar and wind projects, while encouraging policy to support clean energy generation to raise supply and to reduce consumer prices,” he said.

Key to his purpose for running, Cianchette says that he will work to ensure the mission that the late Bill Diamond started in restructuring the Office of Child and Family Services continues. He has pledged to work with, or hold accountable, the next governor on this vital issue, regardless of party affiliation. Legislative action will help, but executive action is necessary, Cianchette said.

“This November, there will be two vastly different candidates. Voters should look at the actions of both men, and their respective endorsers, and select a candidate based on shared values,” he said.

Cianchette says that his beliefs have not changed, his perseverance is unmatched, and his strength of conviction will bring back a sense of decency, and leadership, to the State Senate District 26 seat that the community was once proud of.

If you are interested in helping, supporting, or learning more about Kenny’s run for the Senate, please check out www.kennyforsenate.com or KennyForSenate on Facebook and Instagram. <

Raymond Select Board schedules election to fill vacant seat for June

By Ed Pierce

Members of the Raymond Select Board voted unanimously not to conduct a special election to fill a vacancy on the board but instead will schedule the election coinciding with Maine Primary Day voting in June.

The vacant seat on the Raymond Select Board
will be filled during a special election on June
9 at Jordan-Small Middle School. The vacancy
was created when voters removed Select Board
Chair Denis Morse by recall on Dec, 30.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

During a Select Board meeting on Feb. 3, board members decided to follow a recommendation made by Raymond Town Clerk Melanie Fernald in which an election will be held Tuesday, June 9.

Fernald said that the normal time frame to conduct an election is 100 days and includes a 40-day window for candidates to gather signatures from registered voters.

She said that if nomination papers were made available by the Raymond Town Clerk’s Office on Tuesday, March 3 and a deadline established to have the nomination and required signatures returned for verification by Friday, April 10, it would meet the 100-day window under Maine law.

The Select Board position was created by a special recall election conducted by the town on Dec. 30 in which voters removed Raymond Select Board Chair Denis Morse from office by a 282-260 vote margin. The term for the Select Board position vacated by Morse’s recall runs through June 2027, so the time that the elected candidate would be required to serve in office following the June election would be 12 months.

By voting to hold the election in June, Raymond Select Board members acknowledged that three board seats would be chosen including two for three-year terms and then one to serve out the remainder of what is left of Morse’s one-year term.

At a Raymond Select Board meeting in January to certify results of the recall election, Fernald said that under provisions outlined in the town’s recall ordinance adopted in 2012, an election should be scheduled 30 to 45 days after the Select Board certifies the results of the recall election.

“The ordinance doesn't require the Select Board to approve that date for the special election, just that the Clerk prepare and call the election,” Fernald said.

Given the very tight turnaround time prescribed by the ordinance compared to usual procedures, interested candidates in running for the Select Board vacancy would have had a shortened time to collect signatures on nomination papers containing more than 25 verified signatures from Raymond voters and the window for absentee voting would have to had been shortened as well, she said.

But Select Board members opted to delay finalizing a decision on scheduling the date for an election to fill the vacancy while awaiting clarification from the town attorney.

Raymond Interim Town Manager Glenn Michalowski advised the board that the town attorney said that waiting until the Town Meeting in June to hold an election to fill the vacancy does not exceed state regulations.

Members of the public told the board that scheduling an election in February at the earliest was too soon and would hamper voting, citing extremely slow mail delivery, vacationing residents not having enough time to vote by absentee balloting and a lack of time for potential candidates to become known by Raymond residents.

Several Raymond Select Board members said they voted to hold the election in June for the vacant seat because they believe every candidate for office in Raymond deserves a fair shake and a normal time frame for candidates to gather signatures and to submit a petition for being included on the ballot.

Raymond Select Board members exercise the town's executive and administrative powers, overseeing town functions through the appointed town manager, hiring town officials, managing highways, setting town fees, administering public health regulations, dealing with tax abatement appeals, implementing policy and serving town residents' needs. Select Board members are elected on a non-partisan basis and serve three year-terms in office.

