SCORES & OUTDOORS: The strange summer of 2019

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wooly bear caterpillar

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Has this been a crazy summer, or what?

The summer of 2019 may go down as one of the more mysterious of recent years. We had a bumper crop of black flies and mosquitoes, last week we covered the decline in the number of bats, the usual suspects appeared at our bird feeders – with a few exceptions, there has been a decline in the activities of red squirrels, chipmunks and gray squirrels, and even the garden isn’t cooperating.

Frequent and heavy rains through May and June, with a July and August that has been relatively dry. Just to show you how the beginning of summer shaped out, we actually ran the furnace, – and air conditioning – on the same day this year, ironically, July 4. That is a little bizarre.

At the bird feeders, we have had the annual appearance of black capped chickadees, gold finches, nuthatches, the occasional tufted titmouse, blue jays, crows and woodpeckers. Although they were slow to arrive. But no rose breasted grosbeaks, cardinals or Baltimore orioles earlier in the year.

We usually have two chipmunks scurrying around, where this year we have had only one. Apparently, it is safe to assume its partner met with some sort of tragedy. The red squirrels have not been seen and we have only observed one or two gray squirrels, where in most years it is a constant and never ending battle with them at the bird feeders.

Again, as mentioned last week, we have seen no bats.

The garden is doing OK, but some of the crops, which I have been growing for years with no difficulty, are looking like a bust this year. Broccoli has not flowered, and my cauliflower has produced only two florets. The green peppers are stunted, and have never really grown to any height, and bearing no fruit. The Brussel sprouts never got off the ground, and the squash are way behind where they should be this time of year. But, on the positive side, the string beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce are doing fine.

However, on the other hand, we have rag weed growing like gang busters in places where we have never had them before, the “junk” trees in my backyard have reached an all-time high, despite some cut back last spring, and the Virginia creeper vines have completely covered the wood pile and storage shed, and taken over the entire backyard along the fence. Where they came from is beyond me, but they have been proliferating abundantly over the last couple of years, again despite some major cutting in the fall.

cacadae

The only creature that seems to be on schedule is the cacadae, which came right on cue on July 26. As you know, that is the little bug that creates that loud buzzing sound on the hot summer days, which farmers for centuries have credited with predicting the first killing frost of the fall.

Folklore has it that the first crop killing frost will occur 90 days from the day you first hear the sound, following the next full moon, which this year will be November 12. I hope we don’t have an early winter like last year, because it is highly unlikely the first frost won’t come before that date.

Also, it is mid-August and we haven’t seen any hickory tussock caterpillars – the white fuzzy ones with the black stingers, no Monarch butterflies, but plenty of harvestman spiders – what we call daddy longlegs. They seem to have arrived a little early this year.

Here’s another, bees! We have seen only a handful of bumble bees, no yellow jackets or hornets.

Most of these are nature’s way of letting you know what kind of winter to expect. Where bee hives are built is usually an indication of the snowfall to expect. The higher the hives, the more snow to expect, according to folkore.

What remains to be seen is the wooly bear caterpillar. It’s still early for them. They usually appear in September. They are the little black and rust-colored hairy caterpillars that predict the severity of the winter. The longer the rust band on the body, the milder the winter, and vice versa. Last year, I can say I only saw a handful of those, where you normally see them everywhere, especially trying to cross a road. We’ll have to wait and see what happens with them.

We’ll sit back and see how September, and the beginning of fall shapes up. I wouldn’t mind seeing an Indian summer.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

In the NFL, how wide are the goal post uprights?

Answer can be found here.

Maine Nightjar monitoring lecture

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Nightjar

Join the Palermo Community Library in welcoming Logan Parker of the Maine Natural History Observatory (MNHO) for a lecture about Maine nightjar monitoring on Thursday, August 22nd at 7 p.m. Nightjars are medium sized nocturnal or twilight-active bird characterized by long wings, short legs and very short bills. Logan, a Palermo resident, is an assistant ecologist and founder of the Maine Nightjar Monitoring Project. This statewide citizen science project is collecting observations of whip-poor-wills, nighthawks, and other nocturnal birds, some of which are facing widespread declines.

