Windham Town Council to hold public hearing on budget proposal

MIL RATE NOT FINALIZED WHILE AWAITING RSU 14 BUDGET

By Ed Pierce

During the Windham Town Council meeting on April 14, councilors approved the town Finance Committee’s budget recommendation and scheduled a public hearing for the proposal for the April 28 council meeting.

Upon review of the Town of Windham's annual budget
proposal, the Windham Finance Committee found
additional ways to reduce town operating expenses
by 2.63 percent less than the original budget
proposal suggested. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

Windham Town Manager Robert Burns submitted a proposed budget in February to the Finance Committee and in turn, committee members made changes and passed it back to the council for a public hearing. That step precedes the council approving a 2026/2027 budget warrant for voters at the Annual Town Meeting on June 13.

Burns reviewed changes with councilors that the Finance Committee made to the budget proposal, saying that the committee reduced revenue in the original proposal by 9.31 percent and found additional ways to slash town operating expenses by 2.63 percent less than the original budget suggested.

He said much of that decrease can be attributed to fewer bond projects during the next fiscal year in the town.

The town’s mil rate for taxation is a combination of Windham’s budget, RSU 14’s budget, and Cumberland County’s budget.

“We are awaiting what the RSU 14 budget proposal will be so there still is some uncertainty as of yet,” Burns said.

According to Burns, Cumberland County’s budget proposal will increase 9.15 percent.

“Unfortunately, the county had three union contracts to negotiate in the same year and that’s why their budget is going up,” he said.

Burns said Windham’s lone potential Town Capital Project for the 2026/2027 year is the MacIntosh Brook Culvert Replacement at a cost of $624,000 with $208,000 of that cost funded by a grant.

If the budget proposal is eventually approved by voters, many small capital projects, equipment projects and new equipment are included in the budget proposal.

Some of those items include a new ambulance for Windham Fire-Rescue, new tasers for Windham Police, new servers, firewalls and software licensing for the Windham Police Department, the first year of a three-year Comprehensive Plan Update, Community Park Stormwater Treatment, creation of Forbes Lane Park, repaving of the Mountain Division Trail, and a Brine System and Calcium Tank for Public Works.

New equipment to be purchased if the budget is approved includes a Tilt Trailer, Mower, Dump Truck, Pickup Truck, Chipper, Asphalt Planer, and Used Bucket Truck. The town also plans various equipment rentals, supplies and materials, gravel road reconstruction, surveying, pavement assessment, paving and reconstruction work, roof repair for the Windham sand shed, Varney Mill Estates drainage, a wash bay upgrade for Public Works and continuing the Smith Cemetery expansion project.

Ongoing capital projects for Windham include the North Windham Wastewater Treatment Plant and Conveyance System, the North Windham Wastewater Treatment System Service Connections, the MaineDOT North Windham Moves Project Design installing connector roads, adaptive tech signals, and bike/pedestrian lanes, preliminary engineering of the Windham Middle School reuse to a community center, and the Gambo Property road installation and Public Works Laydown Yard.

The proposed mil rate of 12.06 for Windham based upon the budget proposal is not final yet because the town is still awaiting the RSU 14 budget figures, Burns said. He said that figure is lower than Westbrook, Standish, Falmouth and Gorham. Windham’s mil rate for the 2025-2026 fiscal year was 11.47.

A 12.06 mil rate on a $400,000 assessed property value results in about $4,824 in annual property taxes. 

Mark Morrison, Windham Town Council Chair, and Burns each thanked Windham Finance Committee members for their work on reviewing the budget and making further recommendations to it as part of the town’s budget process. The council voted unanimously to move the budget proposal forward for a public hearing on April 28.

Residents will be able to comment on the proposed budget at the Windham Town Council meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 28. Morrison said that Cumberland County Commissioner Tom Tyler of Windham will attend the council meeting on April 28 to explain the county’s 2026-2027 proposed budget increase. <

Little Meetinghouse recruiting help for popular Windham facility

By Ed Pierce

Here’s your chance to assist in preserving a thriving piece of history in Windham as volunteers are being sought to maintain and help manage the Little Meetinghouse in North Windham.

The historic Little Meetinghouse building in Windham is
popular to rent for bridal and baby showers and other events.
The nonprofit organization will conduct a meeting for
potential volunteers at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 13 to 
continue the facility's tradition of service to the community.
COURTESY PHOTO 

Susan Dries serves as president of the Little Meetinghouse and says the organization’s managers are aging and looking to bring in new volunteers to continue the tradition of service to the community.

Dries joined the group as a volunteer originally because she is a storyteller and was looking for a space that she could do that for a larger audience and at a price she could afford.

“We need volunteers to keep this great historic venue in Windham available to our surrounding area,” Dries said. “Some of our regular volunteers are looking to lighten their loads after many years of involvement.”

Volunteer tasks may include scheduling and communicating with renters, obtaining bids for snow plowing and shoveling, mowing, light building maintenance. A treasurer volunteer is also needed to help manage the group’s finances.

Construction of the Little Meetinghouse originally began in 1871 with all funds for the project raised by subscription. It was the brainchild of Erastus Cram of Windham, who sought volunteer help in building a new free meeting house and church in town. Using $800 in donations from 43 individuals of various religious denominations, the building first opened in 1872 and for years it was the only church in that area of Windham.

By the turn of the 20th century, it was celebrated as a popular site for weddings and groups looking for a convenient place to conduct meetings. In 1914, the Busy Bees, a sewing group, charged clubs a total of 2 cents to hold meetings there. The Busy Bees later became known as the Ladies Aid of Windham. In 1930, the facility was renamed as the nondenominational North Windham Union Church and by the 1960s, the building had affiliated with the United Church of Christ.

The original church steeple was replaced with a new one in 1975 although the original church bell remains in place dating to 1872. The bell was ordered from the Montgomery Ward Company catalogue and shipped from Chicago, Illinois less than a year after the Great Fire there.

Church services moved in 1979 to a large parish house that had been built in 1957, and the building was scheduled to be torn down but a group of concerned residents stepped in to rescue the facility. In 1993, the church was moved to its current location at 719 Roosevelt Trail on town-owned land as Frances Manchester and her son David formed the Friends of the Little Meeting House and raised enough money to save the building. 

After years of restoration work mostly performed by volunteers, in 2006 the nonprofit Friends of the Little Meeting House group opened the Little Meetinghouse facility as a public site for small weddings and community meetings, and it is now being rented out for $200 on a regular basis to local groups.

