News articles
Absentee ballots are available to pick up starting May 10th through June 8th at noon. They will be accepted up until the polls close on June 11th (8pm).
To request a ballot come into the Town Office during normal business hours or contact the Town Clerk, Louise Lester, at 655-4742 x 121.
For Raymond Residents or Property Owners
May 2013
The Raymond Community Forest Proposal was presented to the Raymond Board of Selectmen on August 14, 2012. The presentation and handout detailed the 347 +/- acres of forestland in North Raymond located on Conesca Road owned by Hancock Land Company (HLC) that includes level to gently sloping land between the road and Crescent Lake, and Pismire Mountain on the north side of the road (see attached Map). The presentation described the Raymond Conservation Commission’s (RCC) interest in the property since 2007 and recent communications with Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) and HLC to advance a potential community forest project. (Click for larger image)
The Selectmen asked for more information, mainly on the strategy (how to secure the land), project budget, ownership and potential income sources that the property may provide in the long term. Since then the RCC and LELT have met on several occasions to advance these issues, including an estimate of sustainable timber harvest revenue, to have a definite proposal to the Selectmen.
LELT and the RCC are to meet with the Selectmen on May 14, 2013 to discuss the details of the proposal. This survey has been prepared to get a preliminary reading from the community on the interest in this project. Please complete the following survey to the best of your ability. The results will be shared with the Selectmen and will help all parties decide if this is a viable project for the town.
Take survey HERE
Thanks for your input – it is important for the town and community !
Raymond Conservation Commission
For more information contact:
John Rand, RCC Chair
There will be no Planning Board meeting held in May due to a lack of applications.
Under legislation passed in 2008, as of Jan. 1, 2013, a person certified by the DEP in erosion control best practices must be on-site of any activity that disturbs more than one cubic yard of soil –including earth moving, logging or landscaping operations– in the shoreland zone until work is complete and the site stabilized. The shoreland zone is an area defined as within 250 feet of rivers, wetlands, lakes and the ocean and 100 feet of certain streams.
For companies with several sites being operated simultaneously, this means multiple employees –one for each job site– needs to be certified.
Certification is obtained by attending a daylong course offered by DEP and having a construction site evaluation by staff from one of Maine’s non-regulatory soil and water conservation districts. Recertification must be obtained every three years, and can be done by attending a continuing education course or through a DVD training and recertification quiz.
To ensure contractors who want to can continue to work after the deadline, the department has scheduled more than a dozen courses across the state from Frenchville to Kittery between January and May, with another stacked schedule for the fall currently being planned.
Helpful Links:
2011 MAINE RESIDENTS PROPERTY TAX AND RENT REFUND PROGRAM
“Circuit Breaker Program”
DEADLINE MAY 31, 2013
The Maine Residents Property Tax and Rent Refund Program’s deadline is May 31, 2013. This state program refunds part of your property tax or rent if you qualify. Qualifications are:
GENERAL PROGRAM:
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You do not have a spouse or dependent(s) and your 2011 household income was $64,950 or less; or
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You have a spouse or dependent(s) and your 2011 household income was $86,600 or less and
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Your 2011 property tax was more than 4% of your 2011 household income; or,
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The rent you paid on 2011 was more than 20% of your 2011 household income.
SENIOR PROGRAM:
Senior program refunds are available to applicants who were at least 62 in 2011 (55 or over if disabled). In addition, for persons living alone, the household income for 2011 cannot be more than $14,700; for a single person living with a dependent, or a married person who lived with a spouse, the 2011 household income cannot be more than $18,200.
This is it, the Raymond Road Runner is now back as a online resource of municipal and community news, announcements and events. Articles and image content can be submitted via email for publication to roadrunner@raymondmaine.org or dropped off at the Town Office on CD. Submitted content must be from individuals authorized on behalf of the town office, board, committee or organization that it pertains to. Out of town submitted content will be judged suitable for publication by its relevance or benefit to the residents of Raymond.
