Around the Park

OPA Community Email Update - 05.19.2009

2009-05-18T15:10:00.001-04:00

OPA Community Email Update

Ocean Park Opening Supper

Welcome
in the 129th season with your Ocean Park Friends and Neighbors at the
Oceanwood Dining Hall on Saturday, May 23, at 6:00 PM. Tickets are $12
each and are available only in advance at the Oean Park Association
office. Click here
to download a ticket order form, or call (207) 934-9068 x200 to order
byu credit card over the phone. You can also purchase tickets through
our online giving portal by clicking here (or visit: www.oceanpark.org and select "Online Giving" from the "Give/Volunteer" menu.) Make sure you note how many tickets you'd like.

Seating is limited - so be sure to order soon!

Ocean Park Social at Dunegrass

The first-ever Ocean Park Social will be held at the elegant Dunegrass Country Club on Thursday, July 2, at 6:00 PM.
Attendants will be treated to tasty hors d’oeuvres, non-alcoholic
beverages, an extensive cash bar, photos, slides, and wonderful stories
about the place we all know and love. What better way to kick off the
Fourth of July Weekend than an evening with your Ocean Park friends and
neighbors? Want to get to know those people you’ve seen on the beach,
at the grocery store, in the Post Office, or at the Soda Fountain over
the years? Come join the Ocean Park Social!

To
reserve your tickets, call Kelly in the OPA Office at 207-934-9068
x200, or mail your check (made out to the Ocean Park Association) to
Box 7296, Ocean Park, ME 04063. Be sure to include your name, phone
number, and the number of tickets you would like. Reservations must be made by June 15, 2009.

Come
make new friends, see old acquaintances, and help the Ocean Park
Association for just $25 per person. Summer will be here before you
know it – reserve your tickets now for this fun-filled event!

Guild Park Trails Rehabilitation

For
a number of years, Ocean Park has been a beneficiary of the York County
United Way's Day of Caring; individuals and groups sign up for
volunteer projects at various non-profits. This year's Day of Caring
is on Wednesday, June 3. Saco Bay Trails is partnering with
the OPA on a projrct to clean up and improve the trails in Guild Park.
In addition to clearing and re-blazing trails, a simple plank
footbridge will be built across the stream and a small kiosk (like the
one found at the Ted Wells trailhead in Camp Oceanwood) will be put up
at the entrance on Temple Avenue at Manor Street. We anticipate that
thius will be the start of a continuing relationship with Saco Bay
Trails to help maintain the trails on Ocean Park property.

If you can help out on June 3rd, please contact the OPA office at (207) 934-9068 or opa@oceanpark.org.

PIPING PLOVER NEWS:

Plover Nest Watchers Sought!

The
Piping Plovers have set up a nest at the end of Temple Avenue, and you
have probably seen the exclosure which is designed to keep predators
out. At this writing, it seems possible that the adults may have
abandoned the nest, but it is also possible that they may set
up another one nearby. Volunteers are needed to help monitor the nest,
including spending some quality beach time to watch for predators and
answer question for beach goers. If you are interested, please email
Sue Schaller at HorseShoeCrabs@aol.com or leave a message at 929.5490.

Piping Plovers Return to Ocean Park

by Carol Holt

The
Piping Plovers have arrived early in Ocean Park, and a pair was seen
feeding at the end of Ancona Avenue at low tide during the week of
Easter. The Plovers are a welcome harbinger of spring for those who
look forward to their return to nest in the dunes and raise their
chicks for all to see. It was disappointing that none of last year's
chicks survived, and it is my hope that the Plover family will be more
successful this spring. These rare birds are at risk of extinction due
to loss of safe habitat. They are vulnerable to roaming cats and other
predators, in spite of the fencing placed around the nests. By
mid-June, the Plover chicks will be well grown and soon able to fly.

Last
year I quite enjoyed watching the changing of the guard as the Plover
parents took turns sitting on the nest while one mate was feeding along
the shoreline, and look forward to the same enjoyment this year. After
hatching, the chicks will follow their mother down to the water to
graze in the mud under her watchful eye. Although the chicks are hard
to see (they are the same color as the sand,) you will know they are
near when you hear the mother issue a sharp whistle as a warning, and
you hear little peeps responding to her voice. The sand will appear to
move suddenly and there they will be, little dust bunnies blowing
across the beach towards their anxious mother.

We
are so fortunate to have these annual visitors to our beach. I hope
that, through awareness and steady, conciencious efforts by Ocean
Parker visitors and residents, these visitors will return year after
year. In the years to come it is my hope that my great-grandchildren
will also be able to enjoy their visits.

