Mountain Division Trail project in Windham left off new Maine Three Year Plan

By Ed Pierce

After years of discussion, studies and surveys, the final segment to extend the Mountain Division Trail from Windham to Westbrook is still awaiting addition to the Maine Department of Transportation’s Three Year Plan.

A map shows the current route of the Mountain Division
Trail from Standish to Windham. Funding for extending
the trail from Windham to Westbrook was not included
in the state's Three-Year Plan formulated by the Maine
Department of Transportation. FILE PHOTO  

During a meeting of the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System’s Advisory Committee last fall, PACTS members voted to recommend the project to be included on MaineDOT’s Three-Year Plan spanning 2026-2027-2028. That was a significant development as PACTS studied the network of trails in the Greater Portland area, conducted surveys of the general public, actively sought and received public support, identified gaps in the current regional trail network and development opportunities, prioritized projects, set goals for future development, formulated recommendations, and started to identify funding sources for the projects.

In all, PACTS identified 50 projects and rank-ordered assigned priorities. The Mountain Division Trail section running from Route 202 in South Windham Bridge Street in Westbrook was ranked seventh overall. The $16.2 million project to extend the Mountain Division Trail from its current end at Main Street (Route 202), in Windham, and extend the trail about 5 miles south to Bridge Street in Westbrook was left off the latest update of projects for MaineDOT’s new Three Year Plan and would have created a continuous, nearly 10-mile off-road bicycle and pedestrian transportation link running from Standish to Westbrook.

In 2012, a preliminary design and draft report for the Mountain Division Trail using old railroad beds and tracks was developed and submitted to the MDOT, the City of Westbrook, and Town of Windham for initial review but the project was put on hold because of insufficient funding. The project sat dormant for a decade until in 2022 the Town of Windham applied to the MDOT’s Quality Community Program, seeking funding for the design and construction of the multi-use trail.

A $450,000 grant for engineering and design work for the project was obtained in 2023, with a report submitted to the Maine Department of Transportation upon its completion.

Once funded by MaineDOT, project work will include new pavement, gravel, curbing, drainage, signing and striping, retaining walls, fencing, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons located at the trail crossings on Bridge Street in Westbrook, Depot Street in Windham, and Main Street (Route 202) in Windham.

Plan specifics include installing a prefabricated steel pedestrian bridge over Mallison Falls Road with a structural subconsultant hired to complete the design of the bridge. MaineDOT will hire a bridge firm to evaluate the Inkhorn Brook and Colley Wright Brook stone arch culverts and impacts to the project will be further evaluated as trail work progresses.

A final plan version was submitted to MaineDOT in July 2024 and recommended bicycle trail design speeds between 12 to 30 mph, with a speed of 18-mph being generally accepted in relatively flat areas. Because of the adjacent near rail of the railroad track, the plan called for the near edge of the trail to be set back a minimum of 15 feet from the near rail.

Plans also propose introducing vertical curves to minimize drainage and property impacts, as well as to improve the trail construction. It prefers that the trail width be 10 feet although reduced to 8 feet minimum for short distances where a physical barrier or right of way does not allow for the full width of the trail. The proposed shoulder widths in the plan are 3 to 5 feet.

If accepted as part of the Maine Three-Year Plan by MaineDOT, the subgrade and surface of the trail will be graded to drain away from the rail line unless adequate drainage is provided by the trail developer to prevent trail runoff and providing that there are no impediments to normal rail line maintenance.

Equestrian use will be allowed on the proposed trail and snowmobile passage may be accommodated by removing the middle bollard of the trail during winter months.

The proposal includes sidewalk reconstruction along Main Street (Route 202), Bridge Street, Depot Street, Pierce Street, and Stillwater Drive and rectangular rapid flashing beacons to be installed at the mid-block crossing located for Main Street (Route 202) in Windham, Depot Street in Windham and Bridge Street in Westbrook.

In November 2023, voters statewide approved the $30 million Maine Trails Bond and funding for the new multi-use trail could be derived from that bond. Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands will administer $30 million with about $7.5 million per year in competitive grant funding to towns, organizations, and clubs to support the design, maintenance, and construction of trails, prioritizing accessibility and sustainable design standards. The bond provides equal access for all types of trail projects, including for motorized trail use, non-motorized uses, and multi-use trails; and to help leverage other sources of public and private funding to support trail projects in Maine.

The Mountain Division Trail itself follows the former Portland and Ogdensburg Railway. When Maine Central Railroad originally acquired the line, the name was changed to the Mountain Division Rail Line and it was originally built to connect the port of Portland with the St. Lawrence Seaway in Ogdensburg, New York with a spur connecting to Montreal. By the time that its construction was finished, there was more competition, and it became difficult for the railroad to be profitable. Passenger service for the rail line was suspended in 1958 with freight service halted in 1983 and by 1994, all rail service on the former Mountain Division Rail Line in Maine was abandoned.

A public hearing was conducted by the state in May 2021 regarding a feasibility study to replace the existing rail tracks with a paved, multi-use trail. Under federal law, if railroad tracks are removed, the corridor needs to be railbed meaning that it is available to be converted back for railroad use if needed at any point in the future.

The first mile-and-a-half of the proposed trail leading south from South Windham is a flat walking path along an undeveloped rail bed. The remaining 3.5 miles ending on Bridge Street near the Westbrook Community Center is slightly more rugged and contains railroad tracks which would need to be removed to finish the project.

Currently the Standish-to-Windham segment of the Mountain Division Trail runs for 5.6 miles. It starts at the parking lot behind the South Windham Fire Station, and crosses Route 202, where the 10-foot-wide paved trail follows the unused rail tracks for 1.6 miles to a crossing over the Presumpscot River. Just past the Presumpscot River bridge, a side trail heads downhill past Shaw Park and to a bridge just above Gambo Dam. The trail continues west for 3 miles to a gate and then continues up a hill as a gravel path for 1.2 miles to the trailhead at the south shore of Sebago Lake. <

Author Nancy Collins brings humor and heart to upcoming library appearance

By Masha Yurkevich

Writers and readers alike may find inspiration in the story of Brunswick resident Nancy Collins, a former educator whose winding career path eventually led her to writing a memoir later in life.

Maine author Nancy Collins will appear at
the Windham Public Library from 6 to 7
p.m. Wednesday, April 1 to discuss her
new book 'The Perfectly Imperfect
Potter.'  SUBMITTED PHOTO 

After retiring during the COVID-19 pandemic, Collins has embraced both her creative side and philosophy centered on accepting life’s imperfections, which led her to write a memoir, “The Perfectly Imperfect Potter” over the span of 10 years. She will be talking about her memoir at the Windham Public Library from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1.

Collins confesses that she never saw herself as a writer. She first studied Interior Design at the University of Connecticut, though she admits she never found her footing in that field. She returned to school to earn a degree in computer science from Norfolk State University in Virginia, where her interests continued to evolve as she noticed growing concerns among college students, prompting her to pursue a master’s degree in counseling at Old Dominion University, followed by a doctorate in education.

“When I was very young, my mother started taking me to the library every other week. I especially remember Nancy Drew mystery stories. In much later years, I fell for British writers,” says Collins. “I never thought about writing. I was more interested in arts, like painting and pottery. I also loved the outdoors.”

Collins’ first attempt at writing was inspired by her sister Jo Anne.