Raymond Village Community Church (RVCC) Wants Area Neighbors to
Help Create Maine’s Largest Yard Sale, Saturday, June 15
The Raymond Village Community Church (UCC) invites the public in Raymond and the Lakes Region to join in putting together the largest yard sale yet in Maine on Saturday, June 15, 2013.
“A single June yard sale gets lost among all the other yard sales.” says Church Yard Sale Coordinator Rolf Olsen, “But if we all work together, we can make the Raymond Center Yard Sale Extravaganza the place to be in Southern Maine on June 15th.”
Raymond Center, located as it is on Rte. 121, right off Rte. 302 just east of Sebago Lake, is easy to get to from anywhere in Cumberland County. It offers convenience and visibility with a rural village ambiance – perfect for such an event.
The Church is offering table space for a nominal fee to anyone interested in selling merchandise. The Church Vestry and Parking Lot will be full of vendors – sixteen vendors have already signed up, but there is space for more.
In addition, the Church is encouraging Raymond Center neighbors on Main Street, Mill Street, Gay Avenue, Meadow Road, and Chapel Street to hold their own yard sales that day or to let friends host yard sales on their property. “The more people who hold yard sales, the more traffic we can all attract, which helps everybody.” Olsen said.
The Church is asking for donations of any kind of saleable merchandise for the Yard Sale. Pick-ups can be arranged anywhere in the Lakes Region.
That day, the Church is also hosting a Pig Roast, a Midway for Kids, an appearance by Lovebug the Clown, and other activities to attract as many people as possible to the event.
Finally, the Church will be coordinating publicity and posters to boost the visibility of the Yard Sale Extravaganza.
For information about reserving table space, contact Polly at 892-4301. For other information or to arrange a merchandise pick-up, contact Rolf or Brenda Olsen at 655-4670.
The June Yard Sale is a major fundraiser for RVCC. The proceeds enable the Church to continue and expand its community and mission programs in Raymond and the broader world. Learn more about the programs of RVCC at www.rvccme.org.
RVCC: Little Church, Big Heart
Central Maine Power, a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, will perform tree trimming work in 16 communities in Southern Maine over the coming weeks. The work along utility lines is part of a $25 million annual vegetation management program to improve the reliability of its transmission and distribution lines.
“We maintain nearly 24,000 miles of roadside distribution lines on a five-year cycle of vegetation clearing, inspection, and repair,” said CMP spokesman John Carroll. “Contact with trees is the most frequent cause of blinking clocks and power outages, so customers should see better reliability as the crews trim along the roadsides in their towns.”
CMP’s arborists and contractors will be working in Acton, Berwick, Bridgton, Casco, Eliot, Harrison, Kittery, Kennebunkport, Lebanon, Long Island, Naples, Portland, Raymond, Shapleigh, South Portland, and York.
Motorists are urged to use caution when they encounter tree crews working alongside Maine roads.
“These crews play a key role in helping CMP provide the safe, reliable service that customers depend on,” said Carroll. “The work can be difficult, so we urge motorists who pass these crews to proceed slowly and at a safe distance.”
CMP contracts with professional arborists who are required to follow practices established by the International Society of Arboriculture. These include consideration for the health, shape, strength, growth rate, and appearance of trees before and after pruning. CMP notifies customers about its vegetation management activities every year with inserts in its bills. Customers can sign up to receive a notice when tree trimming is happening in their area. For more information, call CMP’s vegetation management department at 1-800-972-8600.
Additional information about CMP’s tree care program, along with tips for tree planting and care can be found on CMP’s Web site at http//www.cmpco.com – click on “Usage and Safety,” then “Tree Care.”
This canoe was found on the Jordan River by Panther Run Marina on Thursday, May 2nd. If you have any information, please contact Nathan White, Public Works Director at 653-3641. (Click for close up of image).