Piping Plover Notes

by Mary Ann Conroy, Director, OOB Public Works

We
now have a pair of Piping Plovers beginning to nest in the beach area
between Temple Avenue and Randall Avenue. The DPW has completed
training with an Audubon biologist, and an informational presentation
on how to protect these birds was held in Jakeman Hall (Ocean Park) on
May 15.

Due
to the Plovers' presence, in in order to further secure their safety,
we have had to relocate those memorial benches that were on the beach
between Temple and Weymouth Avenues. We will replace these benches
once the birds leave the area in early July.

The
basic rule for the area around the Plovers' nest is that no motorized
vehicles are permitted in the area, unless it is an emergency
situation. In an emergency, Life Guards, Police, and the DPW are
available to walk ahead of any vehicles to check for birds. Last year,
we had one pair of nesting birds with three eggs hatched. Sadly, there
were no surviving chiks. We know we can do better this year with
everyone's help; so please keep your distance from the nest and help us
keep these endangered birds safe!

Saco Bay Boundary Bill

by Louise Reid, Asst. Town Manager, OOB

As
you know, the waters in front of our beach are the life-line of Old
Orchard. The following is a statement from our Council indicating
their support of LD1119, a bill proposed by Representative George
Hogan. The Town Council has asked those citzens who are in support
of this bill to consider signing a petition (available at the OOB Town
Hall,) which will be provided to the State Senate when this matter goes
before them. This petition came out of a meeting of the State and
Local Government Committee last week, with a vote of 12 to 1 in favor
of the Bill. Any assistance you might afford in getting signatures in
support of this Bill would be appreciated, however, it is up to every
Old Orchard resident to determine his or her support.

RE: LD1119 - Saco Bay/Old Orchard Beach Boundary

The
Old Orchard Beach Town Council hereby declares the following in support
of LD1119, a bill proposed to extend the Old Orchard Beach Boundary
three miles offshore:

In
response to the 2007 Spartan Bay lease approved by the City of Saco for
a marina 1000 feet off Old Orchard Beach, the Town of Old Orchard Beach
feels the need to protect its shores and the economic vitality of our
beach by extending our boundary.

This
boundary extensionn will allow the OOB Planning Board and OOB Town
Council, and not those of the City of Saco, to protect the beaches and
tourist economy of Old Orchard Beach, and to evaluate near-shore
development projects in conjunction with existing submerged lands and
other review processes.

Since
the existing LC 1119 text puts the new three-mile extension in the
middle of Stratton Island, the Town wants all parties to know that OOB
has no desire to have either Bluff or Stratton Islands to become part
of the Town of Old Orchard Beach. These islands should be kept under
the jurisdiction of Saco by amending the LD1119 text as necessary.

OOB
appreciates the request made y this Committee in asking us to work
together with our neighbors. We recently had a joint Council meeting
that resulted in two hours of frank discussion, which helped educate
citizens and elected officials alike on our points of agreement and
disagreement. OOB is willing to investigate the feasibility of a
four-town Saco Bay Commission that would have specific offshore zoning
and regulatory authority. This could take one to two years to research
and obtain agreement amoung all four neighboring towns, prior to the
necessary legislative creation by the Maine Legislature.

An
idea such as a Saco Bay Commission should not replace the boundary
change which OOB requires now to protect itself. LD1119 should be
voted up or down in this session without ties to a future and possible
Saco Bay Commission.

IMPORTANT: Old Orchard Beach Election News

by Kim McLaughlin, Town Clerk, OOB

Mary your calendars to attend the first Regional Budget Meeting of the RSU#23 District on Saturday, May 30, 2009. The meeting will begin at 2:00 pm at the Saco Middle School, 40 Buxton Road (Rte. 112,) Saco, Maine (click here
to get directions.) This is a meeting where all registered voters in
the district (Dayton, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach) may come together
and discuss the budget that the RSU Board has put together. This
budget will be presented cost center by cost center, and each may be
accepted or amended at this meeting. Contractual obligations may NOT be
changed. Every concerned citizen of the district should try to attend
this meeting. This is the first of two opportunities that the general
public will have to weigh in on the next fiscal year's school budget.

The
budget that is ratified at this meeting is the budget that voters will
be asked to validate (approve) in the June 9th "Budget Validation
Referendum." In Old Orchard Beach, the polling place for the June 9th
Election will be at the Old Orchard Beach High School. The polls will
be open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

The
Registrar of Voters' Office in OOB will be open at Town Hall during
Town Hall office hours prior to election for any eligible person to
register to vote, or for a registered voter to change his/her address.
The Registrar of Voters will also be available to register people to
vote on the day of the Regional Budget Meeting at the Saco Middle
School. If you need to register to vote on that day, please plan to
arrive at the school by 1:00 PM. As always, the Registrar of Voters will be present on Election Day from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the OOB High School.