It is available for all types of events, including bridal showers, weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, anniversary parties and business presentations. It’s been rented for exercise classes, musical performances, bean suppers, lobster dinners, quilt and coin shows, storytelling events, antique appraisal shows and yard sales. The facility is air-conditioned and has a large open event space, a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave and double sink and a bathroom.

It’s now booked all the time throughout the year and in 2022 the building’s front doors were replaced and are expected to last into the 22nd century. All the money derived from rentals goes back to the building for maintenance and facility updates.

A special meeting for potential volunteers will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13 at the Little Meetinghouse at 719 Roosevelt Taril in Windham. If unable to attend but are interested in volunteering, call 207-892-9346.

“The building remains in great shape and is in demand because it is affordable and more bridal and baby showers are held here than anyplace else in Windham,” Dries said. “It’s a piece of history and we hope some new volunteers will step up and keep it that way well into the future.” <    

Campbell seeks Maine House District 107 position as state representative

By Ed Pierce

Democrat Joseph A. Campbell of Windham will try to unseat incumbent Republican Mark Cooper as State Representative for Maine House District 107 in the general election in November.

Joseph A. Campbell of Windham, a Democrat,
will be a candidate in November for State
Representative in Maine House District 107,
representing part of Windham. He is a 
long-term substitute teacher at 
Gray/New Gloucester High School and a
graduate student at the University of
Maine. SUBMITTED PHOTO    
  

Campbell, a long-term Substitute at Gray/NewGloucester High School and a graduate student at the University of Maine, was a candidate for the Windham Town Council At Large position last fall, a seat eventually won by Katie Cook.

He says that he is running to represent House District 107, representing part of Windham, because he loves Maine and sees it as all our responsibility to make our voices heard in how the state is run.

“As someone navigating the difficult process of settling down, establishing a career, and pursuing higher education, I believe my perspective is representative of many Mainers who don’t normally see themselves in the legislature,” Campbell said. “When elected, I would feel accomplished once I could say that the common-sense goals of owning a home, starting a family, and maybe even retiring someday are more attainable than they were at the start of my term.”

The most significant issue in the race is the rising cost of housing, he said.

“Skyrocketing housing expenses are hurting the whole spectrum of Windham residents, from renters just trying to get by and save, to seniors struggling to afford their family home,” Campbell said. “We need to find a way to grease the wheels for first time buyers, responsibly build enough for supply to meet demand, and decouple critical services like schools from the local mil rate.”

Along with affordable housing, Campbell says ensuring a solid education system would be another of his priorities if elected.

“Schools, students, and teachers are all struggling, and we need to find a way to ensure kids are getting what they need to learn, while teachers and districts have the energy, professionalism, and resources they need to make that happen,” he said. “We expect a lot from teachers, as we should, and they deserve a proportional level of compensation and respect for the work they do. Additionally, academic excellence is only possible when we’re exposed to diverse thoughts and ideas. We need to give kids books and encourage literacy, banning books is never the right way forward.”

Currently finishing a master’s degree in international and political history at the University of Maine, Campbell says that as a historian, he thinks we have a responsibility as citizens of a democracy to do right by the system that people have fought and died for by making sure that we’re an educated electorate. 

“Working with the kids at the high school is one small way I like to try and do my part,” he said. “It’s really refreshing to see young people working hard and getting ready to enter the adult world, and I think we owe it to them to make sure that that world is something good. As to why I study history, it’s because I believe that just like we learn from our own mistakes and find inspiration in how far we’ve come as individuals, we can do the same as communities. If you look back 90 years ago, Mainers were able to survive the Great Depression, reject fascism, and would go on to weather World War II. If we could make it through those times, we can figure out how to rein in property taxes, give kids a good education, and do something about folks’ CMP bills. This is all very doable, and I like to think that we can make it easier upon ourselves by paying attention to those who came before us.”

According to Campbell, he enjoys living in Windham and says the parks and trails in the town are great recreational opportunities, specifically Black Brook Preserve and Donnabeth Lippman Park.

“My wife Chelsea and I make sure to get outside for a quick picnic, walk, or hike at least a couple of times a week while we’re lucky enough to have some good weather,” he said. “It’s really heartening to see a place like Windham navigate growth and development, while making absolutely sure to carve out and preserve space for nature.” 

If elected, Campbell says that he’d like to see if legislators could find a way to rely less on local property taxes to get the schools what they need.

“We should work toward more equitable state taxes, focusing on those with the ability to pay, while relieving working and middle-class Mainers who may own a home, but aren’t flush with cash,” Campbell said. “That revenue should go toward the school districts, with the added benefit of making sure that your school’s budget isn’t forever tied to the real estate in town. With a responsible budget, working class Mainers could see their mil rate go down, and wealthy Mainers can know that their tax dollars are going toward their children and grandchildren getting a good education.”

Along with Democrat State Senator incumbent Tim Nangle, Republican State Senate candidate Peter Violette and Republic House 107 incumbent Mark Cooper, Campbell’s campaign is funded by the Maine Clean Elections Act. To support any of these campaigns, nonpartisan $5 contributions may be made at maine.gov/ethics website. <

Camuso to serve as Maine Audubon president

After an extensive year-long search, Maine Audubon is pleased to announce the selection of Judy Camuso as its new president. Camuso will assume the role held by long-time leader Andy Beahm, who will retire next month. She will become the first woman to lead Maine Audubon since its founding more than 100 years ago.

Judy Camuso, the former Commissioner of the Maine
Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, will
succeed Andy Beahm as president of Maine Audubon.
She will be the first woman to lead Maine Audubon
since it was founded more than 100 years ago.
COURTESY PHOTO 

Camuso brings more than 25 years of experience in wildlife conservation and protection leadership to the statewide nonprofit organization. For the past seven years, Camuso has served as the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

“We are thrilled to welcome Judy as our new president,” says Michael Catania, chair of Maine Audubon’s Board of Trustees. “Her deep commitment to conservation and proven leadership make her the right person to guide Maine Audubon forward into our next era. There is no denying that it is a critical time for Maine’s environmental efforts and Judy brings the vision and experience we need to advance our mission and further strengthen our impact across the state.”

Camuso began her career in wildlife at Maine Audubon nearly 30 years ago, starting as a seasonal biologist and then serving as the staff naturalist and Gilsland Farm center director for eleven years. In 2007, she left to join the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, where she advanced from assistant regional biologist to special projects coordinator, then director of the wildlife division, and was ultimately named Commissioner in 2019.