Town bylaws specify that the Select Board shall deal with administrative services solely through the town manager and shall not give orders to any subordinates of the manager, either publicly or privately. This does not prevent the Select Board members from appointing committees or commissions of members, or of citizens to conduct investigations into the conduct of any official or department, or any matter relating to the welfare of the town. <

Fire Rescue Chief briefs councilors about emergency response system

By Ed Pierce

During the Windham Town Council meeting on Jan. 27, Windham Fire-Rescue Chief Brent Libby gave councilors an overview of the town’s emergency response system and examined department statistics from 2025.

Windham Fire Rescue Chief Brent Libby gave town
councilors an overview of the town's emergency response
system and examined department statistics from 2025
during the Windham Town Council meeting on Jan. 27.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

Libby said that Windham Fire-Rescue responded to a total of 4,363 calls for assistance in 2025, which is a 12.1 percent increase from the previous year. By comparison, in 2015 Windham Fire-Rescue responded to a total of 2,749 calls for assistance. During 2025, Emergency Medical Services amounted to 52.8 percent of the 4,363 calls.

“The most common calls were for general weakness, followed by respiratory issues such as shortness of breath and then cardiac concerns,” Libby said.

He reported that the average turnout time for firefighters and paramedics was 1 minute and 46 seconds and the average response time for crews was 8 minutes and 1 second. In 52.1 percent of calls for help, first responders arrived within 6 minutes.

The average patient age that first responders was 70 to 79 years old, Libby said.

According to Libby, Windham Fire-rescue crews spent a total of 9,415 hours in training sessions during 2025 and 3,446 classes.

Windham firefighters responded to 59 structure fires, alongside vehicle and outdoor fires during the year.

Crews from Windham also provided 203 mutual aid responses and asked for help from other nearby municipalities 72 times.

During 2025, Windham Fire-Rescue also performed fire hydrant coverage analysis and tanker‑service considerations for rural lake areas, Libby told councilors.

Friday was the day of the week with the most calls for assistance received in Windham in 2025 with 685, followed by Thursday with 653 calls and Monday with 624 calls.

Of the total calls that Windham Fire-Rescue responded to, Libby said that 315 were for alarms, 243 for severe weather, 590 were good intent calls and 269 were for motor vehicle accidents.

He also provided an overview for the council about Windham’s NIMS/Incident Command System 402 framework and explained how the town organizes emergency response during large‑scale incidents through the Incident Command System (ICS).

Libby said that the Windham Fire-Rescue Department continues operating as a combination system of full‑time, per‑diem, and paid‑on‑call members.

“Our team provides the fire and emergency medical services to the Town of Windham using a combination department,” Libby said.

That includes 20 Call Company members of which 17 Call Company members also work per-diem. Crews include a total of 22 Per-diem Firefighter-EMT's from out of town.

The Windham Fire-Rescue team has nine Call Company Fire-Police for Traffic Control; seven live-in college students; four full-time Firefighter-Paramedics; 12 full-time Firefighter-EMT's (basic/advanced).

The leadership team for the Fire-Rescue Department includes four full-time Shift Captains; three Deputy Chief's consisting of one Call Company Deputy Chief and two full-time Deputy Chiefs; one full-time Fire-Rescue Administrative Coordinator; and Libby, who serves as a full-time Fire-Rescue Chief.

Fire-Rescue services in Windham are provided through a combination of full time, part time/per-diem, and on-call employees to give quality EMS and fire protection to the community. The majority of Windham Fire-Rescue members are cross-trained in both firefighting and EMS services.

Libby said Windham operates fire stations in North Windham on Roosevelt Trial, on Falmouth Road in East Windham, and the Central Station at the Windham Public Safety Building on Gray Road. Libby told the council that the South Windham Fire Station on Maine Street is a unique shared operation with the Town of Gorham since the 1940s.

“That facility responds to both Windham and Gorham,” Libby said “We share that apparatus. The ladder truck that is there both towns pay 50-50 for. So it’s a really cool thing to have and has worked really well for many years. The personnel are members of both departments.<

 

Nangle introduces bill to support survivors of human trafficking

AUGUSTA – Last week, State Senator Tim Nangle, D-Windham, introduced legislation to ensure survivors of human trafficking in Maine can continue accessing essential support services after a prolonged and unexplained delay in federal funding.