Absentee
ballots will be available at, but cannot be returned to, the Town
Clerk's Office prior to the end of the Regional Budget Meeting on May
30th. Absentee ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on June 9th, 2009.
If you are a registered voter in OOB, and would like to request an
absentee ballot, please contact the Town Clerk's office at 934-4042.

Announcing the (first-ever) Ocean Park Social!

2009-03-16T12:27:00.002-04:00

Have you ever thought, "Wouldn’t it be nice to have an event where Ocean Parkers, old and new, could gather to share their Ocean Park story?" - or - "There needs to be someplace to go and socialize like we used to do at the Rec. Hall in the 60’s, (or 70’s, or 80’s)?" How about those of you who have breakfast, or lunch, at the Soda Fountain everyday and have said, "Who are all of these people walking by here? I hardly know any of them!"

Well your thoughts have been channeled and a solution has emerged! The Ocean Park Association is proud to announce the first-ever Ocean Park Social, where you can mix and mingle, network, re-unite, or meet other wonderful people for the first time!

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Mark your calendars for the evening of Thursday, July 2, 2009, from 6 to 8 pm, at the elegant Dunegrass Country Club, where you can nibble on hors d’oeuvres and chat with Ocean Park friends (and friends yet-to-be-made) for just $25 per person. A cash bar will be available. Reservations are now being taken for a maximum of 300 people; the deadline for ticket reservations and payment is June 15, 2009, but don’t wait until then! Please be sure to make your reservations early by calling 207-934-9068 x200. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. You may also pay by check - made payable to The Ocean Park Association and mailed to PO Box 7296, Ocean Park, ME 04063.

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What better way to kickoff the long 4^th of July weekend than to relax and enjoy some fabulous food and the company of old (and new) friends? Be sure to reserve your tickets before then; you know how Ocean Parkers love to talk and eat (or is it eat and talk?)

Christmas Greetings from Ocean Park

2008-12-24T11:43:00.002-05:00

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year!

- your Ocean Park Association Staff

A Blustry Day at the Beach...

2008-11-25T14:07:00.004-05:00

Anyone who decided to take a walk on the beach today was greeted by wind gusts up to 50 mph, sideways rain and sleet, and blowing surf and sand. Some residents reported lost house shingles and up to 6 inches of water on porches.

But it could be snow!

Mark Your Calendars!

2008-11-10T10:48:00.004-05:00

It’s time to

Deck the Park!

Join us at Jakeman Hall on Sunday, November 30^th at 1:00 pm.

All decorations will be provided.

Dress warmly and don’t forget your wire cutters!

The fun continues at 5:00 pm with the

Holiday Pot Luck Supper

Bring your favorite dish, catch up with friends and neighbors,

and warm yourself with the spirit of the holiday season!

Remembering Bill Edmunds

2008-10-28T09:38:00.002-04:00

As many of you may have heard, photographer and Ocean Parker Bill Edmunds passed away on October 8, 2008. His wonderful eye for images was evidenced by the fantastic Ocean Park calendars and the beautiful photos that graced the covers of the Ocean Park Program Booklet for many years. The Ocean Park Association would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Edmunds family, and we want to share with the community this wonderful article on Bill from the MetroWest Daily News:

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x547018767/Former-News-photographer-remembered-as-a-real-hot-shot

Loons Spotted in Saco Bay!

2008-10-08T10:00:00.005-04:00

This morning at around 8:30 am, while walking the beach, I spotted several Common Loons off of Goggins Rocks. I'm very excited as I've never seen loons this far south on the ocean (or even as far south as Sebago Lake!) If you're lucky enough to be walking the beach this fall on a nice clear morning, keep an eye out for the loons! (- Kelly)

2008 Harvest Supper tickets now on sale!

2008-09-16T10:35:00.012-04:00

Tickets for the Annual Harvest Supper (our unofficial way to close out the season) are now on sale in the OPA office. Come join your friends and neighbors as we bid a fond farewell to the 128th season with a Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings, courtesy of Lucky Loggers' Landing restaraunt, at the RA Dining Hall at Oceanwood. For ticket order form and information, please click here. You may also call the OPA office for tickets at (207) 934.9068 x200. See you there!