“Decades ago, when my sister Jo Anne and her husband were taking a three-year-long sailing trip, she mailed me fascinating stories about their experiences. I thought it would be interesting if I could write a book based on her,” says Collins. “I worked on the book for about a year and then totally gave up on it. I was not interested in sitting still.”

However, when Collins’ friend Ann invited her to join a writing group about 12 years ago, things began to change.

“I did not really have time or much interest, but I decided to give it a try,” says Collins. “Once a month, I submitted a story I had written about one of my experiences. I started thinking that it was fun and I could do it.”

A turning point came when Collins realized that readers found her stories funny.

“I like making people happy,” she says.

Since then, humor has become the central inspiration behind her work, shaping both her voice as well as the themes she explores.

“When I discovered an article in a Martha Stewart magazine titled, “Wabi Sabi Your Life,” I was hooked,” says Collins. “The idea of wabi sabi is that imperfection is fine. It is OK to be average.”

“The Perfectly Imperfect Potter” begins when Collins climbs aboard an old wooden boat and her life as a “live-aboard” begins. She leaves behind her wayward husband and their over-mortgaged house and becomes the pilot of her own power boat, the First Class. Hoping to create a perfect life for herself, she tries pottery lessons and immediately becomes hooked on clay. She soon discovers that playing in mud is only the beginning of her new life.

In Part One of the book, Collins says that she is focused on being as perfect as possible. By Part Two, she changes her vision to imperfection accepted.

“In the first half of my book, I show how I wanted to appear to be perfect, as if sculpting flawless clay pottery,” says Collins. “In the second half, I was living wabi sabi; I was learning to live with imperfection.”

Her “The Perfectly Imperfect Potter” is made up of two parts, “Perfection Expected” and “Imperfection Accepted.”

“In chapter 1, my second husband left me for another woman. So, I decided to buy an old wooden boat and move onto it. The next chapters contained crazy pottery lessons, a new cat, and a better boyfriend,” Collins says. “In Part Two, I learned about the philosophy of Wabi Sabi and how to accept Imperfection. I moved to Maine with my third husband where we discovered skating and islands. and very interesting people.”

Collins currently lives in Maine where she taught at Southern Maine Community College for about 10 years. When COVID occurred, she retired. She is now enjoying the best life in Brunswick.

Choice of attending her book discussion at the library is in-person or virtually by ZOOM. Call or email the Windham Public Libraty’s Help Desk at 207-892-1908 ext. 5 or [email protected] to learn more about the event. Transportation may be available from Age Friendly Windham by calling 207-892-4649. <

New restrictions in Maine on fluorescent light bulbs with mercury

AUGUSTA – Consumers and retailers in Maine are no longer allowed to sell or distribute mercury-containing fluorescent light bulbs.

Consumers and retailers in Maine
cannot sell or distribute mercury-
containing fluorescent light bulbs
to reduce mercury pollution and
safeguard public health in the state.
COURTESY PHOTO  

This decision follows the enactment of a ban on mercury-containing fluorescent light bulbs enacted by the Maine Legislature in 2023, aimed at reducing mercury pollution and protecting public health and the environment.

The legislation prohibits offering for sale, selling, or distributing as a new manufactured product any compact fluorescent mercury-containing light bulb or linear fluorescent mercury-containing light bulb and the ban took effect in Maine as of Jan. 1, 2026.

The ban affects a variety of lighting products, including but not limited to linear fluorescent mercury-containing light bulbs, compact fluorescent mercury-containing light bulbs, as well as black light, high-intensity discharge, ultraviolet, and neon mercury-containing light bulbs.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) urges consumers and retailers to review the details of this new ban.

Common mercury-added light bulbs include, but are not limited to, compact fluorescent (CFL), linear fluorescent (straight, circline and u-tubes), neon lights, black lights, UV lights, and high intensity discharge (HID) bulbs. High intensity discharge bulbs (HID) are commonly used in security, outdoor and warehouse lighting. HID bulbs are sometimes used indoors in commercial settings. Mercury vapor, metal halide, high pressure sodium are all types of HID bulbs.

These HID bulbs are also used in vehicle headlamps and can be identified by their characteristic bluish-white tint when lit. If you are unsure whether a light bulb contains mercury, look for the letters "Hg" (the elemental symbol for mercury) on the bulb. Some light bulbs may also be labeled with the words "contain mercury."

Mercury is used in a variety of light bulbs. It is useful in lighting because it contributes to the bulbs’ efficient operation and life expectancy. Fluorescent and other mercury-added bulbs are generally more energy efficient and last longer than incandescent and other equivalent forms of lighting, except for light-emitting diode (LED) lamps.

For further information, including answers to frequently asked questions about the effected products, please visit the DEP’s website: Recycling Mercury-added Fluorescent and other Lamps, Waste Management, Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

To report concerns or complaints about noncompliance, individuals can contact Courtney Hafner, Environmental Specialist at the Maine DEP, by phone at 207-314-3354 or via email at [email protected]. <

In the public eye: WHS teacher believes music can be a powerful vessel for learning

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

By Ed Pierce

Growing up in Gorham, Simon Roussel discovered his passion for teaching music in high school. As a Gorham High student, he performed on trumpet in the Portland Youth Symphony Orchestra, as well as district and all-state bands and the experience convinced him to pursue a career in music. Roussel now serves as the instrumental music teacher at Windham High School and says music can be a resource that every student can benefit from.

Simon Roussel is in his third year of serving as the
instrumental music teacher at Windham High School.
He discovered his passion for teaching music while
still in high school and says music is a resource that
every student can benefit from.
SUBMITTED PHOTO    

Now in his third year of teaching at WHS, Roussel also directs the school’s orchestra and concert band and teaches a Modern Band class and a Piano Lab course.

As an instrumental music teacher, he teaches proper methods for playing instruments, including technical skill, reading music, and musicality. He creates structured and engaging lesson plans and sets goals for student progress while assessing student progress and offering constructive feedback. Roussel also oversees music selection for different levels of student expertise.

“The best part of my job is getting to see the growth students have in my classes over multiple years,” Roussel said. “As a music teacher, I have the unique opportunity to have the same students for all four years of high school. Getting to see the growth students have academically, but also socially and emotionally, is remarkable.”

He said that the most challenging aspect of his work is having to be on his “A-game” all the time.

“You are always responsible for everyone in your room, and you have to be ready for pretty much anything all the time,” Roussel said. “You are responsible for every decision in your classroom, no matter how small. It can be really fatiguing to be so alert and constantly making decisions.”

Following graduation from Gorham High School in 2019, Roussel attended the University of Maine. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education Summa Cum Laude in 2023 and was hired for the WHS instrumental music teaching job soon thereafter.

“I applied for the Windham High School position because the responsibilities aligned with the type of music position I wanted to teach,” he said. “I also knew RSU 14 is a great school district and was ecstatic when I was offered the position.”

According to Roussel, there is a common perception that music is less valuable in education than other subjects, but he believes there are so many skills learned through music that extend well beyond the rehearsal room.

