Community response overwhelms the Bakos

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by Connie Bellet

Ann and Peter Bako have given their time, energy, and resources to people of the greater community all their lives. Their tragic house fire of January 5th turned their lives upside down and prompted an avalanche of aid, which is desperately needed, but the couple feels a simple “Thank you” is not enough to express the depth of their gratitude. Sometimes it is harder to receive than give.

Much of the fundraising effort was captained by Mary Haskell and Cheryl Parkman, who headed up a team, which included the Palermo Grange, to put on a very successful benefit dinner at Erskine Academy. There is a long list of business donors who contributed gift cards that were raffled, including four for $100.00. Several tables full of other raffle items, including a Traeger Smoker and many homemade items helped to raise a hefty sum, and 50 pies and desserts were auctioned off. The 50/50 sum was returned in full to the Bakos by the winner, who prefers anonymity.

Other fundraising efforts are in progress on social media, and the Palermo Community Foundation has established a secure and tax-exempt donation portal, with 100 percent of the monies received going directly to the Bakos. Checks may be mailed to: Palermo Community Foundation, P.O. Box 151, Palermo, ME 04354. On the “notes” line, please write Bako 23.

Ann and Peter thank each and every donor personally, and as soon as they get a refrigerator, will cover it with the names of each donor, so they never forget the kindness of family, friends, neighbors, community members, and people who happened to see the story in the papers or online. The Bakos have moved into a trailer, which they are renting until they can rebuild on their property in South China. Several contractors have offered their services, as have a number of volunteers. Ann and Peter have promised quite the celebration when the new home is completed, and Ann has said that everyone who helped is invited.

Palermo voters to consider mooring ordinance

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by Pamela McKenney

The subject of mooring and houseboating has become controversial in Maine. A minimal online search will reveal the conflicts between town and summer residents throughout Maine who recreate and live on Maine lakes, ponds, and streams versus those who moor or “colonize” a body of water without land ownership nor permits or permission. Some believe the lack of accountability leads to abuse and violations while others see it as a right since “you can’t own the water.”  In an attempt to deal with the issue, many municipalities in Maine have developed ordinances in the interest of safe navigation, the rights of shorefront property owners, and the health of inland water ecosystems. The Town of Palermo is considering adopting such an ordinance to limit and control the placement of moorings and houseboats on waters bordering and within the town. Voters and stakeholders have an opportunity to learn more prior at:

  • A Public Informational Meeting on February 16 at 5:00pm at the Palermo Library,
  • Town Meeting: Saturday March 11th at 9AM at the Palermo Consolidated School (discussion prior to vote at Town Meeting)

With few exceptions, the State of Maine does not regulate the placement of moorings nor the anchoring of houseboats within the Water Safety Zone of Maine lakes, great ponds and streams. This supports established Water Safety Zone regulations, defined as the first 200 feet from the high-water mark of any shore or ⅓ distance to the opposite shore, whichever is less. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Boating Facilities does regulate moorings beyond the Water Safety Zone and any marked channel or public boat launch that might impede free navigation. This means that placement of moorings and anchoring of houseboats inside the Water Safety Zone is left up to the discretion of individuals.

In regards to Palermo, without regulation, a person from any town or state; Augusta, Waterville, or Revere, Massachusetts, for example, could decide to moor a boat or a houseboat for the summer on Branch Pond, Sheepscot, or any other inland water. An individual could anchor a houseboat on Sheepscot for the summer or set up a mooring anywhere within the Water Safety Zone, and, currently, there is no method or means to restrict or limit the choice of location. Additionally, shorefront property owners might decide to moor their boat or swim float in front of a neighbor’s dock without permission. Or a boat leasing company with no shorefront ownership could set up a mooring platform for customer use. With access from a public boat launch, this is possible and without regulation – legal.

Municipalities have little to gain and much to lose if moorings and houseboats are abandoned or seep sewage or sink. Houseboating has become a particularly contentious issue. Perhaps due to the rising costs of shorefront ownership or maybe the tiny house trend, the popularity of staking claim to a mooring patch within the Water Safety Zone has increased. Many residents complain these property tax-exempt burdens are noisy, polluting, and a hindrance to fishing, navigation, and recreation.