Farewell to Summer 2008

2008-09-12T14:47:00.005-04:00

Another season has come and gone, the Park is quiet and fall is right around the corner. Although many of our summer friends and family have returned to other parts of the country, things are still busy here in the OPA Office. Some things to look forward to:

The 2008 Harvest Supper will be held on Saturday, October 11, at 6 PM in the RA Dining Hall on the Oceanwood campus. Tickets are $15/each and are available by calling the office at 207.934.9068 x200.

The Late Summer Bell Tower is currently in production. Included in this issue are Highlights of the 128th season, reports on this year's Community Forum and Long Range Planning Forum, the annual Chautauqua Network Conference, and other important OPA matters.

The Annual Fund Holiday Appeal will be hitting mailboxes sometime in late November. Many Ocean Park friends and family have given over the year, and this end-of-the-year campaign is a crucial component in our overall fundraising.

And for those of you who are already marking next year's calendar, here are a few important dates for 2009:

Saturday, May 23 - Opening Supper, RA Dining Hall, Oceanwood

Sunday, June 21 - first Temple service and start of the 129th season

Saturday, July 4 - Independance Day Parade

Thursday, July 23 - July 26 - 2009 Chautauqua Network Annual Meeting

Saturday, August 1 - Illumination Night

Sunday, September 6 - final Temple service, 2009 Assembly Season Farewell

Ocean Park Talent Show Cancelled

2008-07-21T19:16:00.002-04:00

"Ocean Park's Got Talent" - scheduled for July 26th at 7:30 pm in Jordan Hall - has been cancelled for this season. Thanks to those who braved the auditions - we'll try again next year!

Come Visit the OOB Historical Society!

2008-07-16T16:41:00.003-04:00

Free Admission is offered to visitor's of the new Harmon House Museum on Portland Avenue in Old Orchard Beach (across from Town Hall.) Pick up your Free Admission pass in the OPA Visitor's Center today, and be sure to visit http://www.harmonmuseum.org for more information!

Ocean Park Conservation Society Supper Meeting

2008-06-12T10:57:00.000-04:00

Join the OP Conservation Society for an open-to-the-public supper meeting on Saturday, June 21 in Porter Hall at 6:30 PM. On the menu: tuna, turkey, and egg salad finger rolls, tossed salad, chowder, cocktail franks and beans, macaroni and cheese, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Admission will be charged: $10 for adults, $8 for adults 65 years and older, and no charge for children under 4 years. Following the dinner there will be an open public meeting beginning at 8:00 pm. For tickets, reservations, and more information, call 934-4009.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

2008-06-12T10:53:00.003-04:00

Volunteers needed to help "Clean Up the Park" this Saturday, June 14th, at 9 AM. Bring work gloves, rakes, or just yourself! Meet at Jakeman Hall, and begin with the Temple Garden and Pergola. From there, we'll move on to other points in the Park which need some TLC. Questions? Call the OPA office: 934-91068.

Welcome Summer!

2008-06-06T11:02:00.000-04:00

June is here, the flowers are out (and so are the mosquitoes!) On June 4th, Ocean Park and volunteers from the Biddeford Tech School conducted a successful clean up of Guild Park, and another Ocean Park cleanup day is scheduled for Saturday, June 14th, at 9 AM. If you're interested, please meet at Jakeman Hall, ready to do some outside work (work gloves are recommended.) Check back for more updates!

2008 Program Booklets

2008-05-05T10:21:00.000-04:00

The highly-anticipated, ever-popular 2008 Program Booklet and Business Directory is here! Booklets are currently available in the OPA office or, if you are not an OPA Member and would like to get a copy mailed to you, you can send your request, along with a $5 payment for postage and packaging, to:

Ocean Park Association
PO Box 7296, Ocean Park, ME 04063
attn: Program Booklet

or call: 207-934-9068

ATTENTION OPA MEMBERS

2008-04-24T10:22:00.001-04:00

Annual Meeting: July 12, 2008 @ 9:30 AM, Jordan Hall

Keep an eye on your mailbox! Packets with Committee reports and the proposed budget will arrive in June.

Temple Garden Pergola News Flash!

2008-04-24T10:19:00.001-04:00

THE FUNDS MATCH IS MET!

With heartfelt thanks to all of those who have contributed, we’re happy to announce that our goal of $6,000 for the rebuilding of the Temple Garden Pergola has been reached! These contributions are being matched by two anonymous donors for a total of $12,000, which covers work completed last year and enhancements to the labyrinth planned for this year.

SPRING CLEANUP DAY!

Many hands make quick work, and your hands can make quick work of cleaning winter debris out of the Temple Garden, perhaps even putting in some new shrubs! On Saturday, June 14, beginning at 9am, we’ll be hosting a (Late) Spring Clean-up of the Park. Can you lend a hand? If so, please contact the OPA Office at 207-934-9068 or opa@oceanpark.org to let us know.