“Playing an instrument or learning to sing is incredibly hard and becoming proficient at it takes hours of hard work and dedication. Anyone who has developed a modicum of skill at an instrument has had to develop the ability to persevere,” he said. “Music is a vessel for learning to push through challenges and frustration, a skill we can all benefit from at any stage of life. As an art form, music is also a vessel for emotional expression. Students can learn how to express themselves healthily through performance. There is also research concluding that playing an instrument or singing can improve cognitive functioning and learning. Music is being used in therapy with stroke patients to help recover motor skills because of its ability to activate neural pathways across the entire brain. Music is extremely powerful.”

He said that one of the most memorable moments in teaching at Windham High School was its most recent concert in December.

“Right after Band and Orchestra finished their performances, all I could think about was how proud I was of them,” Roussel said. “I was thinking back to the very first concert I conducted at Windham in the Fall 2023. Many of the same students were on that stage but they sounded like a completely different ensemble, and that is all because of the hard work and effort that they have put in over the past few years.”

To that end. Roussel says he thinks people often underestimate how much work goes into a performance.

“Parents and members of the community usually only see the final product,” he said. “It takes months of hard work and practice to prepare the music to that level. On day one of working on music, you wouldn't recognize it as a song, but by the end, it's polished and beautiful. The most important thing I have learned while working at Windham High School is to remember that growth happens over months and years, not in a single day. There will always be good days and bad days, but if you can remember where you started and where you are now, none of that matters.” <

Windham Town Council receives update about potential acquisition of middle school

By Ed Pierce

Windham Town Council members received an update about committee plans for possible repurposing uses for Windham Middle School once the building becomes vacant in the fall of 2027.

Members of the Windham Town Council received an update
during a meeting on March 10 about recommendations
being formulated by a committee for the town about how
to best repurpose Windham Middle School after the new
Windham Raymond Middle School opens.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE 

Former Windham Town Manager Barry Tibbetts, who serves as chair of the town’s Middle School Advisory Committee, said the group has met 12 times since its creation in July 2024. He said the committee looked at documented engagement studies from previous years about creating a town community center and members examined options for how to best use the building should town councilors vote to acquire it from RSU 14 when construction of the new Windham Raymond Middle School is completed.

Tibbetts said the committee has worked with an architect and design team and toured the Westbrook and Gorham Community Centers to see how those towns adapted old school buildings for community center facilities.

Based upon that and ongoing discussions about current municipal buildings, Tibbetts said acquiring the middle school building provides a unique opportunity for Windham to address shortfalls in the current municipal buildings, each of which carries long-term replacement costs and short-term maintenance and repair costs. The committee supports consolidating town hall offices, parks and recreation, social services, food pantry, clothing and medical closets and the library to the middle school building.

“The structure is good and we then looked at how do you take what we currently have, put it in there and be cost effective,” Tibbetts said. “The old middle school has 80,000 square feet of available space. After reviewing various municipal functions, it was determined that a number of municipal services could be located at this site for a fraction of the cost of renovating or replacing current buildings.”

Tibbetts said the site also includes space to construct a town pool and have adequate parking available. He said the building can be acquired by the town from RSU 14 for just $1.

Councilors attending the meeting took a straw vote to indicate their interest in possibly acquiring the middle school building even if it remains to be determined how to best proceed after that and all options are explored. All councilors said they were interested but wanted to hear more about costs and other issues before formally committing to proceeding.

“We want to make sure that we take advantage of the opportunity but at the same time balance it out against unintended consequences,” Windham Town Council Chair Mark Morrison said.

What happens next is the town will conduct a public survey to fine-tune options for the building, determine costs, instruct town staff to explore possible grants or alternative funding resources and create a timeline for the council to review.

During the meeting, councilors also appointed Pierre Paradis, a RSU 14 Katahdin Program staff member, to the East Windham Steering Committee and appointed Catherine Miller to an additional three-year term on the Library Board of Trustees to expire Feb. 15, 2029.

Councilors also reappointed Chris McDonald to the Zoning Board of Appeals for an additional three-year term to end February 15, 2029, and reappointed Francesco Farinella to the Zoning Board of Appeals for an additional three-year term to end Feb. 15, 2029.

The council also issued a proclamation formally commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America in 2026, honoring the courage and sacrifice of Windham’s veterans and active-duty service members, and expressing deep appreciation for the ongoing efforts of the Windham Historical Society in preserving the town’s history.

Councilors encouraged all Windham residents to participate in the Memorial Day commemorations on May 25 and to take part in Windham Summerfest on June 20 in celebration of community, history, and national heritage. <

Threat to Maine’s ash trees grows as emerald ash borer spreads

By Dina Mendros

Maine’s natural beauty is one of the state’s defining features. From marshes and lakes to deep woodlands and tree‑lined neighborhoods, the landscape is central to the state’s identity. But one beloved group of trees is now facing the same fate as the American elm and chestnut: ash trees are rapidly disappearing.

The emerald ash borer is an invasive beetle from Asia that
has already killed hundreds of millions of ash trees across
North America and is now decimating ash and elm trees in
multiple counties across the state, including in Lakes
Region communities. COURTESY PHOTO     

The culprit is the emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive beetle that has already killed hundreds of millions of ash trees across North America. First detected in the United States in 2002 in Michigan – likely arriving in wooden packing materials from Asia – the pest has since spread to 37 states and six Canadian provinces. Maine confirmed its first EAB detection in York County in 2018, and the insect has since been found in multiple counties across the state, including in Lakes Region communities.

"Unfortunately, there is no stopping the spread. That’s been learned from the long history of this insect,” said Michael Parisio, forest entomologist with the Maine Forest Service. “It has marched across North America.”

The emerald ash borer is tiny – a metallic green beetle less than half an inch long – but its larvae are lethal. They tunnel beneath the bark and feed on the tree’s vascular tissue, cutting off the flow of water and nutrients.

Signs of infestation include D‑shaped exit holes, S‑shaped larval galleries beneath the bark, Woodpecker damage, Crown dieback and sprouts emerging from the trunk or base.

Once infested, an ash tree has a 95 percent chance of dying, according to Vermont Invasives. In Maine, EAB has been confirmed in parts of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Oxford, Penobscot, and York counties, as well as northern Aroostook County. Because the insect can be present for years before detection, the true range could be larger.

In Raymond and Windham, the decline is easy to spot.

“Anywhere and everywhere you can see the ash trees – they’re losing their bark and they’re all gonna die,” said Travis Corson of TLC Tree Service, LLC. “There’s not a lot we can do about it.”

Parisio acknowledges that in areas where emerald ash borer is already present, options are limited.

“Most of our focus and energy now is toward long‑term management,” he said, describing the approach taken by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry. The agency is now looking ahead to “what we’re going to do after EAB has passed through in the killing front, as we call it, or the initial wave has passed through. What’s that future forest going to look like?”

To preserve ash trees as a species, Maine DACF is taking significant steps. To protect select ash stands small pockets of ash are being treated with insecticides to maintain seed sources and preserve genetic diversity. It also is releasing biological controls by introducing tiny parasitic wasps – natural predators of EAB from its native range. These wasps locate EAB larvae beneath the bark and lay their eggs on them. “Over the winter, something out of the movie Alien happens, but on a much smaller scale,” notes Vermont Invasives.

Residents play a crucial role in spotting new infestations. Parisio encourages anyone who notices signs of emerald ash borer activity to report it at tinyurl.com/52kvfx7k.

For property owners who have ash trees, the Maine DACF recommends coming up with a plan now. A proactive plan, the department says, “empowers you to make informed decisions about your property or community.”