“Maine Audubon has always possessed a special place in my heart since I began my career there,” says Camuso. “I’m looking forward to leading Maine Audubon to new levels as the premier conservation organization in the state, and beyond. I truly believe people protect what they love, and I want more people to love the wildlife and natural resources of the state.” 

As Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner, Camuso initiated and funded numerous conservation programs in Maine, including research projects on many of our largest and most vulnerable species, prioritizing land and habitat conservation. Through her leadership, the department expanded and improved its communication and outreach, diversified its Advisory Council, and grew its budget, enabling the agency to better protect, enhance, and conserve Maine’s fish and wildlife resources.

She also served in several national roles including serving as vice chair of the North American Wetlands Conservation Board and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, where she was the first person from Maine to serve in this role.

As MDIFW Commissioner, Camuso energized the agency through an employee-driven strategic plan and a hands-on, collaborative approach with staff and partners that helped drive a period of unprecedented growth in outdoor participation and expanded opportunities for those who enjoy Maine's outdoors.  

Under Camuso's tenure, fishing and hunting license sales climbed to historic levels, with fishing licenses increasing by 9 percent and hunting licenses increasing by 10 percent. The department also expanded public access to the outdoors, conserved more than 30,000 acres of land for recreation and habitat – including nearly 8,000 acres of deer wintering areas – and added 20 new boating access sites. Hunters and anglers benefited from expanded opportunities, including additional youth hunting days, increased deer and moose permits and more ice fishing waters in northern Maine.

Andy Beahm, who originally served on Maine Audubon’s Board of Trustees before becoming the Executive Director in 2017, announced his plans to retire last fall. Beahm guided Maine Audubon first through a period of stability then into a period of growth, cementing Maine Audubon as the leading conservation organization in the state.

“I enjoyed literally every day of my career at Maine Audubon and have so much admiration for its highly capable staff and its thousands of volunteers,” says Beahm. “We have accomplished so much together. When you look at the empirical results of our work with indicator species, such as Piping Plovers and Common Loons, it’s clear that, together, we can greatly improve population levels even during a time of multiple conservation challenges. Over the last decade, we have greatly expanded the reach and relevance of our education, conservation, advocacy and properties work. I’m beyond thrilled that Judy will succeed me and am supremely confident that she can take Maine Audubon to even higher levels of impact.” <

In the public eye: Windham’s Assistant Finance Director crucial to town’s public fund accountability

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

By Ed Pierce

Levi Robinson sees his role as Assistant Finance Director and Deputy Tax Collector for the Town of Windham as pivotal in securing the effective use and accountability of public funds, ultimately supporting community development and ensuring compliance with pre-determined governmental financial regulations.

Levi Robinson serves as Assistant
Finance Director for the Town of
Windham and also supervises the
day-to-day operations within the
Tax Collection Department as the
Town's Deputy Tax Collector.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

As the town’s Assistant Finance Director, Robinson’s primary job responsibilities are to support the Finance Director in the stewardship of taxpayer funds. He also handles various account reconciliations, grant administration and reporting, maintenance of Windham’s capital planning database, and management of the lease process.

“We process accounts payable invoices weekly as well, so a review of every invoice submitted is required by me or the Finance Director before they are approved for payment,” Robinson said. As of July 2025, I also supervise the day-to-day operations within the Tax Collection department as the Deputy Tax Collector, but the overall department is still overseen by our Finance Director.”

Having worked for the Town of Windham since December 2023, he says the most challenging aspect of his job is also one of his strongest individual attributes – attention to detail.

“From the review of accounts payable invoices to the reconciliation process, attention to detail is critical to ensure that transactions are all properly recorded and checks are sent to the correct vendors for the correct amounts,” Robinson said. “So, while it is the most challenging, it is also one of the most important aspects of the job. For me personally, one of my favorite tasks is account reconciliation because it is effectively like solving a puzzle that you may or may not have all the pieces for currently. Eventually solving that puzzle is a very fulfilling experience for me and it gives us the assurance that everything has been properly accounted for.”

He’s lived in Maine his entire life, primarily in South Portland, Gorham, and most recently in Gray. Robinson earned a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics with a concentration in Statistics and in Economics from University of Southern Maine. 

When he accepted the job in Windham, Robinson was encouraged to go through a two-year certification program through the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) to become a Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO). The program has seven areas that cover all aspects of financial management and is designed to prepare individuals for leadership positions in state and local governments by enhancing fundamental skills and increasing knowledge of best practices and standards in public finance.

“While the knowledge I gained through auditing aided in my completion of the program, the program was tremendously helpful in teaching me new things specifically within the debt, payroll, and budgeting areas from the Town/City perspective, rather than the auditor lens I was accustomed to,” Robinson said. “Beyond that, the most important thing I’ve learned at the town so far is an understanding of how our financial software (Enterprise ERP, formerly known as MUNIS) functions and processes transactions. This knowledge is critical for being able to investigate and solve any unexpected variances or problems that occur during the processing of transactions at an account level. I’m sure I have much more to learn about our software, but the progress I’ve made so far has been integral to my success in my role at the town and I look forward to advancing that knowledge even further in the future. 

Prior to coming to work for the Town of Windham, Robinson served as an Audit Manager for a Certified Public Accounting firm for more than six years where his job was to manage and conduct audits of local governments including towns, schools, and tribal governments. In the audit process, he worked with Town Managers, Finance Directors, and others to review and verify the accuracy of their work and ensure that the final product of an audit, the financial statements, were “fairly stated.”

He said he always knew that he could eventually see himself working on the “other side of the desk” in a finance office where I would be the one doing the work to eventually be reviewed by an auditor instead of being the reviewer, but the impetus for that change came with the birth of his son.

“Audit fieldwork often entailed overnight travel and being away from home for an extended period wasn’t something I felt like I could do anymore as a new father,” Robinson said. “The opportunity as Assistant Finance Director in Windham was the perfect fit for me to stay close to home, while learning the internal nuances of town government in a complementary role within the Finance Department.” <

 

Nangle bill to codify 988 crisis lifeline in Maine becomes law

AUGUSTA – Last week Maine Gov. Janet T. Mills signed into law a bill from State Senator Tim Nangle, D-Windham, to formally recognize the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Maine statute.

State Senator Tim Nangle

Nangle's 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.

“When someone is in crisis, they need to know that help is there and easy to reach,” Nangle said. “Codifying 988 in Maine law helps ensure that this lifeline remains a stable, reliable part of our response system. It’s a practical step that strengthens support for people across our state when they need it most.”