Save the Date / Keep Your Eyes Peeled / L@@K!

2008-04-12T10:29:00.003-04:00

Now In Production: The 2008 Ocean Park Association Summer Program Booklet and Business Directory

The long-awaited, much-anticipated Summer Program Booklet and Business Directory is currently in production and should be in the mail to OPA Members by the beginning of May. If you’re not and OPA Member and would like to receive a copy by mail, please write:

Ocean Park Association Booklet Order
PO Box 7296
Ocean Park, ME 04063

or call Kelly at:
(207) 934-9068
In order to help defray the costs of mailing, please enclose $5 with your order (checks should be made payable to the Ocean Park Association.)

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Volunteers Needed!

Like flowers? Like to take walks? Keep that green thumb exercised this summer by volunteering to water the Ocean Park flowers during the season. Can you donate a morning? An evening? One day a week? Three? Five? If you’d like to help keep Ocean Park green this summer, call Dick Skillin at the Ocean Park Association Office: (207) 934-9068, or email him at rhskilin@oceanpark.org.

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Save the Date!

The Ocean Park Association Opening Supper is Saturday, May 24th at 6:00 pm in the Oceanwood RA Dining Hall. It’s been a long winter, so don’t miss this chance to reconnect with your Ocean Park friends and neighbors! Tickets are going on sale soon; be sure to check out the next edition of The Bell Tower for more information!

Ocean Park Cottages for Rent

2008-04-11T16:36:00.001-04:00

There are plenty of rentals still available in Ocean Park for the beginning and end of the season. So if you think you’re too late to reserve your spot, never fear!

Cheney Cottage is available: June 1 to June 28.

Hicks Cottage is available: June 21 to June 28, and August 23 to September 1 (Labor Day!)

Ricker Cottage is available: June 21 to June 28, August 16 to August 23, and August 23 to September 1 (Labor Day!)

If you’re still looking for rentals and making plans for the season, make sure to contact Maddie Paquette at Ocean Park Realty; she’s ready to assist you!

Temple Avenue Repaving has Started!

2008-04-11T16:33:00.000-04:00

The preliminary work on the long-awaited Temple Avenue repaving is now under way and completion is expected by June 15.

The Ocean Park section of Temple (from the railroad tracks to West Grand) is owned by the State and roadway work is funded by a combination of Federal, State and local money. There was not enough money to do the complete reconstruction of the road as needed, so there will only be a new layer of asphalt put on top of the existing pavement. This means that the road will need more work in 5-7 years. The shortage of funds is also limiting work on the sidewalks to an asphalt overlap at this time.

A much more complete job will be done on the remainder of Temple outside of Ocean Park (from the railroad to Saco Avenue) that is owned by Old Orchard Beach. Work to replace culverts and improve drainage in that section was completed last fall. The work that is starting now will replace all of the existing pavement and underlying gravel.

The repaving of Old Orchard Road from Saco Avenue to its beginning in Saco will also be accomplished by June 15. Connoisseurs of bad roads in the Ocean Park area generally agree that Old Orchard Road, with its frost heaves and generous selection of pot holes, is actually in worse shape than Temple Avenue, and may rank among the worst stretches of road anywhere in the State!

COUNCILORS TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH CITIZENS ON ISSUES OF MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL BUDGET

2008-04-09T13:15:00.003-04:00

Old Orchard Beach Councilors Sharri MacDonald and Robin Dayton are providing an opportunity for the citizens of Old Orchard Beach to meet with them in an open discussion on Wednesday, April 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Orchard Beach Town Hall Chambers to discuss the municipal and school budgets.

The economic picture for the State and the Town is difficult and the passing of an acceptable budget for the Fiscal Year 2009 will be a primary concern and consideration for the Town Council. Input from citizens is the intent of these Councilors during this opportunity for conversation. Other issues for discussion will be the possible bond for capital improvements of approximately $5.3 million to appear as a referendum item on the June 10th ballot.

Further information can be secured by contacting Councilor MacDonald at smacdonald@maine.rr.com, or Councilor Dayton at rdayton001@maine.rr.com.

Happy Easter to All!

2008-03-22T10:31:00.000-04:00

The OPA Staff would just like to wish all of our friends and neighbors a very happy Easter Season. The days are longer, the sun is stronger, spring has arrived!

A Spring Serenade

2008-03-21T15:39:00.003-04:00

The OPA Staff are treated to a serenade by members of the Downeasters. Catch their show Saturday, May 3, at the Yarmouth High School Auditorium.
For more information, call (207) 846.6841, or visit their website at www.downeasters.org.