Plan components for property owners would include staying informed about known EAB locations, which can be done through websitemaine.gov/eab; identifying ash trees on their property and assessing their value; determining whether their trees are on public or private land, and check for municipal EAB plans; estimating costs for removal, replacement, or treatment using local arborists or online tools.

“Once you have determined your investment in ash and considered your budget, you can develop a plan for which trees will be removed, replaced or treated with insecticides when emerald ash borer arrives,” the Maine DACF says.

For more details about emerald ash borer in Maine, visit maine.gov/eab. <

Cumberland County continues to increase median sales prices, despite dip in units sold in February

Sales prices for homes continue to increase in Cumberland County despite a drop in home sales when compared to February 2025.

Yvonne Myer

According to recent statistics released by Maine Listings, median sales prices increased by 4.46 percent in February, rising from $526,500 to $555,000 when compared to the same time period last year.

“Although February saw fewer homes sold compared to the same time last year, the continued rise in median sales prices suggests the Cumberland County market is moving toward a more stable and sustainable pace,” said Yvonne Myer, 2026 President of the Greater Portland Board of REALTORS® (GPBR). “Our REALTOR® members analyze market data not only across the county but within each individual community, where trends can differ significantly. Buyers and sellers should work closely with a local REALTOR® who understands neighborhood-level dynamics to navigate today’s market and make informed real estate decisions.”

While sales prices increased, the number of units sold decreased by 11.95 percent in February. Units sold in Portland, Cumberland and Scarborough were all down this past month, while Casco, Gorham and Westbrook all saw an uptick in the number of units sold when compared to the same time frame last year.

GPBR will continue to monitor inventory levels and price fluctuations throughout the area. The February 2026 market statistics (attached) are from Maine Real Estate Information System, Inc. (d/b/a Maine Listings). Data reflects median sold prices for single-family homes reported as sold in February 2026.

About the Greater Portland Board of REALTORS®

The Greater Portland Board of REALTORS® serves as a resource for local real estate professionals, advocating for policies that promote the right to own, use, and transfer real property. Through education and community engagement, we strive to uphold the highest standards of integrity and competency in real estate. <

Loon Echo Land Trust secures permanent conservation of 26 acres in Naples

The Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) has announced the permanent conservation of 26 acres of undeveloped forestland along the Muddy River and Lake House Road in Naples. Robert “Bob” Hennick Sr. and his family donated the land to LELT to ensure the public can enjoy it for generations to come.

Loon Echo Land Trust has conserved 26 acres of undeveloped
forestland along the Muddy River and Lake House Road in
Naples following a donation of the property from Robert
'Bob' Hennick Sr. and his family. The Hennicks say they
donated the land  to the trust to ensure the public can
enjoy the site permanently for generations to come.
COURTESY PHOTO  

Under LELT’s ownership, the land will be called “Muddy River Forest” and will allow public access for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other recreational activities. There is currently a small trail on the property along the river, which has traditionally enabled access for anglers. LELT will continue to pay property taxes to the Town of Naples at the Open Space current-use rate.

“The Lake Region has a long and proud tradition of public access to private lands,” said LELT Executive Director Matt Markot. “One of our primary goals as an organization is to work with landowners to permanently protect that access.”

Robert Hennick Jr. said that future public access to the land was very important to his father and was a driving factor in choosing to work with LELT to conserve his family’s land.

“We have had many offers to sell the land and divide up and make a considerable profit, but we feel the conservation of the land for future generations is way more valuable than the money we will receive,” he said. “The residents of Maine and the general public can enjoy the land, which we have had the privilege to do.”

Land Trust officials are excited about this newly conserved site.

“We’re grateful to the vision of Bob Hennick and his family for working with LELT to keep their property forested and open to the public forever,” said LELT Board President Lee Bearse.

Muddy River Forest includes nearly 1,300 feet of frontage on the Muddy River and is an important addition to the region’s network of conserved lands. Located just north of LELT’s Sebago Cove Forest, the land is part of a large network of undeveloped forest acres in the vicinity of the Muddy River, the Northwest River, and Sebago Lake.

In addition to protecting important undeveloped shoreline for the third-largest tributary river to Sebago Lake, the property is home to wildlife habitat, vernal pools, wetlands, and exceptional wild brook trout habitat.

The land is located directly across Lake House Road from the Town of Naples’ Muddy River Bog Preserve, which has a small parking area, trail, interpretive signs, picnic tables, a dock platform, and a hand-carry boat launch on Sebago Cove.

“Preserving Bob Hennick’s property through Loon Echo Land Trust means protecting a place that matters to our community,” shared Kathy Keinath, co-chair of the Naples Parks and Land Use Committee. “By conserving this property across from Muddy River Bog Preserve, LELT is creating a larger protected natural corridor that supports wildlife, protects the river's health, and ensures the special place remains open and thriving for future generations that can experience the same natural beauty we value today.”

The forest is located within the traditional and unceded territory of the Abenaki, a member tribe of the Wabanaki Confederacy. The Abenaki First Nations of Odanak and Wôlinak maintain reservations along the St. Francis and St. Lawrence Rivers in the Canadian province of Quebec, where they sought refuge from colonial warfare in the Saco and Androscoggin River watersheds during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Muddy River Forest plays an important role in safeguarding the water quality of the Muddy River and downstream Sebago Lake, which is the source of drinking water for over 200,000 Mainers and many Cumberland County businesses. The property was identified by Sebago Clean Waters (SCW) as a high priority for protection. SCW is a collaborative of nonprofit partners, including LELT, working to conserve key forestlands and wetlands in the Sebago Lake watershed to sustain clean water and thriving human and ecological communities across the region.

The property was conserved with direct financial assistance from Portland Water District. Sebago Clean Waters also contributed funds toward the long-term management and stewardship of the land through support from the Woodard & Curran Foundation and donations from business partners, including L.L. Bean and Allagash, Bissell Brothers, and Lone Pine breweries.

"We're thrilled to bring our partners and resources together to help protect this beloved community gem,” said SCW Partnership Director Karen Young. “Beyond helping keep Greater Portland's drinking water supply clean, the recreational opportunities and critical wildlife habitat offered by this land make conserving it a high priority."

Further details about Muddy River Forest are available online at lelt.org/muddy-river-forest.

Loon Echo Land Trust, founded in 1987, is a nonprofit organization that protects land, ensures public access to the outdoors, and builds and maintains recreational trails in Raymond, Casco, Naples, Harrison, Sebago, Bridgton, and Denmark. The organization currently conserves over 9,300 acres of land and manages a 35-mile trail network across the Lake Region. LELT protects many important local landmarks in the Lakes Region of Maine such as Pleasant Mountain, Bald Pate Mountain, and Hacker’s Hill.

For more information about LELT properties, upcoming events, or how to get involved, visit LELT.org or their Facebook page. <

Katahdin students grow fresh greens for WHS cafeteria with indoor garden

By Lorraine Glowczak

Fresh, locally grown food has long been a priority for the RSU 14 nutrition program. But Maine’s long, harsh winters typically bring the growing season for leafy vegetables to a halt. Now, thanks to the rising popularity of hydroponic gardening, RSU 14 can keep fresh produce growing year-round with a portable, vertical indoor garden system that has recently made its way to the RSU 14’s Katahdin program, giving students the chance to become the district’s first “gardening stewards” while learning how to grow vegetables year-round.