LD 1216 will formally define the 988 Suicide & 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.

As non-emergency legislation, LD 1216 will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.

Earlier this spring, two other bills proposed by State Senator Tim Nangle (D-Windham) were advanced by committees for full votes in the Maine Legislature.

The legislature’s Transportation Committee voted unanimously to advance Nangle’s LD 2179, “An Act to Amend Certain Motor Vehicle Laws,” which would strengthen consumer protections for Mainers purchasing vehicles online. 

“Buying a vehicle is one of the largest purchases many families make,” Nangle said. “As more sales move online, Maine needs clear rules to make sure these companies are licensed, accountable and transparent with consumers. This bill helps ensure that when Mainers buy a car online, they still have the same protections they would expect at a local dealership.”

His LD 2179 includes provisions directing the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to establish a pilot program to license and regulate used-car dealers, such as Carvana, who sell vehicles exclusively online to Maine consumers. The proposal creates a clear consumer protections framework for online-only dealerships, requiring them to obtain a state license, meet background and sales history requirements, maintain a $350,000 surety bond and comply with Maine and federal consumer disclosure laws.

Vehicles sold through these platforms would also be required to pass a Maine inspection before being delivered to the buyer, helping ensure that online vehicle purchases meet the same safety and transparency standards Mainers expect when buying from a traditional dealership.

These provisions cover dealers who sell many cars, comparable to a brick-and-mortar retail dealership, not Mainers who commonly use online platforms, such as Facebook Marketplace, to advertise and sell their used vehicles.

Nangle’s LD 2179 now awaits votes in the full Senate and House. 

The Maine Senate also voted unanimously, and on a bipartisan basis, to advance Nangle’s LD 2135, “An Act to Provide Funding to Keep Maine Veterans Housed.” The bill aims to prevent homelessness among Maine veterans by providing meaningful support to overcome common housing barriers.

“When someone has served our country, the least we can do is make sure they have a stable place to call home,” Nangle said. “This bill focuses on the real-world barriers veterans face and gives housing providers the flexibility to address them. I’m glad to see my colleagues in the Senate come together to support that effort.”

As amended by the Veterans and Legal Affairs committee, LD 2135 would establish the Veterans Housing Provider Incentive Fund within the Bureau of Veterans’ Services. This new fund would provide grants to nonprofit organizations that help veterans secure and maintain permanent housing.

State Senator Tim 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. <

Maine Bureau of Insurance saves residents $5.8 million on insurance costs in 2025

AUGUSTA – The Maine Bureau of Insurance has announced that its work to review and regulate insurance rates saved residents $5.8 million in potential increases for auto and homeowners coverage in 2025. The Bureau also recovered more than $4.5 million for Maine people and businesses through investigations into consumer complaints.

“Every day, our staff helps Mainers navigate insurance questions and concerns,” said Maine Bureau of Insurance Superintendent Bob Carey. “We carefully review proposed rate increases to ensure they are justified, helping keep coverage fair and affordable for Maine people and businesses.”

Keeping Auto Insurance Low

For personal auto insurance, the bureau approved rate changes that kept overall premiums flat in 2025, benefiting more than 900,000 policyholders. This oversight has helped Maine remain one of the most affordable states in the country for auto insurance.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Maine drivers paid an average annual premium of $926 based on 2023 data – the lowest in the nation. The national average was $1,438, about 55 percent higher. The bureau estimates its review process prevented nearly $2 million in additional auto insurance costs this year.

Limiting Homeowners Insurance Increases 

In the homeowner’s insurance market, approved rate changes resulted in an average increase of 2.9 percent in 2025, affecting about 340,000 policyholders. The bureau’s review process – including rejecting or modifying some proposed increases – saved homeowners an estimated $3.8 million.

Returning Money to Consumers

Beyond rate reviews, the bureau helps consumers resolve issues such as denied claims, underpayments, and incorrect charges.

In 2025, these efforts resulted in more than $4.5 million returned to Maine residents and businesses.

Carey reports that the Consumer Health Care Division of the Maine Bureau of Insurance handled 3,125 inquiries and investigated 324 complaints, recovering about $1.5 million.

He says that the Property and Casualty Division of the Maine Bureau of Insurance responded to 4,145 inquiries and investigated 290 complaints, recovering more than $3 million.

For further details, visit the Maine Bureau of Insurance online at https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/home. <

March results show stability for Cumberland County real estate market

Cumberland County saw continued stability for the month of March when compared to the same time frame last year.

Yvonne Myer

According to recent statistics released by Maine Listings, units sold went up by 9.4 percent this past month when compared to March 2025, while median sales prices increased by 16.86 percent.

While several towns experienced significant increases when compared to last year, many of those increases came from small transaction counts and do not appear to reflect a countywide shift.

“Overall, March showed a steady Cumberland County market, with healthy year-over-year gains in both sales activity and median price,” said Yvonne Myer, President of the Greater Portland Board of REALTORS®. “The month’s larger town-level fluctuations are consistent with local inventory changes, but the countywide numbers continue to point to a stable market environment.”

Myer said that Greater Portland Board of REALTORS® will continue to monitor inventory levels and price fluctuations throughout the area.

““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 to make informed real estate decisions.”

The March 2026 market statistics are from Maine Real Estate Information System, Inc. Data reflects median sold prices for single-family homes reported as sold in March 2026. All statistics represent point-in-time data collected on the seventh business day of each month and may reflect late reporting of sold data from a prior period. 

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. <

RSU 14 teacher’s reading curriculum earns Johns Hopkins University review

By Lorraine Glowczak

Reading is not just an area of study taught in school; it is the foundation for successful learning in all subjects. For the past two decades, kindergarten and first grade teachers across the country have noticed students lacking the foundational skills needed to read and understand text. Research shows that early intervention is far more efficient, with students achieving similar outcomes in significantly less time when support begins in first grade rather than later years.

Students and teachers celebrate RSU 14's Kirsten Chansky's
Sounds of Success phonemic awareness program has been
reviewed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University and
meets ESSA Tier 4 evidence criteria, meaning it is 
grounded in established research. 
PHOTO BY LORRAINE GLOWCZAK  

RSU 14 educator Kirsten Chansky began noticing this trend years ago while teaching first grade in another district. Year after year, she saw the same challenge surface among her students and decided something needed to change.