News From the Raymond Village Library
At a glance
- Wednesday, May 8 – Maine Author, Carol Lilleqvist Welsh, 6:00pm at the library
- Sunday, May 12 – Game Day, 1:00pm at the library
- Monday, May 13 – Publicity Committee Meeting, 3:30pm at the library
- Wednesday, May 22 – Columnist Tom Atwell, 6:00pm at the library
- Monday, May 27 – Memorial Day, the library will be closed
- Wednesday, May 29 – Book Group, 7:00pm at the library
Maine Author
The Raymond Village Library is pleased to host Maine author, Carol Lilleqvist Welsh, who will read passages from her memoir, 360 Square. In her book Carol discusses the importance of adoption in her life and how she overcame a difficult childhood. The program will begin at 6:00pm and those interested are asked to pre-register at the library on 3 Meadow Road, Raymond, by calling the library at 655-4283 or email at sally.holt@raymondvillagelibrary.org.
Game Day
This special time is for students 8 years and older. It begins at 1:00pm and no registration is needed, just come in and bring your friends. There will be all kinds of games available. Prizes and snacks will be part of this fun-filled afternoon. For more information call the library at 655-4283.
Portland Press Herald Columnist
The Raymond Village Library is welcoming spring in a variety of ways. On Wednesday, May 22, at 6:00pm, we welcome Tom Atwell who has written the Maine Gardener column in the Maine Sunday Telegram since the spring of 2004.
Tom grew up in Farmington and graduated from the University of Maine with a BA in Journalism. His gardening goal each year is to have continuous compost from his three compost bins, continuous bloom in his low-maintenance garden, and more fruits and vegetables on his family table than the garden pests eat in the field. Mr. Atwell’s talk is in conjunction with the Raymond Garden Tour to be held June 29, 2013, which benefits the Raymond Village Library. Due to limited seating, we ask those who plan to attend, to pre-register at the library or call 655-4283 to have their name added to the list or email the library at sally.holt@raymondvillagelibrary.org.
Annual Plant Sale
Our Annual Plant Sale is yet another way to welcome spring. Attention: All gardeners, plant and flower lovers, now is the time for cleaning out those flowerbeds, dividing and replacing your favorite plants. The Raymond Village Library’s Plant Sale on June 8 from 7:00am to 11:00am, can use all those extra plants you will be thinning out or removing to make room for new seedlings.
We continue to count on your help for this sale by putting aside those plants and bringing them to the library on June 7, the day before the sale from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Perennials are very popular, as are ground covers, flowering shrubs, vines, bedding plants and annuals. For more information, please call Marie at 221-0568, email mkconnolly@maine.rr.com or Jane at 655-5354, email janehubbell@maine.rr.com .
As a special attraction, there will be a Bake Sale at the same time. Sign-up sheets will be at the library for much needed volunteers to work on Friday and Saturday for the Plant Sale and also for talented bakers to contribute to the Bake Sale. See how much we need and love our amazing volunteers.
This combined plant and bake sale is great!! You will be able to pick up beautiful plants and also a treat for yourself or visiting weekend guests.
Spring-cleaning?
If you get the spring-cleaning bug, please keep your library in mind. Your donation of new and gently used books, DVD’s, audios and music CD’s are accepted at any time. Please make sure audio and video materials are in working order. Your donations are greatly appreciated and will be added to the collection when appropriate or placed in the book sale.
Memorial Day
Please make a note on your calendar that the library will be closed on Monday, May 27 in celebration of Memorial Day. It will however, be open on Sunday, May 26.
Summer Hours
Beginning May 1, the Raymond Village Library will be returning to summer hours.
Sunday – 10:00am to 7:00pm, Monday – 10:00am to 7:00pm and Wednesday – 10:00am to 7:00pm.
Book Group
The reading group has chosen the novel Digging to American, by Anne Tyler. The story deals with two families who meet in the summer of 1997 at a Baltimore airport lounge as each awaits the arrival of an adopted baby girl from Korea. One is an All American Couple and the other, an Iranian couple. The two families strike up a lasting friendship, yet each family decides to bring up their Korean daughter differently. The story outlines a clash of identities as well as a picture of what makes up a modern American family.