Katahdin STEM teacher Christine Fredette joins students
Landin Olin and Brandon Feyler in front of the Flex Farm
that is abut the size of a residential refrigerator when closed.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

This compact hydroponic unit, known as a Flex Farm, is roughly the size of a residential refrigerator and includes a self-contained water system with energy-efficient LED light towers. It is designed by Fork Farms, an agricultural technology company from Wisconsin. The organization’s mission is to have more schools, companies and communities “join us at the table to provide fresh food to everyone, everywhere.”

Jeanne Reilly, RSU 14’s nutrition director, said she was first exposed to this indoor gardening technology a couple of years ago.

“I first met the Fork Farms team at a national school nutrition conference, and I really like the ease and portability of the Flex Farm,” she said. “I really wanted to purchase one for our department, because it aligns so well with our commitment to local food and with our district farm to school focus, but I knew that our school nutrition team didn’t really have the time to devote to the growing process.”

As a result, Reilly knew they would need a classroom or group to partner with the nutrition department to help grow and maintain the Flex Farm’s vegetables.

“That’s where the Katahdin program came in,” Reilly said. “I mentioned the idea to Christine Fredette, the STEM teacher at Katahdin and she was all in.”

Fredette says that the students are shocked to discover they can grow fresh vegetables in the winter, all while learning about science and math, as well as their role in promoting healthy eating. She said that the students are also learning about environmental sustainability as the Flex Farm includes a submersible pump, reducing water usage by up to 95 percent compared to traditional farming and eliminates the need for pesticides.

As for science and math, Fredette said, “In hydroponics, there’s no soil to buffer pH changes, so the water’s pH directly affects nutrient uptake. The students are learning how to measure pH and test the water to make sure the nutrient levels are balanced.”

Students and staff were both amazed that one Flex Farm unit in Katahdin’s main classroom holds 288 plant spaces and can grow food in just four weeks for roughly $1 per pound.

In addition to leafy greens, the Flex Farm has the capacity to grow a variety of vegetables such as herbs, grape tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, edible flowers, and much, much more. However, for this first-time experience, the students are focusing on just two main vegetables.

“Right now, we are growing heads of lettuce and spinach to get our feet wet with this new technology,” Fredette said. “In just 30 days, we will have grown 144 heads of lettuce, and we are so excited to watch their progress. Every day when the students arrive they are surprised by how much the plants have grown overnight.”

A few students shared their own thoughts about their learning experiences and excitement about the Flex Farm.

“Until the Flex Farm arrived and we got to experience it, I didn’t know you could grow vegetables indoors, especially during winter,” Landin Olin said.

Both Brandon Feyler and McKenzie Harris agreed with Olin, saying they were amazed that so many seeds can be planted in the Flex Farm and grow so quickly to be eaten within just 30 days of time.

Harris saw a similarity between the Flex Farm and another piece of technology, “It’s like it is a tanning booth for vegetables.”

The spinach and lettuce will be arriving in the Windham High School (WHS) cafeteria soon where the students will get to eat fresh greens grown right in the WHS building. And, if production is good, other schools in the district will get to partake of the organic fare.

“Although the produce grown at Katahdin will be primarily used for the WHS cafeteria, as capacity builds and if there is abundance, we will utilize the produce in other buildings.” Reilly said.

It is the goal to purchase more Flex Farms in the future to help cut food costs, provide healthy cafeteria food, while at the same time adding hands-on and real-world curriculum in the classroom.

“Fork Farm’s mission aligns well with our district mission of serving fresh local food, and we believe there is incredible value in students participating in food growth, knowing where food comes from and from the interdisciplinary STEM aspects of involving students in gardening,” Reilly said. “We are excited to see and taste our success.” <

13 years and counting: Newspaper celebrates anniversary

By Ed Pierce

What started as an idea to tell positive stories and solutions-based news for the communities of Windham and Raymond remains as viable today as it was 13 years ago and the preeminent source of local information.

The first edition of The Windham Eagle was published on
March 1, 2013 and this year marks the 13th anniversary
of the newspaper's founding by owners Kelly and Neils
Mank. PHOTO BY ED PIERCE

On March 1, 2013, Kelly and Niels Mank established The Windham Eagle and while other newspapers have floundered, this one is still of benefit to the communities it serves.

Thanks to continued readership and support from local advertisers, the newspaper’s popularity is evident and of benefit to residents.

During a Windham Community Survey conducted in 2024, The Windham Eagle was cited as the top source for community news for town residents with 62.39 percent of survey respondents citing the newspaper as the place they go for news, beating the Town of Windham’s website, Facebook, email and text notifications, Windham Town Hall, television, radio and Instagram.

Based in Windham at 585 Roosevelt Trail, the newspaper publishes 51 weekly editions every year along with a popular Summer Guide for the Sebago Lakes Region and serves as the host for the annual Eagle Choice Awards recognizing top local businesses every summer. It also publishes a popular annual calendar each year.

“When we launched the first edition of The Windham Eagle on March 1, 2013, we felt there was a need for a community publication here to tell positive stories about our local residents,” Kelly Mank said. “There are so many negative things about this community that are publicized elsewhere but we feel that having a newspaper that emphasizes positive achievements and solutions-based news is a must for this community and has led to its ongoing success.”

2025 was a record-breaking year as The Windham Eagle produced 105 more pages than it did in 2024 and advertising sales also established new records.

“Unlike most other publications, we are a very small staff. We do not have a large team of employees, but we manage to put out more pages on a weekly basis than any other single newspaper in the state of Maine, and I am proud of our work,” said Melissa Carter, Advertising Director and Designer for The Windham Eagle. “Readers may not realize that 100 percent of the newspaper’s revenue comes from supporting advertisers, which is why we ask all our readers to support the local businesses they see in the newspaper. I appreciate the relationships I have built over the years. My advertisers trust me, and that's a huge honor. ”

Carter is passionate about working with local businesses, new and old, to help them market and brand themselves so they can grow and succeed. As both the advertising director for the newspaper and its primary designer, she says that she can deliver a level of service and expertise not found with other publications.

“Being able to get creative and come up with ideas to contribute to their overall success is challenging and rewarding,” she said. “I am not your average ‘salesperson.’ I went to school for graphic design and that is where much of my passion lies.”

Carter said that The Windham Eagle is the only publication in the area that is direct mailed to every home and business in Windham and Raymond, making it an invaluable resource to the community.

"I have been working in the newspaper business for over 20 years and I believe in what I do because I have seen first-hand the results that consistent branding does for local businesses and for event advertising," Carter said.

Lisa DiBiase, a broker and the owner of Landing Real Estate in Windham, said having an outlet like The Windham Eagle has been invaluable for her company.

“This platform has served as a powerful channel through which we can reach our target audience and effectively communicate our brand message,” DiBiase said. “The Windham Eagle provides us with a local presence, allowing us to connect directly with members of our community. This localized approach is crucial for a real estate agency like ours, as building trust and rapport within the community is essential for attracting clients and closing deals.”

She said The Windham Eagle enhances Landing Real Estate’s credibility and visibility among potential clients.