State Senator Tim Nangle, D-Windham,
has introduced bills this year to ensure
survivors of human trafficking in Maine 
can continue accessing essential support
services after a prolonged and
unexplained delay in federal funding and
to formally recognize the 988 Suicide
and Crisis Lifeline in Maine statute.   
FILE PHOTO

Nangle’s proposal, LD 2136, “An Act to Support Victims of Trafficking in Maine in Response to Federal Funding Cuts,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services.

“When someone escapes trafficking, that moment of asking for help can be life-changing,” said Nangle. “Right now, because of another inexplicable failure at the federal level, we are effectively telling survivors they have to wait for safety. That is unacceptable. This bill makes sure people who have already endured unimaginable trauma can still get the support they need to be safe and start rebuilding their lives.”

LD 2136 would provide a one-year bridge to replace delayed federal funding that has supported Preble Street’s Anti-Trafficking Services program since 2013. The program has historically been funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime – funding that Congress approved and communities across the country rely on.

Preble Street’s most recent three-year federal grant expired on Sept. 30, 2025. Normally, the next grant opportunity would have opened in April, with new funds beginning Oct. 1. Instead, the U.S. Department of Justice delayed the grant competition for more than nine months and provided no public explanation. As a direct result of that gap, Maine’s largest provider of anti-trafficking services has been forced to begin wait-listing survivors.

That funding has helped Preble Street support 157 survivors across seven Maine counties in recent years. Services include assistance with housing, food, clothing, medical and mental health care, legal services and relocation when necessary.

Without this short-term state investment, survivors seeking help right now could face serious and lasting harm simply because of a federal administrative failure.

LD 2136 now faces further action in legislative committee.

On Thursday, Jan. 29, the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee unanimously voted to advance a bill from Senator Nangle to formally recognize the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Maine statute.

LD 1216, “An Act to Improve Behavioral Health Crisis Services and Suicide Prevention Services,” would establish 988 in state law as part of Maine’s crisis intervention framework.

“988 is already saving lives, but until now, it hasn’t had a permanent place in Maine law,” Nangle said. “By codifying 988 as the go-to lifeline in statute, we’re making a clear commitment that Mainers in crisis will continue to have access to this lifesaving service, even if federal support waivers. This bill lays the groundwork for a stronger, more coordinated crisis response system in the years ahead.”

As amended, LD 1216 formally defines the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in the section of law that governs the Department of Health and Human Services’ crisis intervention services. By placing 988 in statute, LD 1216 helps protect the long-term stability of the lifeline and creates a foundation for future legislation to strengthen coordination, awareness and the effectiveness of Maine’s crisis response system.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a simple, three-digit, nationwide number that connects individuals to compassionate, skilled support for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts, mental health-related distress or substance use-related concerns. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, people who call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org are connected to a national network of more than 200 local crisis centers that provide judgment-free support, crisis de-escalation, and connections to additional resources.

LD 1216 now awaits votes in the full Senate and House.

Senator Nangle is serving his second term in the Maine Senate, representing Casco, Frye Island, Raymond, Windham and part of Westbrook. He serves as Senate chair of the Transportation Committee and sits on the Health and Human Services Committee. <

RSU 14 announces Pre-K Lottery Program details

By Lorraine Glowczak

The path to academic success and lifelong learning often begins long before kindergarten. Research has proven that children who participate in early childhood programs strengthen important academic skills while also learning how to share, cooperate, and take on new challenges with confidence. These experiences help prepare them for a smooth start to kindergarten and beyond.

Quality early education gives all children a stronger
starting point, regardless of background. Families
interested in the RSU 14 Pre-K program are
encouraged to apply through the lottery, which
opened Feb. 1 and closes on April 1.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

It is for these reasons, and more, that RSU 14 participates in and offers a Pre-K program. This is a publicly funded, voluntary early education learning initiative that partners with area child-care centers to provide high-quality, affordable Pre-K options for local families.

Families interested in the RSU 14 Pre-K program are encouraged to apply through the lottery, which opened on Feb. 1 and closes on April 1, 2026. Children must be 4 years old by Oct. 15, 2026, and not yet of kindergarten age, and they must live in Windham or Raymond. Proof of residency is required. To complete the application process, families must submit the Pre-K Lottery Application Form and register online through Infinite Campus by April 1, 2026. Application links and detailed instructions can be found on the RSU 14 website at rsu14.org.