Attendees will learn about the natural history of Maine’s nightjars and the efforts involved in monitoring these fascinating birds throughout the state, from Eliot to Calais, Kennebunk to Baxter State Park. The project is currently recruiting volunteers to adopt monitoring routes or simply make observations of nightjars in your own backyard.

The Palermo Community Library is located at 2789 Route 3 in Palermo, Maine and the lecture is free to the public. For questions or more information contact the library at (207) 993-6088​ or palermo@palermo.lib.me.us​.

Live auction and yard sale at St. Giles in Jefferson

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A canoe will be among auction items Aug. 24 at St. Giles, in Jefferson.

A canoe, a table saw, nail guns and other serious tools, three days at an Arrowsic cottage on the water, horseback riding lessons, bicycles, new infant/child gear and clothing, homemade jams and pickles, a basket of green cleaning supplies, QuickBooks help – these are among the offerings at the Saturday August 24, St. Giles Jefferson silent and live auction and yard sale.

Added attractions will include a homemade pie sale, with dozens of choices, with a focus on fruit pies. There will be burgers and hot dogs from Bill’s grill, a homemade children’s quilt, a boat trip on Belfast Bay, home-organization sessions with a professional organizer, an organic produce basket, a new under-seat rolling suitcase, an antique table and lamp, and many “treasures” at garage sale prices.

Hours of the event are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the church hall and under the pines in the church yard. The silent auction will end at noon and the live auction will begin at 12:30 p.m. St. Giles Episcopal Church is located at 72 Gardiner Road, in Jefferson, a quarter mile west of the junction of Gardiner Road (Route 126) and Bunker Hill Road (Route 213). Hope to see you there. For more information, call 549-7872, or 215-3420.

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS: Dealing with angry customers

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by Dan Beaulieu
Business consultant

Look, it’s going to happen. Someone once said that if you don’t make mistakes, you are not trying hard enough. So, yes sometimes you will make a mistake, you will screw something up that will make your customer upset and possibly even angry. And then there are sometimes that because of some misunderstanding the customer is angry with you and it’s not even your fault. And then there are those most challenging times when the customer is just angry, and he is unfairly taking it out on you. How do you handle that? How you handle these situations will define how truly outstanding your company is.

Here are a few rules for handling an angry customer that will work every time:

  • Stay calm, at all costs stay calm. Do not under any circumstances lose your cool. Remember cool heads always prevail. Do not fall to the temptation of talking back, or defending yourself, at least at this time.
  • Smile. No, not a stupid idiotic grin, but rather a friendly calming smile, that will demonstrate to your customer, that it’s okay, you come in peace and you want to gracefully solve the problem.
  • Use the customer’s name, and in most cases, this means using Mr. or Mrs. Or Miss. or Ms. Do not use their first name unless you have permission. There is something calming about hearing your own name said calmly and politely.
  • Listen carefully, very carefully to make sure you understand exactly what it is that the customer is unhappy about. Do not interrupt at this point. Let the person tell you in her own way, taking his own time what the problem is. Get the complete story from the customer.
  • Repeat what they told you. Once the customer has finished telling what the problem is, play it back to her in your own words. Pausing while relating to get her affirmation that you have a complete and clear understanding of what she is unhappy about.
  • Make sure that you now both agree as to what the issue is. Make sure you are both clear on this.
  • Ask the customer what he would like you to do about it? How can you fix this problem to her satisfaction?
  • Agree to fix it. If it is a reasonable request, even if you are not one hundred percent to blame, if you can possibly fix the problem and repair the relationship then, by all means do it. Agree to fix the problem if you can.
  • And if you are not one hundred percent on the wrong side of this issue. Still fix it. Not only fix it, but fix it to the customer’s satisfaction.
  • Make reparations. If you were truly at fault, or mostly at fault, then not only fix the problem but add something extra to make up for your mistake. This will go a long way towards strengthening your relationship with this customer.
  • Remember always, that the important thing is to retain the customer, the last thing you want to do is win the battle and lose the war. You want to retain the customer at all costs. It has been proven that unhappy customers love telling “horror stories” about bad service. In fact, statistics show that service horror stories are repeated so frequently that often over 250 people will hear them. Not a good thing. Especially if you are doing business in a small community.
  • On the other hand, happy customers love to brag about getting great service. It makes them feel so good and so smart for finding a great company that delivers super services and products that they will tell everyone they know about it… and if your smart you’ll make sure that the company they are bragging about is yours! That’s a great way to grow your business.