Céad Míle Fáilte from Ocean Park!

2008-03-17T09:26:00.005-04:00

The days are getting longer and the congregation of robins on the library lawn gets bigger every day – spring is just around the corner! As we gear up for summer, your Ocean Park Association wants to keep you updated and informed on the upcoming season:

Membership Matters!

Your membership renewals for 2008 are coming in strong; over 250 members have renewed since January. If you haven’t had a chance to do so yet, please consider renewing now. We’ve also had a strong response to requests for updates to contact information including email addresses, and many people have indicated their willingness to get the Bell Tower electronically. Of course, those people who have told us that they wish to still get the Bell Tower by mail will continue to get a hard copy. Our mailing to non-members has generated a dozen requests for membership applications so far.

Help Wanted:

We currently have these positions open for the 2008 summer season:

Rec. Hall Director

Rec. Hall Assistant

Custodial/light maintenance position.

If you have ideas for people that might be interested, contact Ed Rea at 207-934-9068 or erea@oceanpark.org.

Host a Singer in your Home!

Ocean Park gave an enthusiastic welcome to the Boston based Saengerfest Men's Chorus when it appeared at the 2005 Music Festival and the chorus was thrilled with the acoustics in The Temple. Saengerfest is coming back this summer the weekend of July 26-27 and the choir members, where possible, would like to stay with Ocean Park residents. Home-stays are an enjoyable opportunity for choir members and their hosts to get to know each other (and to make Ocean Park converts!). If you live in Ocean Park and have a spare bedroom available for the nights of Saturday, July 26 and Sunday July 27 and would like to host a Saengerfest singer (and perhaps his spouse), please contact Kelly Brown or Ed Rea - 207-934-9068, kellybrown@oceanpark.org, erea@oceanpark.org.

...and finally...

For those of you celebrating St. Patrick's Day this month, here's a useful toast (provided by Kelly's grandmother, as Irish as Paddy's Pig. It's one of her favorites):

"May those that love us, love us.
"Those that don’t, may God turn their hearts.
"If He can’t turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles,
"So we’ll know them by their limping."

Sláinte!

OPA Community Update: Marina News

2008-03-06T16:48:00.005-05:00

There were only a handful of people in the audience at Tuesday night’s Old Orchard Beach Council meeting; OPA was represented by Phil Denison, Marc Guimont and I. The Council voted 5-0 to add amphibious vehicles to the definition of water toy in the ordinance but not to add the language to ban them. Council members argued that motorized vehicles are already banned from Town beaches, that amphibious vehicle use of the beach would require Council approval of a license, that the future use of “ducks” for sightseeing should not be foreclosed, and that the use of amphibious vehicles for construction and support of a marina could/should be considered when and if a marina proposal comes before the Council. It became clear before the vote that Chairman Long was the only Council member in favor of the outright ban.

Phil, Marc and I all spoke briefly in favor of the ban; we were the only speakers on the issue last night. Councilor Frenette, who is typically the most vocal of the Councilors, said that she had received many “well written” emails in favor of the ban, mostly from people she had never heard of – presumably Ocean Parkers: thank you Ocean Parkers!

Phil and I had the chance to introduce ourselves to the new Town Manager, Stephen Gunty, and I expect to meet with him in the coming weeks.

The Council action was upstaged by action at the State level on Monday:
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Saco Bay Development Moratorium Proposed
By Seth Harkness Portland Press Herald Staff Writer March 04, 2008 12:12 PM

A legislative committee is recommending an 18-month moratorium on development in Saco Bay. The Committee on State and Local Government made the recommendation yesterday after meeting to discuss a bill that would have given Old Orchard Beach control of the coastal waters up to three miles off the town's shore. The bill was introduced by Old Orchard Representative George Hogan in response to a lease agreement signed last year between the city of Saco and a developer proposing to build a large offshore marina. Historically, Saco has controlled the waters off Old Orchard. The moratorium would allow the four communities surrounding Saco Bay - Saco, Old Orchard, Biddeford and Scarborough - to come up with a plan that would allow for local input in managing the bay. The moratorium still requires approval from the Legislature.

………………………………………………………………………………………...

The moratorium proposal replaces Hogan’s bill to give OOB control over the Bay waters in front of the Town. It is our understanding that the bill will probably pass the legislature. In addition, the State Attorney General’s Office has ruled that the State owns and controls the Saco Bay waters. The net result of all of this is that it is highly unlikely that there will be further action on the marina proposal in the next 18 months and perhaps ever.