RSU 14 Assistant Superintendent Christine Frost-Bertinet reminds families that they have to provide the school with their child’s most recent immunization records.

“Families will want to review the district’s Immunization of Students Policy, JLCB in order to understand State of Maine requirements surrounding immunizations,” she said. “We know there can be a lot of information to review, so our district is here to help families with any questions about immunization requirements.”

Frost-Bertinet says that Windham and Raymond families will have the opportunity to identify any of the Pre-K programs as preferred locations during the lottery application process, regardless of where the family resides.

“We will do our best to place families in their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd preferred location, but this is not always possible due to spacing constraints,” she said. “In the event a Windham family is placed at Raymond Elementary School, the district will provide transportation from a centralized pick-up/drop-off location.”

The locations and spaces available include the following:

Placement locations

● Windham Primary School

○ 16 spaces

● A Child’s World

○ 26 spaces

● Space to Thrive

○ 16 spaces

● Little Log Cabin Montessori

○ 12 spaces

● Raymond Elementary School

○ 48 spaces

● Tu Casa

○ 10 spaces

By working with community partners such as those listed above, this school/community mixed delivery system can better provide high-quality, affordable Pre-K options for local families.

“This system allows us to offer a variety of program models to meet the diverse needs of our youngest learners,” Frost-Bertinet said. “By partnering with local providers, we can strengthen the entire community’s focus on early childhood education. We are always eager to work with other community partners who wish to get involved.”

Later this spring, there will be Pre-K Screening. Raymond families will attend screening at Raymond Elementary School (regardless of Pre-K placement) and Windham families will attend screening at Windham Primary School (regardless of Pre-K placement). The screening appointments will be communicated by the building principals.

To prepare for screening day, it is advised to dress your child in comfortable clothes and sneakers. The details of the day will include the following stations:

● Welcome Station (family check-in upon arrival)

● Block/Book Station (for children who are waiting to be screened)

● Motor Station

● Concepts Station

● Speech/Language Station

● Vision Screening Station

● Hearing Screening Station

● Height / Weight Station

● Nurse Consultation Station (as needed)

● Parent Questionnaire Station (opportunity for families to provide information)

“By participating in the screening, families help us ensure each child gets the best possible start in school.” Frost-Bertinet said.

With RSU14’s early childhood education services, families in Windham and Raymond have access to the resources needed to give their children the best possible start in life.

“Quality early education gives all children a stronger starting point, regardless of background.” Bertinet-Frost said.

For further information or questions, Frost-Bertinet encouraged families to contact Julie Raymond, the Early Childhood Education Coordinator for the district by emailing [email protected] or calling 207-655-8672, ext. 2715.

If an interpreter is needed for screening, please contact Kim Dubay at the central office by calling 207-892-1800, ext. 2014. <

EPA unveils Keddy Mill clean-up, demolition plans

By Ed Pierce

It’s been a painstakingly slow process, but it looks like there finally may be some movement in the long-awaited clean-up and demolition of the contaminated Keddy Mill in South Windham.

The long-awaited demolition and clean-up of the contaminated
Keddy Mill in South Windham by the Environmental
Protection Agency is expected to start this fall and will be
the first step in a process that could take up to fournyears
to remove hazardous chemicals and toxic materials from
the site. FILE PHOTO     

A note posted on the EPA website says that following regulatory review and revisions, the Pre-design Investigation Report for the mill was conditionally approved by EPA in August 2025. The results of that report will support development of the design to demolish and remove the mill complex.

Design planning including work schedule, Project Management Plan development and design of the mill building demolition is underway and is expected to be completed later this year. The EPA estimates that Removal Action implementation consisting of mill building demolition will commence following EPA approval of the design submittals and procurement of a construction contractor by late 2026 or early 2027.

Located at 7 Depot St. in South Windham, the Keddy Mill complex includes a 6.93-acre abandoned mill complex property adjacent to the Presumpscot River. The mill building was constructed in the early 1900s although a sawmill existed there previously.