We welcome back our “snowbird members” and invite any and all interested readers to join us on Wednesday, May 29 at the Raymond Village Library at 7:00pm for what should prove to be a lively discussion.
The book will be available upon request at the library and for more information please call the library at 655-4283.
Story Times
On Mondays at 10:30, the story time at the Raymond Village Library is for infants to 3 year olds. On Wednesdays at 10:30, the story time is for preschoolers, 3 to 5 year old. For more information, call 655-4283.
Stephen and Tabitha King Grant
The Raymond Village Library has been awarded a Stephen and Tabitha King Grant of $10,000. This grant is specifically earmarked for the advancement of technology at the library.
We Need Your Help
In the present economy, we are all struggling to make ends meet and your library is no exception. This year our Annual Appeal has fallen short of necessary funds and so we ask you, our wonderful patrons, to consider making a donation if you have not yet done so and if you already have given, we thank you very much, and ask if you could see your way clear to add just a little bit more to what you have already given. We do need your help.
Maine Wildlife Park
Last year the Raymond Village Library purchased a Community Pass to the Maine Wildlife Park for all our patrons to use. It was well used and many have already asked if the library will be providing it again this year. Several generous library patrons have already contributed $125 and since the park is already open we are now accepting any donations, no matter how small or large to complete the necessary total of $225. Please bring your donation into the library and specify that it is for the Maine Wildlife Park.
The usual charges for the Park are: for ages 4-12= $5 each, ages 13-60= $7 each and 61+= $5 each. By using the Community Pass, each member of the group (no more than 7 people) will just be charged $2.50 each. This is a large savings per family and you can visit the park perhaps several times during the season, saving each time. It is a wonderful place for families to visit and to bring your summer company, as well as grandchildren who are visiting.
Point Sebago Raffle
Tickets for the five days at Point Sebago Raffle are still being sold at the library and also at four Raymond merchants: Crickets Corner, The Mosquito, Ultimate Hair and Tanning Salon and Krainin Real Estate. The tickets are being sold for $5 each and 4 tickets for $15. The winning tickets will be drawn on Sunday, May 26, the day before Memorial Day. What better way to begin the summer than being able to spend 5 fun-filled days enjoying all that Point Sebago Resort has to offer? All proceeds benefit the Raymond Village Library.
At the February 12, 2013 Board of Selectmen meeting, the Board saw presentations regarding a potential resolution to address the possible reversal of the Portland Pipeline and proactive response to oil spills.
Information made available by the Conservation Commission can be viewed HERE.
Information made available by the Healthy Waters Coaliltion can be viewed HERE and proposed resolution.
Information made available by the Portland Pipeline Corporation can be viewed HERE
Here is a list of suggested links:
- Association of Oil Pipelines
- American Petroleum Institute
- Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA)
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
- Dig Safe
- Environment Maine
- National Academy of Sciences: Study of Pipeline Transportation of Diluted Bitumen
- Pipeline 101 Information
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- Portland Pipeline Corporation
Some Local Media Reports
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Balentine, J. "Pipeline Debate Comes to Maine."
American Journal 19 Feb 2012, Website. -
Turkel, T. "Maine pipeline has a good safety record."
The Portland Press Herald 17 June 2012 Website. -
Balentine, J. "Pipeline debate prompts Raymond Beach protest."
Lakes Region Weekly 26 July 2012 Website. - CBC News (Feb. 15, 2013): Canadian diplomats continue oilsands defence in Maine
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Bridgers, L. "Tar sands oil fight moves to Maine Towns."
The Portland Press Herald 17 Feb 2013, Website.
RVCC Youth Group members Collette Boure and Bryce Sullivan spent this a chilly weekend (Nov. 10-11) with 40 other Maine United Church of Christ youth volunteers and their adult leaders cutting, splitting, hauling, and stacking over ten cords of wood to help heat buildings at the H.O.M.E. Mission Cooperative in Orland, Maine.
