Fairfield takes ownership of new truck

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by Mark Huard

In August 25, 2015, the Fairfield/Benton Emergency Services Department was awarded a federal grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Program through FEMA. The award amount for the department was a total of $725,000. The federal government portion of the grant would total $694,477. The town of Fairfield is required to match 5 percent of the grant and that came to a total of $34,523. The grant was written for the purchase of a Quint Style Ladder Truck.

Fairfield Fire

Fairfield Fire Chief Duane Bickford, left, and Firefighter Travis Leary.
Photo by Mark Huard/ Owner of Central Maine Photography

What is a Quint, you might ask? This is a multi-purpose apparatus that includes a pump, water tank, and also an aerial device. The truck was purchased from and built by Ferrara Fire Apparatus, of Hammond, Louisiana. The truck is a custom six man cab, on a Ferrara built chassis. It is equipped with a 2,000gpm pump, 400 gallon water tank, 77-foot steel ladder, an assortment of ground ladders, saws, and other hand tools.

This ladder truck will provide a great service to the towns of Fairfield and Benton that they have not had before. Also this makes the difficult task of firefighting a little safer and efficient for the department. This will allow the department faster and safer access to upper floors and roofs of buildings. The department responds to a vast area that includes several different occupancy types and sizes of buildings. The department covers around 84 square miles of territory, and responds to around 1,400 emergency calls for service a year. As chimney fire season is slowly creeping upon us this truck will be worth its weight in gold. As we all know trying to climb an aluminum ladder on a roof with two feet of ice and snow is not only difficult but extremely dangerous. This truck will allow the firefighters better access to the roof and possibly to stay off the roof all together. The department will be receiving three solid days of training from Ferrara in early September and also the members will be getting their time driving and pumping. Department policy requires all drivers to have 100 miles of driving on the apparatus, so don’t be surprised to see it driving on the roads.

As always, the department thanks the citizens of Fairfield and Benton in their continued support of the department and approving funding for advancing the department and service we provide.

Area students on Husson University’s presidents list

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The following area students have been named to the Spring 2016 presidents list at Husson University, in Bangor.

Lyndsay Weese, of Athens, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Shayne Brown, of Augusta,  is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a concentration in Marketing Communications program.

Sophia Ramirez, of Augusta, ME is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.

Tabitha Willman, of Augusta, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Health Care Management program.

Samuel Jandreau, of China, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Zoe Mather, of China, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Tyler Rollins, of China, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Undeclared program.
Courtney Smart, of Cornville, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Leah LaBree, of East Vassalboro, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a concentration in Journalism program.

Spencer Folsom, of Fairfield, is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Tennyson Martin, of Fairfield, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program.

Kyleigh Plourde, of Jefferson, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C) Certification program.

Alexis Prescott, of Liberty, is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

Makaela Michonski, of Norridgewock, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Amanda Saucier, of Norridgewock, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Darian Hughes, of Oakland, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology program.

Raina Rauch, of Palermo, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Kaitlyn Grover, of Skowhegan, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Cailee Manzer, of Skowhegan, is a freshman who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Ali York, of Skowhegan, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Management program.

Christina Belanger, of South China, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Meghan Farrell, of Vassalboro, is a junior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies program.

Destiny Silcott, of Windsor, is a senior who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Logan Vashon, of Winslow, is a sophomore who is enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Movement Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

University of New Hampshire announces graduates

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The following local students graduated from the University of New Hampshire, in Durham, New Hampshire, during the commencement ceremony.

Julie Arbour, of Augusta, earned a BS in nursing.

Maxwell Brown, of Waterville, earned a BA in Spanish.

Sydney Crogan, of Winslow, earned a BS in business administration: marketing.

Leah Caverly, of Clinton, earned a BS in sustainable  agriculture and food systems.

Maxwell Kenney, of Fairfield, earned a BSENVE in environmental engineering: municipal, Cum Laude.

Jacob Withee, of Norridgewock, earned an MS in zoology.

Kallie Buzzell, of Oakland, earned a BS in nutrition and wellness.

Local students on UNH honors list

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The following local students have been named to the honors list at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire:

Highest honors: Kelly McCormac, of South China, Michaela Hinckley-Gordon, of Benton, Kellie Bolduc and Luke Violette, both of Waterville, and Maxwell Kenney, of Fairfield.

High honors: Julie Arbour, of Augusta, Taylor Ferguson, of Sidney, Bayleigh Logan, of Augusta, Sarah Wildes, of Winslow, Samantha Mestieri, of Fairfield and Adam Bovie, of Vassalboro.

Honors: Myrilla Hartkopf, of Albion, Andrew Marden, of Bingham, and Kyle McLain, of Fairfield.

Sezak candidate for Somerset County Commissioner

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Robert Sezak of Fairfield has announced his  candidacy for Somerset County Commissioner for the District 1 towns of Fairfield and Norridgewock.

Robert Sezak

Robert Sezak

“I am running for county commissioner because  I believe a person working very hard can make a difference in finding solutions to the problems facing our towns and county,”  Sezak said in his announcement.

“The communities of Somerset County offer a diversity that is envied by many.  We have the best of hunting and fishing, large and small businesses, hospitals, educational facilities, and economic opportunity.  It is important that we can continue to enjoy the resources and vital services Somerset County has to offer without losing those qualities we have come to know and appreciate.  This will be more difficult with the closure of the Madison mill and the devaluation of the Skowhegan mill, making the shrinking tax base  the most important issue in Somerset County.  I will work to find means of increasing County revenue, outside of taxation, by attracting and expanding craft-industries and other businesses in Somerset County, ”  Sezak said.  “The county also needs to lower the costs of jail indebtedness through legislation in order to ensure that payment for the debt on the jail will come mainly from boarding out-of-county inmates, as was originally intended. “

“Our county government can play a greater role in alleviating the legislative and economic pressures imposed upon the people and municipalities of Somerset County. “

Robert Sezak, 63, currently chairs the Somerset County Budget Committee and the Fairfield Town Council, and has been a small business owner for over 22 years.

Winslow July 4 activities

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page1pict2 Left photo, Jocelyn Begin, of Fairfield sang At Last, by Etta James, to win the Winslow Family 4th of July Idol Competition in the 13 and over age group. She surprised an entire audience with her vocal power and accuracy at the young age of 13. She plans to compete on The Voice in a couple of years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Right photo, Members of the Winslow Junior High Music Band performed in the Winslow parade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Mark Huard, owner of Central Maine Photography