Mid-Maine Chamber gift checks

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Thanks to the generosity of Kennebec Savings Bank, Mid-Maine Chamber Gift Certificheck sponsor, it is able to now offer increased options when purchasing gift checks with the introduction of the $5 check. Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce Gift Checks now come in denominations of $5, $10, $25 and $50.

Mid-Maine Chamber Gift Checks are available for purchase at the Mid-Maine Chamber, M-F, 8A – 5P and can be used at approximately 180 area Mid-ME Chamber member businesses. Since its inception in 1997, Mid-ME Chamber has sold over $1.3 million in gift checks, thereby providing the sale to our member businesses, keeping the money in our local economy.

Obituaries for Thursday, August 15, 2019

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CAROL B. FERREIRA

UNITY – Carol Beaulieu Ferreira, 75, died at her home on Friday, July 26, 2019, following a long illness. She was born on Decem­ber16, 1943, in Waterville, the daughter of Edward and Edwina Beaulieu.

Carol grew up in Fairfield and was a graduate of Lawrence High School, class of 1961. She was always quite proud to be a Lawrence Bulldog. Upon graduation she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Ferreira on September 2, 1961.

Carol lived in Unity where she enjoyed being a homemaker and working at Unity Pharmacy for many years. She enjoyed spending summers at the lake and eventually lived year-round on the lake. She enjoyed knitting, she would knit beautiful mittens all year long and give them to the local school and church for area children. In her early years, she and Bob enjoyed camping, snowmobiling and going to the races. She also enjoyed going to Disney World every spring with her grandchildren. She was a member of Unity Union Methodist Church. In her later years she loved just being at home and would help her husband do paperwork for their business, Ferreira Trucking.

Carol was predeceased by her husband, Robert Ferreira on June 12, 2019; her parents, Edward and Edwina Beaulieu; her father and mother in-law, Henry and Edna Ferreira; her son-in-law, Michael Jones; and a very special aunt, Joann Miville.

She is survived by her daughter, Lori Ferreira Jones, of Unity; her son, Timothy Ferreira and wife Suzanne, of Unity; her grandchildren, Amy Jones Corson and husband Michael, and Adam Robert Jones and Nikki Abrahamson, and Hannah Ferreira and Nicholas Ferreira, all of Unity, Alissa Jones Keene and husband Kyle, of Belfast; her eight great-granddaughters, Kaylee, Allyee and Rylee Corson, of Unity, Mikala, Kristyn, Kelsey and Savanna Jones, of Unity, and Raegan Keene, of Belfast; her sister, Ann Beaulieu Maglaras and husband John, of Pittsfield; her niece, Megan Maglaras Stevenson and husband Bob and daughter Ashlynne Donovan, of Vassalboro.

A service for Carol will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2019, at Unity Union Church, on Depot Street, in Unity, at 1 p.m. Burial will immediately follow at Unity Pond Cemetery. The family would like to invite you to join them back at the church for refreshments.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you would consider a donation in Carol’s memory to the Unity United Methodist Women’s Group, Unity Union Church, 13 Depot St., Unity, ME 04988

CHARLES J. PARE

OAKLAND – Charles J. Pare, 81, of Oakland, formerly of Enfield, Connecticut, died on Sat­urday, July 27, 2019, at his home. He was born on June 28, 1938, in Hartford, Connecticut, the son of Alice (Sullivan) and Edward Pare.

He attended and graduated from Hartford schools before enlisting in the US Air Force.

He married the former Jeanette Malpas and together they would have three children. Charles worked at combustion engineering and then was a senior materials analyst with Pratt & Whitney where he retired. He was instrumental in opening the Senior Center, in Oakland, with Sherry Gilbert.

He is survived by his children: Mark Pare and his wife Joanne, of Arizona; his daughter Annette Ramsdell and her husband Andrew, of Connecticut; his daughter Michelle Leary, of Arizona; his grandchildren, Kristen Pare, David Ramsdell, Brett Pare, Taryn Ramsdell, Brenden Leary, Courtney (Pare) Hollman, Keegan Leary, MacKenzie Ramsdell; his great-grandchildren, Luca, Finley, Zoe, Kali, Luna, Finn, Ava and Kayden; his brother James Pare, of Connecticut, and his sister Pauline Collins, of Florida.