“Every year I had a group of students who struggled,” Chansky said. “I followed the programs and used what I understood to be best practice at the time, but their progress remained slow – I knew something was missing.”

Knowing there was more to the pattern she was seeing, Chansky began examining her own instruction and connecting with other accomplished teachers and saw the same patterns among their students.

“I decided to dig deeper, researching the most recent studies on reading instruction, and discovered that the phonemic awareness program we were using, described as the latest and most effective, did not align with the research,” Chansky said. “Multiple studies confirmed the same conclusions, which conflicted with what we were teaching. I began to question whether our approach was aligned with how reading development actually works.”

In her research, she found two key differences that stood out. First instruction should connect sounds to letters – the way students use those skills when reading and writing. Second, instruction should focus on putting together and pulling apart the smallest units of sound – like in /k/, /a/, /t/ (cat)—rather than spreading attention across multiple skills like clapping syllables or rhyming.

“Reading is a decoding process,” Chansky said. “The brain must map sounds to letters. When students understand individual sounds they then have the building blocks for reading and spelling. They can blend sounds into words, and segment words into sounds to spell. If instruction starts with larger units, children may rely on memorization rather than understanding how words work, making it hard to read and spell unfamiliar words later.”

The development of her Sounds of Success phonemic awareness curriculum, which began more than seven years ago, has been reviewed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University and meets ESSA Tier 4 evidence criteria – meaning it is grounded in established research.

Wanting to improve instruction for her students, she began applying what she had learned in research to her own classroom. Within weeks, she saw noticeable improvement.

Chansky eventually joined RSU 14, overseeing Title I interventions at Raymond Elementary School. With the support of Raymond Elementary Principal Beth Peavey, who prioritized a shift toward research-based instruction, the work began in intervention settings and kindergarten classrooms.

“We saw strong outcomes across students and classrooms,” Chansky said. “With that evidence, I approached Christine Hesler (RSU 14 Curriculum Director), Christine Frost-Bertinet (RSU Assistant Superintendent), and RSU 14 Superintendent of Schools Christopher Howell. Not only did they support the work, but they asked me to bring it to the curriculum committee and school board.”

With strong support, Jessica Melcher, the Literacy Coach for RSU 14, introduced Sounds of Success to teachers across the district’s elementary schools, with similar outcomes.

“At the beginning of the year, 66 percent of our students were at high risk for reading difficulty, and that was alarming,” Melcher said. “What’s been most impactful is not just the growth we’re seeing, but how it’s happening. When instruction is explicit, systematic, and grounded in research, students make meaningful connections between sounds and print – and begin to build the confidence to see themselves as readers.”

Chansky is currently working with Johns Hopkins University on an advanced level of evaluation that includes a formal research study, including an analysis of student outcomes, with results expected soon.

Frost-Bertinet said that Chansky's Sounds of Success phonemic awareness program stands as a powerful example of what is possible when expertise, dedication, and evidence-based practice come together.

“Since its implementation in our early elementary classrooms, we have seen remarkable growth in our emergent readers; this is a direct reflection of the thoughtful, research-aligned instruction at the heart of the program,” she said. “The recognition Kirsten has received from Johns Hopkins University only reinforces what our data already tells us: structured literacy instruction, delivered well and from the start, changes outcomes for kids. We are incredibly grateful for Kirsten's vision and unwavering commitment to our youngest learners."

Currently more than six school districts in Maine have chosen to implement Chansky’s Sounds of Success curriculum in their classrooms. <

Cooper seeking re-election to Maine House District 107

By Ed Pierce

Republican Mark Cooper of Windham has announced that he is seeking a second term representing Windham District 107 in the Maine House of Representatives.

Mark Cooper of Windham, a Republican, is seeking a
second term representing Windham District 107 in
the Maine House of Representatives.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Cooper is a lifelong Windham resident and a graduate of Windham High School. He and his wife of 42 years, Gaylene, have two sons and two grandchildren and own and operate a farm with their family producing maple syrup, greenhouse plants, beef cattle and miniature horses. Cooper is also their third-generation owner of a family construction business called L C Cooper Co Inc., which opened in 1970.

“I have been honored to represent Windham in the 132nd Maine Legislature,” Cooper said. “As the legislature’s second session is beginning to reach the end, the workload has been rapidly increasing. Serving the residents of Windham has been challenging and rewarding. I have worked hard to represent all of Windham to the best of my ability. The challenge is enormous as the interest and wishes of the community range from one extreme to the other. Most people land somewhere nearer the middle. I receive thousands of emails and try to respond to nearly all from constituents. Unfortunately, some emails get flagged as spam or phishing due to copied content.”

Cooper says that one of his goals in representing Windham in the state House of Representatives has been to work on saving Mainers’ money and reducing taxes.

“Reducing waste and following fiscal responsibility was and is a priority. Over the last eight years our state budget has grown from little over $6 billion to the current proposed budget of $12 billion,” Cooper said. “That is nearly double. That much increase is totally out of control. Maine has been and is spending hundreds of millions of dollars with absolutely no accountability or guardrails where the taxpayers’ money goes. This taxpayer money is your hard-earned money. I have yet to find anyone who wants to pay more taxes, either local, state or federal. The current House, Senate and Governor’s office are controlled by one party, who by the numbers alone can control every vote on and pass any bill other than an emergency bill. This control has allowed a ‘spend and tax mentality’ that has increased taxes and fees every year to match the out-of-control spending.”

If re-elected this November, Cooper said he will continue to vote for fiscally responsible bills with proper guardrails and accountability.

“The out-of-control Department of Health and Human Services is a serious issue with the massive amount of spending, failed audits and total unaccountability,” he said. “The number of child deaths under the control of DHHS is staggering and totally unacceptable. The current fraud being exposed with DHHS funding is growing weekly and getting Federal attention. This is our tax money not getting to the people of Maine who need it.” 

During Cooper’s first term serving in the Maine House after being elected in 2024, he proposed three bills that were subsequently passed by the legislature and then signed into law by the governor.

“I have worked closely with representatives and senators to get many other bills passed and signed into law,” he said. “Working with all parties in legislature to get responsible bills passed for the benefit of Maine is a priority.”

According to Cooper, one of the lesser-known parts of being a legislator is working with constituents to help them with issues relating to state government and occasionally federal.

“This part of the job gets no publicity and yet can be very rewarding helping solve problems for residents,” he said. “Some are just making the right connections for a quick and simple resolution. Unfortunately, some are extremely complicated and not easily resolved. Over the past year and a half, I have enjoyed meeting many constituents visiting the State House in Augusta. I would urge anyone to visit the State House during active sessions to watch and see the Maine Legislature at work.”