The sawmill closed in 1822, and the Keddy Mill property was then used as a grist and carding mill. In 1875, the Sebago Wood Board Company acquired the mill site and constructed a pulp mill complex, which included a three-story main mill building, machine room, drying rooms, and a wood preparing house. Between the late 1800s and 1922 additional process buildings/facilities were added, including storehouses, a second railroad siding, the finishing and shipping building, a water tank, machine room, and engine room. The mill was used for pulp and box-board manufacturing through the 1940s.

In 1945, the Keddy Mill shifted from manufacturing paper to steel products such as heavy equipment buckets. Scrap metal was transported by rail cars to the mill and melted into steel billets, which were then used to manufacture steel parts. By the 1960s and early 1970s, manufacturing included flanges and fire suppression materials. EPA officials say that it was during this period that significant disposal of hazardous substances, including harmful PCBs, may have occurred at the site. A large oil-based fire in 1969 damaged the mill complex and destroyed several blast furnaces and by 1974, a scrap recycler launched operations in the mill building.

The property was used as a machine shop and for equipment storage until 1997.

Since 2014, the Keddy Mill site has been included on the EPA’s National Priority List, also known as the Superfund, recognizing it as contaminated and hazardous to human health.

In 2023, after years of conducting environmental studies, the EPA Superfund adopted a cleanup and remediation plan based upon an EPA Remedial Investigation Report, human health and ecological risk assessments, the Feasibility Study, and comments received on EPA's Proposed Plan during a 30-day public comment period.

“EPA’s cleanup plan for the Keddy Mill Superfund Site is a strong effort to ensure the health and safety of community members, protecting them for generations to come,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash at the time. “Cleaning up Superfund sites helps us ensure that no community, no family, and no child has to face exposure to chemicals and other dangerous substances in their day-to-day lives.”

The primary building contaminants which have been determined to exceed acceptable human health standards include polychorinated biphenals (PCBs) and asbestos.

The complex clean-up will take an additional two to four years following the demolition of the Keddy Mill building, EPA officials say.

The cleanup involves excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil and debris from the mill property; targeted treatment of soil in support of groundwater cleanup; treatment of groundwater contaminants and contaminated sediments from the Presumpscot River; and restoration of the portions of the Presumpscot River altered by remedial clean-up actions. Once that has been completed, the EPA will mandate land use restrictions to prevent exposure to site-related contaminants in groundwater and fish tissue until clean-up levels are met, and monitoring of groundwater and fish tissue to evaluate the achievement of cleanup levels, followed by Five-Year Reviews to assess the protectiveness of the remedy.

EPA’s Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex, uncontrolled, or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the country to protect human health and the environment.

Total cost of the Keddy Mill clean-up and demolition and long-term monitoring will run about $17 million. <

Windham Town Council establishes committee to oversee recreational properties

By Ed Pierce

Following a discussion last month with Presumpscot Regional Land Trust representatives about renaming the Lowell Preserve and East Windham Conservation Area, along with managing future development of those recreation areas, members of the Windham Town Council voted unanimously on Jan. 27 to establish an East Windham Steering Committee to oversee those sites.

From left, Windham Town Council members Katie Cook,
Maggie Terry, David Nadeau and Mark Morrison discuss
a proposal to establish an East Windham Steering
Committee to oversee recreational properties at Lowell
Preserve and the East Windham Conservation Area in
conjunction with the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE   

Windham Town Manager Bob Burns said that he worked with town staff in formulating an outline for the new committee. He said the committee’s purpose is to guide the process toward creating a vision and management plan for the combined parcels that comprise the East Windham Conservation Area and the Lowell Preserve and to provide ongoing oversight of the maintenance of operation of the property.

“This steering committee meets the concerns that I’ve heard of,” Burns said.

Membership of the new committee will consist of not fewer than seven, and not more than 11 volunteers from local businesses, civic organizations, town government and the general population, and will work in cooperation with the Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT), and Town of Windham Director of Parks and Recreation, and other town employees designated to assist.

Burns said that committee members shall not be required to be residents of the town, but be able to demonstrate a connection by residence, employment, business interest, or other civic and community organization affiliation.