He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years; his great-grandson Kaydence Charles Ramsdell; his brother Raymond and his sister Mary.

For those who wish, donations may be made in Charles’ memory to: American Cancer Societ, NE Division, Inc., 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086.

EREK C. LINDBERG

VASSALBORO – Erek Charles Lindberg, 76, passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, following several months of illness. He was the youngest of four children. He was born December 5, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts, and at the age of 10 moved to Waterville upon meeting Leslie and Berle Ward, who took him into their home and raised him. He graduated from Erskine Academy, in South China, in 1960. His fondest childhood memories were living with “Gramp” and Berle on the small farm in Vassalboro.

Erek was a pipefitter by trade. While working at Statler Tissue, in Augusta, in 1977, he received massive back trauma which ended his career. Following numerous surgeries and years of “rehabilitation,” (a.k.a. “Freddie’s Garage”) he was back on his feet. With his two best friends of 50 years by his side, Bill (William) Pullen and Jessie Ackers, of Vassalboro, Erek enjoyed building and riding dune buggies on weekends with their wives by their side, (He may not have liked much but he did like that). He also enjoyed riding his Harley with his wife in tow and the wind blowing through his nonexistent hair. He and Helen visited many states with their Hog friends.

Erek was predeceased by his daughter, Janice (Jan Jan S—Poke) Pelotte, of Vassalboro, his “favorite sister-in-law” Linda MacKenzie, also of Vassalboro, and his brother, Charles, of Florida.

He leaves behind his wife, Helen of 36 years; granddaughters, Courtney and Rebecca Pelotte; a stepson, Rob Starratt and a stepdaughter, Carrie Starratt; also six grandchildren and four great-granddaughters; his two sisters, Barbara Shadrick and Ginger Dellasandro, both of North Carolina.

There will be a graveside service on Saturday, August 24, at 11 a.m., at Village Cemetery, on Cemetery Street, in Vassalboro. A gathering will follow at the United Methodist Church, Rte. 32, in Vassalboro.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Redington Funeral Home. Please visit www.redingtonfuneralhome.com to share your memories and condolences with Erek’s family.

ANGELA A. PHILBRICK

SOMERVILLE – Angela Ann Philbrick, 36, of Frye Road, died unexpectedly on Thursday, August 1, 2019, at Lincoln Health Miles Campus, Damariscotta. She was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on January 12, 1983, the daughter of Harry E. Philbrick, Sr. and Patricia Ann (Vaillancourt) Philbrick.

Angela was a graduate of Erskine Academy, of China, and she received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Augusta.

She was a loving mother to her three daughters and an aunt to her niece and nephew and the many children whom she gave encouragement and inspiration to in life. She gave whatever she could to them to help them to see and do things they may have not gotten the opportunity to do.

She was a strong person who had overcome many obstacles in her life. She fought through and persevered through all of them even though at times it seemed impossible to her.

The greatest joy in her life was her three beautiful daughters whom she absolutely lived for. They were her whole life and her passion. There was nothing that she would not have done for them.

She was a loving and caring wife to her husband and showed him that, sometimes even in the darkest moments, there is always hope for better times.

Angela was employed by Hussey’s General Store, in Windsor. She worked in the grocery department, pumped gas and helped do grain. She had many customers that would look just for her to help them. She also trained many of the new employees.

Surviving is her husband, Timothy M. Dostie, of Somerville; her parents, of Waldoboro; three daughters: Bianca Ann Dostie, Ashlyn Kayson Dostie and Samantha Rose Dostie, all of Somerville; and one brother, Harry E. Philbrick Jr., of Warren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to: The Angela Memorial Fund, c/o KV Federal Credit Union, 316 West River Rd., Augusta, ME, 04330. Donations go to the benefit of her children.

Arrangements are under the care of Plummer Funeral Home, Windsor Chapel, 983 Ridge Road, Rte. 32, Windsor, ME.