Cooper says he doesn’t take the opportunity to serve his community for granted.

“I appreciate all the support and help with the opportunity to serve the residents of District 107 in the 132nd Maine Legislature and welcome your support in my re-election campaign,” he said. “I am running again as a Maine Clean Election Campaign candidate.” <

Windham sewer main construction on River Road starts soon

By Ed Pierce

It’s about to get tricky when driving on River Road in Windham as construction to install sewer mains there is about to start.

Construction work is expected to start in the next few weeks
to install sewer mains for Route 302 in Windham up to
the River Road intersection. COURTESY PHOTO

According to a notice posted online by the Town of Windham, in late January, the Portland Water District issued a competitive request for bids to install a sewer main from the new Windham/Raymond Middle School under construction on Windham Center Road to the new Windham Wastewater Treatment Plant in North Windham.

The Portland Water District says that Shaw Brothers Construction submitted the most competitive bid and were awarded the contract for the project. Primary items in the project’s scope of work includes creation of a pump station next to the new middle school on Windham Center Road; installing a 6-inch force main from the new pump station to the intersection of River Road and Route 302, which is about 2.5 miles away; installing a 15-inch gravity sewer main from the River Road and Route 302 intersection to the previously installed sewer manhole at the entrance of Sposedo Road, where sewer main was previously installed in 2024 to connect to the new Windham Wastewater Treatment Plant; and replacing the existing, old water main on Windham Center Road from Paliheco Road to the Windham Center Road and River Road roundabout.

Town officials say that the gravity sewer main running from Sposedo Road to the Route 302/River Road intersection will be installed at the edge of the northbound lane of 302. It will then cross under the intersection over to the southbound lane of River Road where it will be installed under the shoulder of the road. The sewer line will then continue down River Road to the roundabout where it will be installed under the roundabout over to the eastbound side of Windham Center Rd to Paliheco Road and the pump station.

This construction work is expected to start in mid-April for the Route 302 section and continue up to the River Road intersection wrapping up by the end of May. To accomplish this, officials say that for this section of road there will be a closure of the northbound lane of Route 302. 

Work to cross the sewer main through Route 302 and River Road intersection will be performed at night. The construction to continue work onto River Road will start in late May or early June and last throughout the summer.

Sewer main installation on River Road in Windham will involve a southbound lane closure. There will also be a single-lane closure on Windham Center Road where work is expected to start in September and continue throughout the remainder of the fall months.

The notice posted by town officials says that full Restoration of all the road sections impacted by the sewer main installation will be complete by the spring or summer of 2027.

Sewer main installation involves excavating trenches, laying pipes, and ensuring a proper downward slope for gravity flow. The process includes site surveying, obtaining permits, placing bedding material, inspecting joints, and backfilling.

The new Windham Wastewater Treatment Plant is expected to open by the end of this month on the grounds of Manchester School in North Windham. The facility will use Membrane Bio-Reactor technology with innovative drip dispersal and will be the first system to use drip dispersal of this scale in Maine.

Portland Water District and Town of Windham officials say that this type of technology is designed to improve the quality of local groundwater and local waterways, and was chosen for its reliability, flexibility, and overall cost effectiveness for operation. <

Windham Veterans Center seeks community support for solar panel project

By Dina Mendros

About 600 members belong to the organizations that call the Windham Veterans Center home, and those groups provide vital support to local veterans and the wider community. But like everyone else, the center is facing rising operating costs. To help stabilize expenses, the Windham Veterans Association (WVA), which oversees the facility, is working to install solar panels – and is asking residents and businesses to help make it possible.

Windham American Legion Auxiliary Unit 148 will host
a yard sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18
at the Windham Veterans Center with proceeds donated
to support installation of solar panels for the facility.
COURTESY PHOTO  

The cost to purchase and install 25 solar panels is $36,000, with the option to add more panels later if heat pumps are installed to reduce natural gas use. So far, the project has raised about $15,000.

“The cost of purchasing the solar panels is equal to our monthly Central Maine Power payment,” said WVA President Tom Theriault. The center currently pays an average of $347 per month at a rate of $0.383 per kilowatt hour. Under a proposal from Cool Blue Solar, the average monthly electric bill over the next 25 years would drop to $55, at a rate of $0.079 per kilowatt hour.

Over 25 years, that would amount to an estimated $197,939 in savings.

“Once the cost of the solar is paid off, we will be self-sufficient,” Theriault said. “We can use the money saved to serve veterans better.”

The project is being funded entirely through donations and fundraising events, but Theriault says that “fundraising seems to have stagnated.”

A GoFundMe page has been created, though it has raised only $250 so far. Donations can be made at gofundme.com/f/support-windham-veterans-mission. Mailings have also been sent to local businesses, and posters have been placed around town.

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 148 will host a yard sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at the Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans Memorial Drive, behind the Hannaford Supermarket Complex in North Windham Complex. A variety of items will be available, none priced over $20, said ALA member Celeste Kennedy. Doughnuts, hot dogs, drinks, and baked goods will also be sold. All proceeds will support the solar project.

A bean supper fundraiser will follow the same day at 4:30 p.m. also at the Windham Veterans Center.

A collaboration between American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643, the Windham Veterans Center was founded in the early 1990s and opened in 1999. The Windham Veterans Association was formed as an organization to support the needs of both posts.

The Windham Veterans Center plays a central role in the lives of veterans and community members throughout Greater Windham. It serves as home base for the American Legion Field Allen Post 148, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Auxiliary, and Boy Scout Troop 805.

“Some veterans only get out once a week or once a month,” Theriault said. “The Windham Veterans Center provides them with that place to go.”

Services and programs include free Wednesday morning coffee hours; access to a Veterans Service officer, low-cost hall rentals for the public, nonprofits, and veterans, a Veterans Memorial Garden for reflection and remembrance, free use of the hall for Red Cross blood drives, a no-cost veterans cookout each October and more.

Beyond regular programming, the organizations housed at the center frequently step in to help veterans in need – recently assisting with home repairs, purchasing a refrigerator for a veteran, and covering property taxes for another so they could remain in their home.

“The Windham Veterans Association is a nonprofit, and the way we pay our bills is by having bean suppers, renting the hall, and personal donations from members,” Theriault said. “This solar project will make it a lot easier to pay expenses and maintain the building and grounds. It will help ensure that we are here for veterans for the long haul.”