“When individuals see our name and listings regularly in a reputable local publication, it reinforces the perception that we are a reliable and reputable real estate agency worthy of their consideration,” DiBiase said. “The Windham Eagle serves as a positive and reliable source of information for community events, news, and developments. By being present in such a publication, we not only promote our business but also demonstrate our commitment to staying informed and engaged with the local community. The Windham Eagle has provided us with a platform to effectively promote our business, showcase our listings and agents, and engage with the community. It has been instrumental in driving awareness, generating leads, and ultimately contributing to the success and growth of Landing Real Estate.”

Linda Manchester, the owner of The Good Life Market and Swift River Coffee Roasters in Raymond, says the newspaper has been a huge supporter of her businesses since they first opened, publishing feature stories about them to let the community know what and who we were, and consistently coming up with creative and beautiful content for their advertising.

“The personal connection we’ve had with the staff at the paper has been amazing, it feels like they are truly in our corner, wanting to see us succeed,” Manchester said. “It’s meaningful that The Windham Eagle gives back to the community by doing fundraising ads, and highlighting the achievements of local people, organizations, and businesses. The fact that the paper shows up in every mailbox gives readers an effortless connection to each other, to the community, and to a simpler time, and reminds us that we’re all still here for each other. I love working with your paper, because I know and love this region, and I truly believe The Windham Eagle does, too.”

The newspaper’s annual Eagle Choice Awards, where readers cast votes for their favorite and most trusted businesses in the region, remains as popular now as when it started in 2015. Last summer’s Eagle Choice Awards celebration held at Erik’s Church in Windham drew its largest crowd ever and votes cast online also set a new all-time record.

Kelly Mank said she’s pleased that residents like the newspaper and accept its positive and solutions-based focus.

“Many people were skeptical at first that such a newspaper could be sustainable,” she said. “They told us that newspapers across America are dying, and that positive news isn’t real news and couldn’t work. We wanted to create a publication that all ages could find something of interest in, and that would contain positive articles focused on the communities of Windham and Raymond.”

She said that the communities supporting The Windham Eagle newspaper through the years deserve credit for making it what it is today.

“It has proven to be a positive tool and resource for our towns, schools, families, non-profits, and businesses,” she said. <

Nangle running for re-election to Maine State Senate

Tim Nangle has announced his campaign for re-election to the Maine State Senate in District 26.

Incumbent Tim Nangle, a Democrat,
is seeking re-election to represent
District 26 in the Maine State Senate.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

“I have had the distinct honor of serving our region in the State Senate for the past four years,” said Senator Nangle. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done to lower costs for Maine families, protect access to quality and affordable health care, invest in our schools, including career and technical education, promote local control, and expand job training opportunities and apprenticeships. We are at a crossroads in our state and in our nation. I’m running for re-election to keep putting my neighbors first and delivering real results and common-sense solutions for the people of Senate District 26.”

During his time in the State Senate, Nangle has led efforts to strengthen consumer protections, protect Maine’s lakes and waterways, and stand up for working families.

He was the lead sponsor of Maine’s bipartisan “click-to-cancel” law (LD 1642), stopping companies from trapping consumers in hard-to-end subscriptions by ensuring that if you can sign up online, you can cancel online. Nangle also led and passed legislation giving towns stronger tools to enforce shoreland zoning laws and protect lakes like Sebago from costly environmental damage. In addition, Nangle was the lead sponsor of LD 1145, establishing new protections for residents of mobile home parks to help prevent displacement and keep housing affordable in local communities.

Nangle holds a lifetime 100 percent rating from Planned Parenthood of Maine and has consistently voted to defend reproductive rights and freedoms. He also has a 100 percent lifetime rating from the Maine AFL-CIO and has been a strong and reliable champion for working Mainers.

“I am honored to serve alongside Senator Tim Nangle and proud to support his re-election,” said Maine Senate President Mattie Daughtry. “Tim is one of the most effective legislators in the Maine Senate. He has been a tireless champion for Mainers in the Lakes Region, fighting for affordable housing, supporting small businesses, strengthening rural EMS departments, and standing up for consumers. His decades of service as a first responder and legislator make him exactly the kind of leader we need in the Maine Senate.”

Nangle is a resident of Windham and previously served six years on the Windham Town Council. He began his public service career at age 17 as a police and fire dispatcher in his hometown, later serving as a reserve police officer, Emergency Medical Technician, and Paramedic. He retired in 2017 after 27 years of service with the City of Portland.

He is currently serving his second term in the Maine State Senate, representing District 26 communities of Casco, Frye Island, Raymond, Windham, and part of Westbrook. <

Trustees approve a $69.4 million water district budget

By Ed Pierce

Portland Water District’s Board of Trustees have approved a $69.4 million operating budget for 2026, representing a 6.5 percent increase over the prior year.

Part of Portland Water District's 2026 capital plan and 
investments include $15 million for the new North 
Windham Wastewater Treatment Facility under
construction on the grounds of Manchester School in
Windham. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

The Water District Board also approved $82.8 million in capital investments, nearly $30 million more than last year, reflecting PWD’s continued focus on investing in critical infrastructure, protecting public health, and ensuring reliable service for the future.

According to Scott Firmin, Portland Water District General Manager, the approved 2026 budget supports the district’s critical investments in water main replacement, treatment facility upgrades, meter replacement, and system resiliency, while also addressing rising operational costs such as electricity, insurance, and supplies.

Firmin said that the 2026 capital plan includes significant investments in wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, including $15 million toward the new North Windham Wastewater Treatment Facility scheduled to start up in 2026 along with $16 million for the Westbrook Conduit Stormwater Tank, required under PWD’s Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan and a permit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Water rates for the Portland Water District will increase by an average of 7.4 percent, resulting in an increase of approximately $1.92 per month for the typical residential customer.

The water district manages more than 430,000 assets that support the delivery of safe, reliable drinking water and effective treatment and collection of wastewater across the region. Many of these assets are reaching an age where proactive reinvestment is essential to maintain service quality, protect public health, and safeguard the environment. Sustained investment allows PWD to renew infrastructure strategically and strengthen system performance and reliability.

“This budget reflects our responsibility to plan ahead and invest wisely in the systems that deliver clean water and protect our waterways,” said Scott Firmin, Portland Water District General Manager. “By making these investments today, the board is helping ensure reliable service, environmental protection, and long-term affordability while avoiding greater costs and disruptions in the future.”

Some of the operating increases can be attributed to higher biosolids disposal costs, related to new requirements from the state of Maine for PFAS management. Rising labor and chemical costs, and debt service are also significant factors.

The Portland Water District maintains a 1,000-mile network of water mains ranging from 60 inches to 2 inches, pump stations, and reservoirs that bring water from Sebago Lake to homes and businesses in Maine. Large mains for transmission extend from PWD’s treatment facility near Standish to Westbrook and Portland.

The district also operates four wastewater treatment plants, providing treatment and collection services to customers in Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Gorham, Portland, Westbrook, and Windham.

The water district keeps about 25 million gallons of water in storage to help maintain proper pressure and allow for a water reserve in case of an emergency, like a fire or a flood. It serves about 200,000 people across 11 communities and because of that, PWD must ensure that Sebago Lake water quality is of utmost importance.

Sebago Lake itself is more than 300 feet in depth and contains nearly 1 trillion gallons of water which is considered of excellent quality. The source of water in Sebago Lake originates in the Sebago Lake Watershed, which is more than 50 miles long, stretching from Bethel to Standish and includes parts of 24 towns including the towns of Windham and Raymond.