Condolences, photos and stories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

RICHARD H. GRAY SR

WINDSOR – Richard H. Gray, Sr., 85, died Thursday, August 8, 2019, at the VA Maine Health Center at Togus following a brief illness. He was born in Vassalboro on May 10, 1934, a son of the late William W. and Sara (Hunter) Gray.

Mr. Gray was a graduate of Gates Business College and had been employed by Central Maine Power for over 24 years.

He was a Whitefield Lions Club member, coached Windsor Little League, and extremely proud of his Eagle Scouts he helped as Scoutmaster for Troop #609.

Mr. Gray was pre-deceased by a brother, Phillip Gray.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Laura M. (Fowle) Gray, of Windsor; two sons, Richard H. Gray, Jr. and his wife, of Windsor, and Timothy S. Gray and his wife, of China; a brother, William Gray, of China; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Condolences, photos and stories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

DANNY W. DANFORTH

SIDNEY – Danny Wallace Danforth, 61, died peacefully at his home on Friday, August 2, 2019. Danny was born in Leominster, Massachu­setts, on September 22, 1957, the son of Cecil M. and June F. (Slattery) Danforth.

He graduated from Monmouth Academy in 1975.

Danny worked for Digital Equipment Corporation, in Augusta, before starting his longterm career in postal operations. He worked for the USPS, for the Department of Defense as a contractor in Balad, Iraq, and was currently employed as a supervisor of mail operations with the state of Maine.

Danny (a.k.a Boone) enjoyed hunting in Maine and Texas with his buddies, Trailboss, Blindman, Bushwhacker, Shooter, Slayer, Kdawg, Cockroach, Blackfly, P, and Annie. He would not want anyone to forget about his prize Texas whitetail and all of his hunting and fishing adventures.

He was also an avid baseball fan, from coaching Little League in Mt. Vernon to cheering on his son when the Maranacook Black Bears won the state championship. He cherished his trips to Disneyworld with the family and in later years with Robin. Of course, we can’t forget to mention his love for the Dallas Cowboys.

He was predeceased by his parents; and father-in-law, Robert L. Boynton.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Robin; mother-in-law, Shirley Boynton, of Oakland; son Matthew and wife, Sarah, and granddaughters, Claire and Charlotte, of Elm Grove, Wisconsin; and son Patrick and fiancée, Shana, of Dickinson, Texas; brothers, Bret and partner, Ann, of Athens, and Kent and wife Audrey, of Willis, Texas; and sister Audrey, of Westbrook; brother-in-law Barney and wife Theresa Boynton, of Gray; and sister-in-law Ronda Karter, of Augusta,; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins

At Danny’s request, there will be no memorial service and his ashes, which are being stored, also at his request, in a Folger’s Coffee can, will be scattered on a future date.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements are by Wheeler Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 26 Church St., Oakland.

Danny strongly believed that “no child should go hungry in our community, our state or our country!” He has requested that donations be made to the Mt. Vernon Elementary School’s Backpack/Lunch Program, 1507 North Road, Mount Vernon, ME 04352, or the James H. Bean School’s Backpack/Lunch Program, c/o Erica St. Peter, 896 Middle Road, Sidney, ME 04330.

Author and registered Maine Guide to speak at the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library

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Albert Church Brown Memorial Library in China Village.

Earl Brechlin, author and Registered Maine Guide, will speak about his life and works at the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library on Sunday, August 25, at 2 p.m. He plans to read from his newest book, Return to Moose River: In Search of the Spirit of the Great North Woods, a collection of essays describing outdoor adventures – white-water canoeing, snowmobiling, backpacking – in many parts of Maine. Return to Moose River won the 2019 John Cole Award for Maine-themed non-fiction.

Earl Brechlin

Brechlin’s presentation includes a slideshow about great figures in Maine’s outdoor heritage. He says that Maine’s land and water conservation programs have been successful, but, “We haven’t done as well preserving the human history and legends that populate these places. Whether it’s the native Americans, early settlers, explorers, loggers or others, you can’t separate the people from the land or the land from the people and we need to do more to celebrate that.”

He will also have books for sale, autographed on request.

The Albert Church Brown Memorial Library is located at 37 Main Street in China Village. The program is open to all at no charge; refreshments will be served.

More information on the guest speaker is available at the “Return to Moose River” Facebook page or www.earlbrechlin.com.