To support the Windham Veterans Center Solar Project, donations can be mailed to WVA, P.O. Box 1776, Windham, ME 04062, (please reference WVA SOLAR).

For tax purposes, WVA is a 509(c)(3) organization.

For more details about the solar project, contact Theriault at 207-405‑8218 or [email protected]. <

Candidate field complete for races representing Windham and Raymond in Augusta

By Ed Pierce

The field of candidates has been finalized for elected state legislative positions representing Windham and Raymond in Augusta.

For State Senate District 26, two candidates will be on the ballot in the State Primary on June 9 vying for the Republican nomination.

Kenneth J. Cianchette, a Windham business owner who was the Republican candidate for this position two years ago is being challenged in the primary by first-time candidate Peter G. Violette, who also owns a business in Windham.

The winner of the primary race will face incumbent Democrat Timothy Nangle of Windham in the general election in November. Nangle, a former Windham Town Councilor, was first elected to the Maine Senate in 2022 and he defeated Cianchette in the 2024 election to win a second term as state senator.

State Senate District 26 serves Windham, Raymond, Casco, Frye Island and part of Westbrook in the Maine Legislature.

State Senators are members of the state's upper chamber, as part of the state's bicameral legislature. State senators are responsible for voting on bills related to public policy matters, levels for state spending, raises or decreases in taxes, and whether to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

Neither Maine House of Representative districts for Windham will have primary challenges in June, but voters will instead decide in November between candidates. 

In House District 106 representing part of Windham, incumbent Republican Barbara Bagshaw is seeking a third term and will face Democrat Bradley M. Youngs in the general election. Bagshaw, a former art educator, was first elected to the position in 2022 and won re-election in 2024. Youngs, a father and school volunteer, has lived in Windham since 2013.

Republican incumbent Mark C. Cooper of Windham will seek a second term in the Maine House in November representing part of Windham in House District 107. Cooper, a building contractor and farmer, was elected as a state representative in 2024 and will be opposed by Democrat Joseph A. Campbell, a long-term Substitute at Gray/New Gloucester High School and a graduate student at the University of Maine. 

Former Raymond Select Board Chair Rolf Olsen, a Republican and a licensed insurance agent, is running for re-election in Maine House District 86. Olsen was first elected to the position in 2024 and will face Democrat Abigail Geer of Raymond in the general election in November. Geer, a private school administrator, was a candidate for the Raymond Select Board in 2021.

Maine House District 86 serves Raymond, Casco, Frye Island and part of Poland.

State Representatives are members of the state's lower chamber, as part of the state's bicameral legislature. State representatives are responsible for voting on bills related to public policy matters, levels for state spending, raises or decreases in taxes, and whether to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes. <

In the public eye: WHS/WMS Athletics & Facilities Coordinator manages complex challenges

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

By Ed Pierce

It’s been a long professional journey for Marleen Bicknell, but RSU 14 is certainly happy to have her as part of its team.

Marleen Bicknell has worked for RSU
14 for the past 25 years and is currently
serving as Athletics & Facilities
Coordinator for Windham High School
and Windham Middle School.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

As Athletics & Facilities Coordinator for Windham High School and Windham Middle School, Bicknell manages facility use for the athletic department. She handles all the awards, game programs, athletic webpage updates and keeps track of all the coaching certifications to keep the school current with the Maine Principal’s Association deadlines.

“Really, there are just too many tasks to list that fall under our department that I either work on alone or assist the Athletic Director with,” Bicknell said. “We are always working on the upcoming season during the current sports season, so there really isn’t downtime.”

For parents, Bicknell is recognizable by name as she sends out emails for student sports signups, or for her Parent Square posts about sports clinics or camps.

“The students are checked for eligibility based on state and district requirements and policies,” Bicknell said. “I determine busing for every away event, including departure and return times, and submit the bus requests. With the growth of facility use and the athletic department now exceeding one-third of the total facility use, excluding outside field use, I now manage the facility use for the athletic department solely.”

She has been working for the school district for 25 years but didn’t start at Windham High School.

“I had always wanted to be a teacher from an early age growing up in New Hampshire. But with my children enrolled in the Windham school system, I had the yearning to be one of them.” Bicknell said. “I had such respect and idolized my children's teachers. I have always wanted to pay-it-forward, make a difference in someone's life, and feel good about the job I was doing. So, after all my children were in school, I began that quest.”

Her career with RSU 14 began when she was hired as a noon aide and recess monitor at Windham Primary School. That led to serving as a long-term substitute for a third-grade teacher.

“There was a need for someone to fill science kits for K-5, and gladly, I accepted, doing all three jobs,” Bicknell said. “I took over an empty room and turned it into the Science Resource Room, where I not only filled the science kits, but also acquired a large donation of rocks and minerals for the kids to come and learn. I got so excited that my dream of working with students was coming true. I took it up a notch and did all the work to organize lessons, where the teachers brought their classes to me for their Science block, and we learned about silk worms with live caterpillars going through their stages, we had lessons on rocks and minerals, we learned about weather, and I held open house along with the rest of the school.” 

Bicknell also worked as a long-term main office substitute before accepting a limited part-time position assisting the new high school athletic director. Prior to Windham having an athletic director, PE teachers handled athletics, but the school was expanding and in the beginning stages of planning for renovation and an addition.

“I gradually increased my hours to full-time because now we also had an auditorium that needed managing. I took on facilities reservations for our building and then it grew to reservations for the district. The next addition to my tasks was being involved with security measures that were implemented in our schools. I was instrumental in the rollout of our badges and other security measures.”

According to Bicknell, coordinating athletics can be daunting.

“To change one game due to weather, first requires coordinating with our opponent, can we get officials, do we have a conflict of facility use, including moving teams that were scheduled to practice, can we get a bus, do we have event coverage, meeting MPA deadlines for varsity sports, so sometimes we have to cancel a sub varsity game to get in our varsity games that count for playoffs,” she said. “Many times, we have multiple events on one day that all need to be rescheduled.”

Despite these challenges, Bicknell is proud of the work she performs.

“Whether I’m on the frontline like a teacher or a coach, I’m the support that those folks on the frontline can’t live without,” she said. “And that holds for all our support staff in the district, whether they are a custodian, technology, kitchen, student services, office staff, special education, grounds, or maintenance. We are all one team working together for the same reason.” <

Local workshops to help seniors reclaim voice and connection

By Masha Yurkevich

Maine has the highest percentage population of residents aged 65 and over in the United States, making it the only state where seniors outnumber children. Many of these older residents are living alone and feeling isolated, and to battle this issue, Windham residents Rev. Patricia Bessey and Karen Swasey are offering a special program at the Windham Public Library in April called “Everyone Has a Story: A Community Reflection Workshop.”