Firmin says that the excellent water quality of the Sebago Lake Watershed is attributed to surrounding forested lands that act as a natural filter for the watershed.

He said that the water district remains committed to balancing necessary infrastructure investments with affordability. The 2026 budget further strengthens support for customers enrolled in the Lifeline Water Rate program, increasing subsidies to help qualifying households manage water costs. Eligible customers may apply through the Opportunity Alliance.

The 2026 Comprehensive Budget Report is available at https://www.pwd.org/ <

SEAing possibilities: WHS students dive into Maine’s career opportunities

By Lorraine Glowczak

Many high school students don’t realize how many career paths exist across Maine – from aquaculture and farming to public policy, hospitality, and beyond. Too often, teens see only a small slice of what’s out there, sticking to familiar jobs or popular industries. School districts across the state are doing their best to incorporate more programs to expose youth to the diverse career options within the State.

WHS senior Elliott Weatherby 
studies starfish from the 
DownEast Institute touch
tank, which is a sustainable 
aquaculture and research lab
on Beals Island.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
  

At Windham High School (WHS), the Alternative Pathways for Excellence (APEX) teacher, Adrianne Shetenhelm and Extended Learning Opportunities Coordinator (ELO), Lorraine Glowczak have developed a pilot program to give students the chance to break out of that bubble, explore real workplaces, and discover opportunities they never knew existed.

The program, Student Exploratory Adventures (SEA), is a hands-on, real-world learning field trip experience that is designed to connect students with employers, community leaders, and businesses across Maine.

“Through SEA, students have the opportunity to explore Maine’s workforce and economic landscape, discover career paths in fields such as aquaculture, farming, hospitality, public policy, manufacturing, and more, and engage in meaningful conversations with community and industry leaders,” Shetenhelm said. “When students engage directly with employers and the community, they build professional communication, critical thinking, listening, and networking skills – abilities that can’t be fully developed in the classroom.”

Pointing out that Maine is one of the oldest States in the nation, Shetenhelm emphasized that one of SEA’s mission is to ignite students’ interest in local industries. “By giving teens unique, real-world learning experiences, the program aims to inspire them to stay in Maine and explore the career opportunities right in their own backyard.”

For this year’s pilot program, Shetenhelm and Glowczak have provided one field trip per quarter.

The first trip of the year began in October, when the students visited the DownEast Institute, located on Beals Island, Maine. Students had the opportunity to participate in experiments at the Institute's Marine Education Center and lab, experience the marine “touch tank,” tour the shellfish production and research labs, and discover the science behind growing oysters, clams, and more.

Students said the field trip either introduced them to aquaculture or deepened their interest in pursuing it through college, trade school, an ELO, internship, or job shadow. Often, this and other SEA experiences, have opened the door to social connections as well.

“The Aquaculture SEA field trip was really educating and solidified my interest in biology,” one student participant said. “But what was just as exciting is I got to meet new people and felt like I made new friends on this trip.”

December’s Quarter 2 field trip offered students a firsthand look at Maine’s hospitality and tourism industry. At Migis Lodge in Naples, students met with professionals in sales, event planning, human resources, front office operations, and facilities management, gaining insight into the many moving parts behind a successful resort.

Later, the owner of Iron Clad Eats led a hands-on culinary challenge: building and pricing a charcuterie board. After calculating the cost of goods and services, students determined they would need to charge $20 per board to turn a profit – blending math skills with real-world business strategy.

February’s Quarter 3 field trip took students on a deep dive into leadership and public policy with a visit to the State House in Augusta. The youth met with State Rep. Rolf Olsen (Raymond), State Rep. Mark Cooper (Windham) and State Sen. Tim Nangle (Windham). Students also toured the capitol, got to strike the gavel, and observed a joint session – gaining firsthand insight into lawmaking and civic engagement.

Sophomore and ELO student Sophia Atherton stated the visit to the Maine State House helped her understand law and political science. “After this experience, I think I want to pursue a career in the political science field.”

Clayton Johnson, also a sophomore who is on his third ELO, stated he felt empowered with the knowledge, skills, and confidence he gained as a result of this field trip. “I learned a lot about how the Maine government works and feel like I understand it at a deeper level than before.”

Next up for quarter 4 is an exploration in agriculture and manufacturing. Although the exact locations have yet to be determined, the hope is to visit Wolf’s Neck Farm or Pineland Farm and tour Bourgeois Guitars in Lewiston.

For students eager to explore, the opportunities are endless. By connecting with Maine employers, community leaders, and colleges, teens are stepping beyond the classroom into hands-on learning. Motivated and curious, they are broadening their horizons and discovering just how much is possible for their future — one real-world adventure at a time.

The SEA field trips have been funded through the Maine C3 Sunshine Mini-Grant. <

In the public eye: WHS Technical Support Specialist plays key role in student learning

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

By Ed Pierce

In his work as a Technical Support Specialist at Windham High School, Keith Marquis is helping provide students with opportunities for learning and growth and solving problems is his specialty.

Keith Marquis has worked for the past five years as a
Technical Support Specialist at Windham High School
and he's responsible for supporting all the laptops,
computers,  printers and applications used at the 
high school. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Marquis will reach the five-year mark for working at WHS in August and he’s responsible for supporting all the laptops, personal computers, printers, and applications used at the high school. It’s an important position as his role focuses on maintaining the functionality of the school’s hardware fleet and ensuring that classroom technology remains operational to support uninterrupted instruction.

He says helping students and school staff resolve any technical issues is the best thing about what he does in his job.

That’s not always easy and Marquis lists solving problems as the most challenging aspect of his work.

“Some issues are a quick fix, but the issues that take some research and push me to learn more about technology are most rewarding,” he said. “Technology is changing and we need to be able to keep up with those changes and the challenges they present. It is always good to learn something new.”

The Technical Support Specialist position requires the ability to diagnose and resolve hardware and connectivity issues quickly under pressure and being in a school environment means Marquis also must be able to remain patient and professional in high-energy situations while interacting with students, teachers, administrators and staff.

He grew up in Litchfield, Maine and attended Oak Hill High School and before earning an Associate’s of Science degree in Electromechanical Technology at Central Maine Community College in Auburn, then called Central Maine Technical College.

“I also took online classes at Saint Joseph’s College and earned certificates for Server Administrator and Database Administrator,” Marquis said.

Before applying for the job at Windham High School, Marquis started out by working in manufacturing and he built and inspected circuit boards for a year and a half. Then he repaired office and banking equipment for about two years before joining a technical service where he provided Information Technology services for various companies for a few years.

“I then moved on to Saint Joseph’s College in their IT department,” he said. “I was with them for about 15 years before coming to RSU 14. I am also a part-time pyrotechnician, putting on professional fireworks shows and have been doing that for the last 30 plus years.”

According to Marquis, a friend and coworker pointed out the open position at RSU 14 and encouraged him to apply.

“My original position was at Raymond Elementary School,” he said. “After being there for a little over a year, I transitioned to the high school.”

His most memorable moment while working for Windham High School took place a few years ago.

“I built a new lab from the ground up for Digital Arts and eSports a couple years ago,” Marquis said. “I put a lot of planning into getting the lab built. It continues to be very rewarding to see how much use it gets and that everyone is enjoying the space.”

Because he has family also working in education, they have a common framework for their careers.