Among the committee members may include, but not be limited to, representatives of the following outdoor recreation, education, economic development, public health, and conservation interests including a member of the Town Council; a Windham Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee member; a Windham Natural Resource Advisory Committee member; a member from the Windham Economic Development Corporation; a member of the Greater Portland Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association; a member of the Windham Drifters Snowmobile Club; a member of the RSU 14 Katahdin Program; a member of the Little Duck Pond Road Association; a member of the public with interest and experience in hunting; and up to two members of the public with interest and experience in hunting, trail running, hiking, education, public health, conservation or nature education.

According to Burns, the committee’s responsibilities will be to seek public input and recommend a new name that unifies the shared character and use of property; to develop an Request for Proposal and select a firm to assist in the establishment of a Master Plan to guide the town and the land trust in the development and management of this property for the years to come.

He said committee members will also assist the selected firm in the development of the Master Plan for the sites, present the recommended plan to the Windham Town Council for adoption, and meet at least once a year, or as needed, after the Master Plan has been adopted, to review the plan and progress, provide feedback to the Windham Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, and to ensure the property continues to have broad collaboration.

In the outline approved by the council, the East Windham Steering Committee shall select a Chairperson from its membership, which should not be the Windham Town Council representative. The Chair shall have the authority to convene meetings of the committee, which shall be conducted in accordance with Maine’s Freedom of Access Law with due notice to its members.

The East Windham Steering Committee shall adopt other reasonable rules of procedure as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of its business while allowing for public accountability and due process, Burns said.

After a brief discussion, councilors opted to defer making a choice of whom to nominate to represent the council on the committee until its Feb.10 meeting.

Among other topics and presentations, councilors also voted to appoint Melissa Young of Windham, who currently is an alternate to the Windham Planning Board, to fill the existing Planning Board vacancy. She will serve until the term ends on Feb. 15, 2027. <

 

Nangle introduces legislation to keep Maine veterans housed

AUGUSTA – State Senator Tim Nangle, D-Windham, has introduced legislation to help Maine veterans stay in their homes and prevent homelessness.

State Senator Tim Nangle of Windham
has introduced legislation to provide
critical assistance to help veterans
overcome barriers to stable housing 
and avoid homelessness.
FILE PHOTO 

Nangle’s LD 2135, “An Act to Provide Funding to Keep Maine Veterans Housed,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Maine Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs.

“When someone serves our country, the very least we can do is make sure they’re not worrying about where they’ll sleep at night,” Nangle said. “Housing is stability, it’s safety and it’s the foundation for everything else. This bill helps ensure Maine veterans can live with the dignity and security they’ve earned.”

The LD 2135 bill would support the Veterans Flex Fund – an already successful program led by Preble Street and the Maine Homeless Veterans Action Committee, which includes the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services, Volunteers of America, Vets Inc., Bread of Life Ministries and others. The program provides small but critical assistance to help veterans overcome barriers to stable housing, such as covering unexpected rental costs, offering incentives to landlords and conducting outreach to connect veterans with safe, affordable homes.

In his testimony at the public hearing, Dan Hodgkins of Preble Street emphasized to legislators that these efforts directly translate into housing for veterans, saying landlord incentives “allow case workers to quickly secure housing for homeless Veterans, as it separates them from other applicants in a competitive housing market.”

Hodgkins said that additional funding “would support landlord engagement for housing homeless Veterans, a critical piece of ending Veteran homelessness in Maine.”

David Patch, President of Maine Veterans in Need agreed with Hodgkins.

“As someone who has sat with veterans in their cars in the winter, walked through encampments in the woods and helped people navigate the system one step at a time, I can say this with confidence: Preble Street's work saves lives, and this funding helps keep that work going.” Patch said.

According to the organization VA Maine, some 236 homeless veterans in Maine found permanent housing during 2025, which is about a 10 percent increase from 2024.

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs says about 52,000 veterans in the United States were without permanent housing in 2025 which amounts to a seven-year high. Most homeless veterans experience a complex set of factors influencing all homelessness including extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income and access to health care. A large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, which are compounded by a lack of family and social support networks. Additionally, military occupations and training are not always transferable to the civilian workforce, placing some veterans at a disadvantage when competing for employment.

The VA believes community-based allies, such as the ones cited in Nangle’s bill, can leverage VA resources – and their own assets – to expand veterans’ access to affordable housing, meaningful employment, household items, transportation resources and a wide range of other services.