Windham residents Rev. Patricia Bessey and Karen Swasey
are offering a special program at the Windham Public
Library in April called 'Everyone Has a Story: A
Community Reflection Workshop' and it is designed
to help older residents to slow down, reconnect, and
explore the meaningful threads of their life stories
in a gentle, guided setting. COURTESY PHOTO

It is designed to help people slow down, reconnect, and explore the meaningful threads of their life stories in a gentle, guided setting.

Bessey is the founder and the President of Soaring Eagles Ministry, and the reflection workshop falls under that umbrella. Swasey is an author who writes and honors the stories of others in narrative medicine, which is the baseline of what Soaring Eagles Ministry does. She has also worked in healthcare for 30 years and works with Bessey to help create programs.

"As people age, they start losing contact with the world that they used to be part of," says Bessey, "Isolation and depression become very prevalent in their lives. We want the community to slow down and give them a chance to rediscover their own voice. When people are isolated, they have a sense that their life no longer matters and that nobody wants to hear from them; people are hungry for connection and reflection, and this workshop provides exactly that. Soaring Eagles is committed to creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. This workshop is one way we bring that mission to life.”

Bessey met Swasey through the Sebago Lake Region Fuller Center for Housing where they shared ideas and clicked.

"I retired in 2018 and since then have written six books," says Swasey. "I had no idea at the time that writing these books would become stepping stones within what we are now doing to help people to honor their story."

The workshop is ideal for adults and elders who enjoy personal reflection and community connection. No writing experience is needed – just an open heart and a willingness to explore, they say. This uplifting program invites participants to reflect on the experiences that have shaped them, open their hearts to new insight, and listen for the quiet wisdom within.

Through simple prompts, reflection, and supportive conversation, there will be three themes explored:

Everyone Has a Story — honoring the journeys that made us.

Open My Eyes to My Heart — reconnecting with our feelings and inner truth.

Echoes From My Soul — remembering the wisdom that has been waiting to be heard.

“Narrative medicine is all around honoring your story,” says Swasey.

Maine not only has the largest percentage of population over 65 but also has 66 percent of woman age 65 and over living alone, which even more gave Bessey and Swasey the mission to help isolated seniors rediscover their voice and find connection through workshops.

In her healthcare career, Swasey observed patients when she used narrative medicine. 

“We talked about them and all the things they enjoyed doing, and by doing so, we watched medications drop off – they were no longer necessary – blood pressure was not as high as it used to be,” says Swasey.

Bessey explained that the program aims to help participants reflect on past experiences that made them feel connected and alive, focusing on heart work rather than head work. She described using techniques like asking about childhood memories to help people reconnect with their purpose and emotions. The concept of narrative medicine, which involves honoring people's life stories alongside their physical health, is an approach that can lead to improved health outcomes by addressing emotional aspects and reconnecting individuals with their inner wisdom and past experiences.

Both Bessey and Swasey stress the fact that they do not “fix” or interpret people, they honor them; every person carries a story that holds wisdom, memory, and mystery.

“Our work begins with the belief that each life contains sacred echoes –moments, memories, and experiences that shape who we are,” says Bessey. “When someone feels seen and heard, healing begins quietly and naturally.”

During the workshop, Bessey and Swasey will share a few slides and other things to prompt guests to reflect which can be done by either writing or sharing with the rest of the group. The two-hour workshop presentation will focus on narrative medicine and personal storytelling.

“This workshop is not a class, not a lecture, and it is not therapy,” says Bessey. “It is a gentle journey into the story of each person. You do not need to bring anything but yourself because this program meets you where you are.”

For more details about the workshops, Beesey and Swasey advise the public to keep an eye on the Windham Public Library website for specific dates and times. <

Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife releases 2025-2035 Maine Wildlife Action Plan

AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has completed the 2025-2035 Maine Wildlife Action Plan, a wildlife conservation blueprint that provides voluntary, non-regulatory strategies for protecting Maine's most vulnerable fish and wildlife and leverages additional federal conservation funding.

For the past two years, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife worked collaboratively with the Maine Natural Areas Program, the Maine Department of Marine Resources, and Maine Audubon on the Plan. Over 100 conservation partners participated, and over 323 public comments were submitted.

"Maines most vulnerable wildlife are at the crossroads. We have seen significant declines in birds and other species during our lifetimes," said MDIFW Commissioner Judy Camuso. This plan provides a blueprint to help protect Maines natural heritage and prevent further decline of one of Maines most treasured resources, our fish and wildlife, and the woods and waters they call home.

The resulting Plan identifies 721 Species of Greatest Conservation Need, representing species that are declining in Maine, are intrinsically rare, or for which Maine has a unique stewardship responsibility. These species are found in freshwater aquatic, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems. This is an increase from the 2015 Maine Wildlife Action Plan, which identified 378 species of greatest conservation need. The bulk of the increase is driven primarily through the inclusion of plants, which were not part of earlier plans, closer examination of inland invertebrates, and declines in additional bird species.

The most-commonly identified threats associated to species and their habitats include development and land conversion resulting in habitat loss, climate change and severe weather, invasive species, pollution, and lack of knowledge. The Action Plan includes conservation actions that are proposed specifically to address these threats. These actions are all designed to prevent further decline of these species, are voluntary and non-regulatory. Halting these species decline now would prevent the need for more restrictive and expensive conservation methods, or even possible listing under the state or federal endangered species act.

Over 90 percent of Maine is privately owned. All of Maine’s citizens and our visitors understand the importance of Maines vast natural resources, said Alex Fish, MDIFWs Endangered and Threatened Species Coordinator. Maines Wildlife Action Plan identifies priority conservation species and provides a menu of strategies for landowners, conservation entities, and members of the public to help stem the decline of Maines most vulnerable species. This is a plan for everyone.

Maine’s Wildlife Action Plan is not only a roadmap to helping species in decline throughout Maine, but it also provides the department and others with the ability to apply for Federal, State and Tribal wildlife grants, which help supplement funding for Maine’s vast wildlife diversity.

For more details, view the 2025-2035 Maine Wildlife Action Plan on the MDIFW website at mefishwildlife.com/swap <