We will continue to keep you updated as events unfold.

Ed Rea
Executive Director
Ocean Park Association
"...more than a day at the beach"
207-934-9068

Saco Bay Moratorium and Management proposal

2008-03-03T12:45:00.008-05:00

There are now meetings today (Monday, 3/3/08) and tomorrow (Tuesday, 3/4/08) related to the Saco Bay marina proposal.

The attached (via web link, see below) proposals for a Saco Bay Management Plan and a short-term moratorium on development in Saco Bay will be on the agenda of the Saco City Council on today March 3), 7pm, at the Saco City Hall, 300 Main Street in Saco.

Don't forget Tuesday evening’s OOB Council session which will vote on the proposal to ban amphibious vehicles from Town beaches. In addition to this vote, the meeting will approve the hiring of Stephen Gunty as Town Manager. Gunty is now the Ellsworth Town Manager.

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please note: if you click on any of the following links, you'll have to use your browser's "back" button to return to this page!

TO VIEW the Management Plan and Moratorium, click here.
(Remember to scroll all the way down the page - it's a big one!)

TO VIEW the Town Council Meeting Agenda for Tuesday, March 4, 2008, click here.

TO VIEW an article related to this week's meetings, published online by keepMEcurrent.com, click here.

OOB Marina News - ACTION NEEDED!

2008-02-26T13:48:00.004-05:00

There was agreement at last Tuesday’s meeting of State and local officials at the Old Orchard Town Hall that the State owns the waters and submerged lands in the Saco Bay; left unresolved was whether Saco has any jurisdiction over the area starting 1,000 feet from Old Orchard’s beach. The attached article is a good summary of the situation at the end of last week.

Yesterday in Augusta there was a hearing before the Committee on State and Local Government on George Hogan’s bill to give jurisdiction over the disputed waters to Old Orchard Beach. Old Orchard and Scarborough representatives (including OOB Planning Board Chairman and OPA Vice President Win Winch) spoke in favor of the bill; Saco Mayor Michaud and City Solicitor Tim Murphy spoke against the bill. State Senator Barry Hobbins spoke neither for nor against the bill but said, “Saco pulled a fast one.” There will be a Committee work session on the bill next Monday at which there is expected to be a State Attorney General ruling which might resolve the jurisdiction question.

The proposed change to prohibit amphibious vehicles from using town beaches and waters will come up for a vote at the next OOB Council meeting on March 4 (7pm at the Town Hall). We need as many people as possible to attend the Council meeting and speak for the change. If you can’t attend the meeting, you can write or email Council members with your opinion on prohibiting amphibious vehicles from using town beaches and waters. Contact information for Council members is also below.

Thanks.

Ed Rea
Executive Director
Ocean Park Association
...more than a day at the beach
207-934-9068 x201

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Read the full article by clicking here:

http://www.keepmecurrent.com/Community/story.cfm?storyID=49818

Contact OOB Councilmembers here:

E. O'Neill, Vice Chair,
1 Oakcrest Drive, 934-5714 ext.226, soneill1@maine.rr.com

Sharri MacDonald, Councilor,
171 Portland Ave., 590-4201, smacdonald@maine.rr.com

James F. Long, Council Chair,
6 Long Cove Drive, 934-2238, jlong@maine.rr.com

Roxanne V. Frenette, Councilor,
102 Ross Road, 934-5083, rfrenett@maine.rr.com

Robin Dayton, Councilor,
59 Fern Ave, 807-1017 (cell), RDayton001@maine.rr.com

A Busy Week for the Marina Project...

2008-02-25T17:12:00.003-05:00

It has been a busy week for the Saco Bay marina proposal.

Tonight (Thursday, February 21) at 7pm in the Old Orchard Town Council chamber in Town Hall there will be a public meeting at which the Maine Attorney General's Office and the State Planning Office will explain that the lease option agreement between Saco and developer Bill Danton is invalid (see article below).

On Tuesday night the Old Orchard Beach Town Council voted unanimously to support State Representative George Hogan’s bill to extend Old Orchard Beach’s seaward boundary from 1000 feet off the beach to 3 miles.

The Council also took public comment on a proposed change to the Town Ordinances to explicitly prohibit the use of the town beach or adjacent waters by amphibious vehicles. This change is aimed at preventing shuttle vehicles from a marina from landing on town beaches. Only 4 people spoke. Bill Danton and his cousin George Kurr spoke against the change; OPA Treasurer Phil Denison and another citizen spoke for the change. The Council appeared to be split on the proposal.