Although the state does not regulate the placement of moorings and anchoring of houseboats, local municipalities in which a body of water lies can take action to develop standards to avoid leaving the health of public waters to the mercy of individuals who may have no stake in it. The Town of Palermo has taken the initiative to do so. As promoted by the Palermo Selectboard and as notified on the town website, a committee of stakeholders gathered last fall to examine other ordinances from other Maine towns (such as Belgrade, Harrison, Wayne, Casco, Rangeley…), to discuss the potential need for an ordinance, and to develop standards for mooring and anchoring on Palermo waters. These standards are designed to ensure that mooring installation, use, and maintenance as well as overnight anchoring does not:

  • impair the public’s health, safety and welfare;
  • result in degraded water quality, loss of aquatic habitat, or interference with navigation;
  • infringe on the rights of shore land property owners.

See the Town of Palermo website for the full article or read it in the Town Warrant, available at the town office.
Maine’s inland waters exist for all to access and enjoy. Beyond human use and enjoyment, these waters sustain ecosystems vital to the health and identity of our state. In consideration of the standards outlined, Palermo voters have an opportunity and responsibility to decide the importance of regulation in protecting Maine waters by exerting control over mooring and anchoring houseboats.

ALBION/PALERMO: HealthReach welcomes Melanie Morin

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Melanie Morin

This March, staff at Lovejoy Health Center and Sheepscot Valley Health Center will be welcoming Melanie Morin, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, to the team.

Melanie earned her master’s degree in psychiatric nursing from Husson University, of Bangor. Previously, she earned her Bach­elor’s de­gree in Nursing from the University of Maine at Fort Kent, and her Associate’s degree in Nursing from Kennebec Valley Community College. Melanie brings a wealth of experience in whole-person (holistic) patient care, and specifically in evidence-based treatments for mental illness.

Melanie shares, “My philosophy of care is to treat patients with respect and dignity – providing care for patients in the same way as I would want to be treated if I was in a similar situation. It is my belief that this way of caring for patients creates an environment of attention that is more conducive to healing. Focusing on the whole person means caring for their physical wellbeing as well as considering their emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Each of these aspects is integral to the whole person.” Melanie joins physicians Dean Chamberlain, Ann Schwink and Kathryn Wistar; physician assistants Nichole Johnston, Anna Simmler, Craig Urwin, and Zachary Wissman; nurse practitioner Keiko Kurita; licensed clinical social worker Deborah Daigle; and licensed clinical professional counselor Ashley Rancourt. Our clinicians offer medical and behavioral health services for patients of all ages.

Relief fund set up for Ann and Peter Bako

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Following the devastating house fire early the morning of January 5, the Palermo Community Foundation set up a special account to receive donations for Ann and Peter Bako. The Bakos were not at home when the fire started, so they lost everything, with no insurance. They were left with the clothes on their backs, their vehicles, their dog, and each other.

The Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 Charitable Foundation (EIN 01-0510937), is giving 100 percent of all donations to the Bakos, tax free for both donors and recipients. To help Ann and Peter, please send your tax-deductible check to: Palermo Community Foundation. P.O. Box 151, Palermo, ME 04354. on the “notes” line of your check, please write “Bako23.” All checks for $250 or more will receive a written receipt for your tax records.

There will also be a donation can set up at the Community Benefit Dinner which will take place at Erskine Academy, in South China, on Saturday, January 28, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with a snow date on Sunday, January 29th. It will be a spaghetti dinner with beverages, salads, and desserts. A pie and cheesecake auction will be held at 6 p.m. The dinner costs $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10. To donate pies, please contact Mary Haskell or Cheryl Parkman at cparkman@fairpoint.net. For additional information, please contact Connie Bellet at 993-2294.

Thank you for helping the Bakos, who have donated countless hours of community service helping others.

Gofundme organized by Jeanna Verney: https://www.gofundme.com/f/peter-and-ann-bako-weeks-mills-maine

CORRECTION: This article has been updated to reflect the dinner will be on Saturday, with a snow date of Sunday. See comment below.