The RVCC Youth Group offers Service, Social, and Spiritual opportunities for area youth, 5th Grade through High School. All are welcome to participate in monthly Pizza & Movie Nights, mission and service trips and projects, and “just for fun” activities throughout the year. For information, contact Rev. Nancy Foran at the Church Office: 655-7749.
For 42 years, H.O.M.E. has been feeding, clothing, educating, employing, and sheltering unemployed and under-employed people in the Mid-Coast region. H.O.M.E. is part of the world-wide Emmaus Communities (http://www.planet-emmaus.org/)
RVCC: Little Church, Big Heart
Learn the Basics about e-Books, e-Readers and Computers
New to e-books? Have you been given an e-reader but haven’t got it figured out yet, or do you just want to find out more about them? You are invited to join Patrick Therrien and Jared Leadbetter from the Maine State Library in this two-hour introduction to the digital world of e-reading. You can expect to see a few of the more popular devices demonstrated, and to learn about some of the available resources out there, including the state-wide Overdrive Digital Library and other free services. Join us on August 22nd from 10-12am at the Raymond Village Library.
Patrick Therrien from the Maine State Library is back on August 29th from 10-12am to teach a two-hour introductory class on Basic Computer Skills. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn basic computer terminology and operating computer tasks and also gain an understanding of the Windows interface and the World-Wide Web. Patrick will be bringing ten laptops for the class to use.
Since space is limited for these free programs, please call the Raymond Village Library at 655-4283 or come by to register.
Local news forecasters on 25th August 2011, predict we will likely be on the east side of a tropical storm which will effect Maine on Sunday, 28 August into Monday, 29 August 2011 meaning we would experience the wind side of the storm with sustained ground level winds of 40 and 73 MPH, and heavy amounts of rain are possible. Storms such as this effect power grid systems and travel, can cause flooding, blocked roads, and extensive power outages.
Some important items for preparedness are but are not limited to:
- Have at least 1 gallon of drinking water on hand for each person for 3 to 7 days.
- Fill bath tubs so you can dip with a bucket and use for toilet flush water when needed.
- Make sure flashlights work and you have extra batteries.
- For parents with infants have extra baby formula and diapers on hand.
- Make sure cell phones are fully charged.
- Have canned goods with manual opener and or non perishable foods for up to 7 days.
- Make sure medication prescriptions are filled so as not to run out if trees block a road or a road washes out.
- Keep some cash on hand in case computer systems are effected by the storm.
- Make sure vehicle fuel tanks are full.
- Have a battery operated radio on hand and stock up on extra batteries.
- Fuel and test generators and generator circuits.
Other things to consider are:
- This may be a good time to have dead trees or branches over or near your home removed.
- Folks in flood prone areas should have a predetermined place to go if a flood occurs. Plan for pet care or sheltering as well. Take important papers such as insurance documents with you.
- If you have had issues with flooded basements in the past make sure to move valuables to shelving above water levels or remove them from the basement.
- Check sump pumps make sure they are in working order, and that the generator circuit runs the pump if the power does go out.
- If needed, place generators safely away from the building and away from openings which will allow Carbon monoxide in your home.
- Secure lawn furniture and other loose items in the yard so they do not become wind blown projectiles.
- Never leave candles or lanterns unattended, or in use when sleeping.
- Do not place candles on combustible surfaces.
- If cooking on a grill charcoal or propane do not use it inside a structure due to Carbon Monoxide risks.
As always, in an emergency call 911
As of JULY 1st, 2011 the Pine Tree Waste routes will change on North Raymond Road and side roads and Webbs Mills Road from Plains Road to the Casco town line and side roads.
NORTH RAYMOND ROAD will now be THURSDAY
WEBBS MILLS ROAD from Plains Rd to the Casco town line will now be MONDAY.