The proposed change to prohibit amphibious vehicles from using town beaches and waters may come up for a vote at the next Council meeting on March 4. If so it will be good for people who favor the change and can attend the Council meeting to come and speak for the change. If you can’t attend the meeting, you can write or email Council members with your opinion on prohibiting amphibious vehicles from using town beaches and waters. Contact information for Council members is also below.

Ed Rea
Executive Director
Ocean Park Association
...more than a day at the beach
207-934-9068 x201
……………………………………………………………………………..

Portland Press-Herald, Thursday, February 21

Meeting today aims to clarify claims to waters off beach
State officials have called a meeting at 7 p.m. today to discuss a lease option signed by the city of Saco last fall for waters off Old Orchard Beach, officials said.

Old Orchard Beach Town Council Chairman Jim Long said the Maine Attorney General's Office and the State Planning Office requested the meeting to explain that the lease option agreement between Saco and developer Bill Danton is invalid.

Danton sought the lease from Saco for a proposed offshore marina because Saco retained title to waters off Old Orchard Beach when the two communities split 125 years ago.

The state also has a claim to the waters. By state law, Maine controls coastal waters out to three miles from shore.

The Saco City Council did not consult with Old Orchard town officials before making the decision. State Rep. George Hogan, D-Old Orchard Beach, recently introduced a bill that would give the town control of the coastal waters off its shore.

………………………………………………………………………………………
E. O'Neill, Vice Chair, 1 Oakcrest Drive
934-5714 ext.226 soneill1@maine.rr.com

Sharri MacDonald, 171 Portland Ave.
590-4201 smacdonald@maine.rr.com

James F. Long, Council Chair, 6 Long Cove Drive
934-2238 jlong@maine.rr.com

Roxanne V. Frenette, Councilor, 102 Ross Road
934-5083 rfrenett@maine.rr.com

Robin Dayton, Councilor, 59 Fern Ave.
807-1017 (cell) RDayton001@maine.rr.com

Looking for a Few Good Men (and Women!)

2008-02-11T11:36:00.000-05:00

...to volunteer for OPA mailings, etc. Our next big mailing to go out is the Ocean Park Association Membership letter. We'll need volunteers to help label, stuff and seal envelopes on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of next week (that's February 20, 21, and 22,) beginning at 9:00 AM. If you can make it one or all of those days for a few hours - we'd love to have you! Call the OPA office at: (207) 934.9068, or email opa@oceanpark.org / subject: Membership Mailing if you'd like to help out!

OOB Town Council Meeting - Follow-up

2008-02-06T10:41:00.000-05:00

Many thanks to those of you who were able to attend last night’s Old Orchard Beach Town Council Meeting. State Representative George Hogan presented his bill to extend OOB jurisdiction 3 miles out from the shore. The bill has been referred to the State and Local Government Committee of the state House. Hogan noted that State Senator Barry Hobbins opposes the bill, perhaps because his district includes Saco as well as Old Orchard. Hogan said that the bill would have no impact on Saco’s lease of water rights to Bill Danton’s Sparta Bay Marina corporation. All of the Town Councilors appear to support the bill and a resolution to that effect will probably be on the Council’s February 19th agenda. In the meantime, while Danton says that he is moving forward to obtain the many permits and approvals needed to construct a marina, we have no evidence that he has actually filed any applications; the Army Corps of Engineers, for example, has heard nothing from him.

The links below will take you to two articles regarding the Marina and the Council Meeting, published in the Saco Sun Chronicle.

> http://www.keepmecurrent.com/Community/story.cfm?storyID=48907
> http://www.keepmecurrent.com/Community/story.cfm?storyID=48903

OOB Town Council Meeting! Show your support - attend if you can!

2008-01-29T10:33:00.000-05:00

OOB State Representative George Hogan will be introducing a bill in this session of the State legislature to extend OOB’s seaward boundary from the current 1,000 feet from the shore to 3 miles. This area is currently under Saco’s jurisdiction. The bill is in response to Saco’s leasing of water rights for a proposed Marina development last Fall. George will make a presentation to the Old Orchard Beach Town Council and seek their support for his bill next Tuesday, February 5, at 7:00 pm in the Council chamber in the Town Hall.

If you are a resident of Old Orchard Beach or other interested Ocean Parker please consider attending this Council meeting. It is important that Ocean Parkers show their interest in OOB matters, particularly those affecting Ocean Park, at every possible opportunity.

Welcome to "Around the Park!"

2008-01-01T10:59:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Ocean Park Association online news and events stream. This is the place to go to stay on top of current events and other things happening in and around the Park. Got some news or information you think we should post? Send it to: opa@oceanpark.org, with the subject heading: "Around the Park".