“My significant other is happy with me working at WHS since she is also in education as a high school science teacher,” he said. “Because we are both in education, we can better relate to the challenges the other encounters.”

As far as the biggest misconception people may have about his work, Marquis says he does not actually use magic to fix a problem but there is something that the public may not know about his work.

“We don’t restrict all the websites we do because we want to; we are required by law to block those websites,” he said. “This is due to the Student Data Privacy Act.”

The most important thing that he has learned while working for Windham High School is simply adjusting and adapting to changing times.

“In some ways high school is nothing like it was when I was a student,” Marquis said. “With every student having a computer in hand, technology has changed teaching and learning and is continuing to evolve almost daily. <

Raymond seeks community members to help turn JSMS repurpose ideas into reality

By Dina Mendros

The Town of Raymond is looking for four community members to serve on a new committee that will determine how best to repurpose Jordan-Small Middle School (JSMS) once it closes following the completion of the new Windham Raymond Middle School.

The Jordan-Small Middle School Building Implementation
Committee will make recommendations to the Raymond
Select Board as to repurposing Jordan-Small Middle School
for municipal uses once it closes following the opening of
the new Windham Raymond Middle School in the fall
of 2027. FILE PHOTO 
   

The JSMS Building Implementation Committee will build on the work of the earlier JSMS Visioning Committee, which developed a list of potential municipal uses for the building after it is no longer needed as a school. The new committee’s charge, according to the town’s Facebook page, includes reviewing feasibility, costs, and timelines; evaluating operational and community impacts; collaborating with town departments, the school district, and outside experts; developing actionable recommendations for the Select Board; and outlining short-term medium-term, and long‑term implementation strategies.

Raymond Town Clerk Melanie Fernald is accepting applications. More information and the application form are available at tinyurl.com/bdz6fvd4.

In addition to the four community members, the committee will include representatives from the Planning Board, School Department, Public Works/Facilities, Parks & Recreation, Budget-Finance Committee, the Select Board, and the town manager. The town manager, Select Board, and Budget-Finance Committee representatives will serve as ex‑officio, non‑voting members. Meetings for the committee will be held monthly.

The Raymond Select Board unanimously approved the committee guidelines last fall, though the number of community members was a point of debate. The initial plan called for only two or three community members, but some residents and board members pushed for more.

Resident David Brown, a mechanical engineer, expressed interest in serving and argued that the committee should include additional community voices with expertise in design, finance, and other relevant fields.

Some Select Board members countered that public participation during meetings would provide sufficient community input.

“There should be plenty of public meetings so people that do have suggestions and people that do want to provide some assistance could voice their opinions at these meetings and offer their services,” Select Board member Chris Hanson said. “So I don’t think we need to make this committee any bigger, I think we just allow them to participate.”

Others disagreed.

Select Board member Derek Ray supported having four community members, noting that the project is intended to benefit the entire community.

“To have two would be slighting the community a little bit because this is going to be geared toward a community center. I think that more community input would be great,” he said, adding that residents might not attend meetings if they were not formally part of the committee.

The Raymond Visioning Committee, which met from April through June of last year, produced a report recommending that the building be used to house several town departments before disbanding. Chair Peter Lockwood said the committee envisioned a community center supporting residents of all ages. Their recommendations included relocating Parks & Recreation, the library, Town Hall offices, and Community Services to the JSMS building.

As part of their work, committee members toured JSMS and other municipal facilities – including the town office, library, Public Safety building, and leased program spaces – to assess current needs. They also visited nearby towns that converted former schools for municipal use. Lockwood said that the Visioning Committee was encouraged to “dream” without considering cost; financial analysis will be the responsibility of the new committee.

The new Windham Raymond Middle School is expected to open in fall 2027, serving roughly 1,000 students in grades five through eight. Windham is also evaluating future uses for repurposing Windham Middle School, which will close once the new building opens.

Jordan-Small Middle School in Raymond was built in 1960 and currently has an enrollment of 174 students. <

Windham Council updates EMS fees and launches annual budget process

By Ed Pierce

For the first time in six years, members of the Windham Town Council have voted to update Emergency Medical Service transport fees to remain capable of providing exceptional responses needed by residents.

Windham Town Council members voted unanimously Feb.
to increase the Emergency Medical Service ambulance
transport rate by 5 percent. It is the first such adjustment
that councilors have made to the ambulance fee rate
since 2020. COURTESY PHOTO   

During a council meeting on Feb. 24, Windham Fire-Rescue Chief Brent Libby said that the town’s contracted medical billing specialist recommended a rate adjustment to Windham’s emergency medical transport fees.

Libby said the town transitioned to a fee-based emergency transport service in 1994 and the rate was last adjusted in February 2020. A new law in 2024 caps rate increases at 5 percent annually with a ceiling of 200 percent of Medicare available rate.

Windham currently is in a network with Anthem, Vermont Health Access, Community Health Options, Maine Care and Medicaid for EMS transport billing.

According to Libby, medical billing revenues do not directly fund the Fire-Rescue budget but are accounted for in town revenues each year.

“In 2024, we participated in a mandated Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection cost analysis for the 2023 calendar year,” Libby said. “Participation in that process indicated that we collected approximately $955,129 in medical billing revenue and our Emergency Medical Services operation accounted for 65 percent of our operating budget which at that time equated to $2,066,984. This amount also excluded any major capital planning or expenditure.”

By adjusting the EMS transport fee rate by 5 percent, Libby said that Windham will continue to meet regional standards while sustaining high‑quality emergency care and responsible healthcare billing.

Councilors voted unanimously to update the EMS transport fee rate.

In other actions on Feb. 24, councilors received an initial presentation from Windham Town Manager Bob Burns about the process to develop a 2026-2027 budget.

Burns said each town department started working on formulating budgets about two months ago and then submitted proposals for the town manager’s review. After careful calculations, Burns says he will submit a budget proposal that reduces town operating expenses by 0.7 percent.

The proposal continues investments in infrastructure, parks, public safety and trails and shows overall stability in many key revenue areas.

Under the new budget proposal, the town would add a truck driver position for Windham Public Works and a Shoreline Zoning position to work in that area if voters approve the budget during the annual town meeting.

He said the proposed budget will now undergo a review by the town’s Finance Committee and adjustments will be made until a final budget is submitted to the council during a public hearing on May 12. If the council approves, the budget will then be placed before residents vote on it at the town meeting in June.

Several other factors may have an impact for residents though, Burns said. He said one of those factors is the school district’s budget formulation, which is yet unknown, as is the county’s budget proposal. Burns told councilors that he’s heard Cumberland County may seek a budget increase to offset reductions in federal funding.

Burns said this annual budget proposal is calculated based upon many different factors and influences, including lowered projected revenues, the town’s general operating budget and fixed expenses, insurance costs, contractual obligations, energy costs, debt expenditures and personnel changes. Fixed expenses for the town included in the budget proposal include insurance costs, employee healthcare, contractual obligations for municipal organizations, long-term contracts, debt expenditures and wage adjustments.

Under the approved 2025-2026 municipal budget revenues were $18,377,698 while Burns projects that revenue for the 2026-2027 budget falls 13.1 percent to $15,971,859. Town expenses under the approved 2025-2026 budget were $34,679,954 while Burns projects that 2026-2027 town expenses will decrease 0.7 percent to $34,438,062. <