Nangle’s proposal would bring more attention to the issue of veteran homelessness and will serve to further educate the public about how solutions can be found to overcome this problem facing Maine and will act to assist communities to track and quickly house homeless veterans through coordinated entry systems.

LD 2135 legislation now faces further action in committee.

Senator Nangle is serving his second term in the Maine Senate, representing Casco, Frye Island, Raymond, Windham and part of Westbrook. He serves as Senate chair of the Transportation Committee and sits on the Health and Human Services Committee. <

Windham accepting applications for watershed protection grants

By Ed Pierce

The Town of Windham is now accepting applications for Watershed Protection Grants.

The Town of Windham is now accepting applications for
Watershed Protection Grants for projects within the town
that promote community-based efforts to protect and restore
diverse natural resources. Preference will be shown toward
projects with priority watersheds, as well as projects that
promote the sharing of equipment, knowledge and other
resources with other non-profit area groups such as those
who remove milfoil and other invasive plants from local
bodies of water. FILE PHOTO 
  

According to Windham Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator Mary Wicklund, the purpose of the Watershed Protection Grant Program is to provide small grants for volunteer and educational organizations to complete projects within the town that promote community-based efforts to protect and restore diverse natural resources.

Each year, the Windham Town Council funds a grant program for protecting and preserving local watersheds.

Wicklund said that preference will be shown toward projects within priority watersheds as well as projects that promote the sharing of equipment, knowledge, and other resources with other non-profit groups in the Town.

Completed applications must be received by the Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator by Monday, March 2.

Applicant interviews will be conducted between 6 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. More details will be sent to applicants following an application submission.

Watershed Protection Grant application forms are available on the Town’s website at: https://windhammaine.us/DocumentCenter/View/11390/Windham-Watershed-Protection-Grant-Application-2025- or from the Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator.

Examples of past watershed grants include funding for removing invasive milfoil plants from Collins Pond, funding for training volunteers to test water quality throughout the spring and summer in Windham, funding for the ongoing maintenance of Hopkins Dam, and the Forest Lake Association spent 230 volunteer hours on maintaining, and remediating two sites as identified in a Forest Lake NPS Watershed Survey to prevent stormwater from washing gravel road material and water sand directly into Forest Lake.

Watersheds are areas of land where runoff from rain and snow drains into a lake, stream, river or wetland. Water constantly travels over the land’s surfaces that include farmland, lawns and city streets, on its course to a waterway. When it rains, water runs over the surface picking up any pollutants that are on the way. Small amounts of motor oil, pet waste, pesticides or litter are multiplied along the journey to the nearest waterway.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, healthy watersheds provide many ecosystem services including, but not limited to nutrient cycling, carbon storage, erosion/sedimentation control, increased biodiversity, soil formation, wildlife movement corridors, water storage, water filtration, flood control, food, timber and recreation, as well as reduced vulnerability to invasive species, the effects of climate change and other natural disasters.

The EPA says that these goods and services are essential to social, environmental and economic well-being.

The wide array of critical ecosystem services provided by healthy watersheds is frequently undervalued when making land use decisions. Due to the complexity of natural systems and economic precedents, it is difficult to assign a dollar amount to a particular ecosystem service. However, there is a large body of research and evidence to support the fact that intact healthy ecosystems avoid costly restoration and ecosystem service replacement and provide long-term economic opportunities and jobs.

Some healthy watershed ecosystem services include:

** Improved water quality. Natural landscapes and floodplains filter pollutants from point and nonpoint sources, promote nutrient cycling, and help retain sediment.

** Carbon storage opportunities. Watersheds with intact natural land cover and soil resources can hold and store carbons thereby offsetting dangerous greenhouse gas emissions.

** Increased resilience in the face of climate change threats. Intact floodplains enable healthy watersheds to be better adapted to more extreme weather patterns and changes in precipitation associated with climate change.

** Reduced risk for invasive species colonization. Naturally functioning ecosystems are more resilient and can favor indigenous species, helping them out-compete invasive species.

For questions or to learn more about Windham’s Watershed Protection Grants, send an email to Wicklund at [email protected] or call 207-777-1948. <