 

 

New Dimension Cruisin’ For A Cure car show raises money for Children’s Miracle Network

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One of the many cars on display during the 6th annual New Dimension Credit Union’s Cruisin’ for a Cure car show, to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. (contributed photo)

The 6th annual Cruisin’ For a Cure Car Show, sponsored by the New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, has announced that this year’s event raised $11,741.55 for the cancer program. With an additional $5,000 award from the Children’s Miracle Network, the new total raised is $16,741.55.

Each year the proceeds from the car show benefit the Maine Children’s Cancer Program (MCCP), an affiliate of The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center, and is located in Scarborough. The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals the matched the award.

This year’s event was the biggest event yet with a record-breaking 160 participants who entered their cars into one of the 24 car classes offered. DJ Mike Davis played music from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, the Flamingo Café food table sported lengthy lines all day, and the trophies were accepted with giant smiles and pride one-by-one.

Thank you has been extended to the participants, businesses, and community for their continued support of the Cruisin’ For A Cure Car Show. Additionally, they are thankful to car enthusiasts who proudly showcase their beautiful cars each year.

CHINA: Planners discuss possible ordinance amendments

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by Mary Grow

China Planning Board members continued discussion of possible ordinance amendments at their Aug. 6 meeting, focusing on one word in one of the 15 conditional use criteria. Conditional use criteria are the requirements for a new, changed or significantly expanded commercial use.

The criterion reviewed Aug. 6 requires the applicant to show that the proposed use or change “will not have a significant detrimental effect on the use and peaceful enjoyment of abutting property as a result of noise, vibrations, fumes, odor, dust, glare or other cause.” Board members talked about noise.

They agreed with Codes Officer Bill Butler that a baseline noise study is needed before he or the board can determine whether additional noise will be loud enough to violate the criterion. A study would need to be specific to the area of the proposed project, since, for example, residents along main roads are accustomed to more noise than residents on back roads. Noise regulation would probably require zoning, Butler suggested. In the past most China voters have opposed zoning.

Even a background study could get complicated. Board members mentioned as examples the different effects of high-pitched and low-pitched sound, and the effect of atmospheric conditions on how far sound carries.

There was no consensus on other aspects of noise regulation.

One disagreement was over whether the noise standard applies only to commercial development or to everyone in town, for example, someone who runs car races on his land. Ralph Howe argued that the standard would apply to everyone, and he opposed strict regulations on the ground that people can do what they want on their own property.

Jim Wilkens believes “You can’t do totally what you want with your property.” A resident’s peaceful enjoyment right must be balanced against a neighbor’s right to make loud noises. When Butler cited a Rockland ordinance that exempts recreational activities from noise limits, Wilkens considered it unfair unless, he suggested, the town wants to abate the taxes of the resident deprived of peaceful enjoyment.

Howe called an ordinance applying to private uses “restrictive to people’s freedom.” Wilkens countered by citing the “freedom from being harassed” by noisy neighbors.

Butler said a conditional use standard would not necessarily have to apply to private, non-commercial activities. Board Chairman Tom Miragliuolo doubted exempting noisy private activities would be popular. Butler suggested a nuisance ordinance might be an alternative way to deal with private activities that led neighbors to complain about noise or other impediments to their peaceful enjoyment.

Another issue touched on, with no consensus, was exceptions and exemptions to a noise ordinance. Butler said multiple exemptions are standard, for example for farming and commercial activities. Having stricter noise limits overnight than during the day is another common ordinance feature.

Miragliuolo asked Butler to find sample ordinances from other Maine towns to guide future discussion.

The planning board is trying to make ordinance criteria easier to apply in response to a request from the Comprehensive Planning Committee (see The Town Line, Aug. 1).

In other business Aug. 6, Butler reported in the previous two weeks, he issued eight building permits, including two for new homes, and did 12 Maine Universal Building and Energy Code (MUBEC) inspections of construction under way, a pace he called “pretty aggressive.”

He suggested other ordinance changes the planning board should consider to bring the town ordinance into conformity with state shoreland zoning standards. Should town officials and voters not act, the state Department of Environmental Protection will, though probably not immediately, he said.

Butler expects Clifford Glinko to present a revised application for a medical marijuana store on Route 3 in South China at the next planning board meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27.