FISHY PHOTO: Netting a good one

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Leighann Mazoki took this photo of her dad, Gary Mazoki, netting a bass on Sheepscot Lake, in Palermo. Leighann’s son, Manny, stayed with his grandparents for two weeks last summer. (photo courtesy of Leighann Mazoki)

Citrus orders deadline nears

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The deadline for ordering bright, tangy, and sweet citrus in time for Christmas is December 11. You can have it shipped anywhere in the lower 48 states for one low price. Just go to https://www.floridaindianrivergroves.com/ecommerce/1018996 and take a look at all the healthy goodness you can send!

Proceeds from this sale benefit the Living Communities Foundation, which hosts the Palermo Food Pantry, in the Palermo Community Center, as well as the Palermo Community Garden and the Great ThunderChicken Teaching Drum.

The Palermo Community Garden is also eligible for a Challenge Grant from SeedMoney.org. Last year they raised over $1,100 through this crowdfunding platform, and they hope to get somewhere near that this year, but they only have until December 15, so please share your resources with them so they can share fresh, organic food with neighbors! Please go to https://www.donate.seedmoney.org/7991/palermo-community-garden and know that your contribution helps to alleviate food insecurity right here in our area.

F.A. Peabody Insurance opens new central Maine branch

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Christopher Anderson, President of F.A. Peabody Insurance (FAPCO,) is announcing the opening of the agency’s 11th branch office in Palermo. Palermo is centrally located in the tri-city community of Belfast, Augusta and Waterville.

With the addition of the Palermo branch, Christine Huntress joins the F.A. Peabody staff as a seasoned insurance professional with over 35 years of experience. She moved from York to Palermo in 2018 and has shown herself to be a valuable asset in expanding insurance services to the Central Maine community. By joining FAPCO, Christine will be in a better position to also increase the commercial insurance offering to the community.

“Christine brings extensive expertise in property casualty insurance to the F. A. Peabody Insurance Division. Her professionalism and friendly business style compliments our agency’s culture,” states Anderson. Christine says, “I’m very excited to join the F. A. Peabody team. Each client is unique with different insurance needs and I welcome every challenge.”

The F.A. Peabody Company was founded in 1927 in Houlton, and over its rich 95-year history has launched additional branch offices in Madawaska, Caribou, Presque Isle, Mars Hill, Sherman, Lincoln, Calais, Hampden, Westbrook, and now, Palermo.

Christine can be reached at (207)993-5002 or christine.huntress@fapeabody.com.

Whitefield Lions announce poster contest winners (2022)

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From left to right, Madyson Glidden, of Whitefield, Avery Childs, of Palermo, Aurora Peabody, of Jefferson Village, Skyler McColet, of Chelsea , and Zoie Elliot, of Windsor. (contributed photo)

For over three decades, Lions clubs around the globe have been sponsoring a very special art contest in schools and youth groups. Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire the world through art and creativity. The Whitefield Lions Club has announced this year’s winners of their annual Peace Poster Contest. This year’s theme is “Lead with Compassion”. Area schools who participated were Jefferson, Whitefield, Palermo, Chelsea, and Windsor. Local community members participated in judging these fine works of art. The Whitefield Lions expresses appreciation to all the families and teachers who came to the spaghetti dinner and supported their students in the awards night held on October 27. These winners will go on to the state level competition.

LETTERS: Smith has strong commitment

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To the editor:

Thank you for including my letter in support of my wife, Katrina Smith, for State Representative for District #62. While this is not an unbiased letter I think you should know the level of commitment she has to the people of Maine from a personal perspective. Katrina’s heart is for the people. Growing up in Appleton with a single mom she experienced heartache and hardship at a young age that have formed her into the leader she is today. Her community rallied around her family in their time of need and she never has forgotten what it means to help your neighbor, without respect to party affiliation, just the way Maine has always been.

Katrina also holds steady to the belief that with enough work and constant study any obstacle can be overcome, this would serve the state incredibly well in our time of great inflation and need. Katrina is my partner in our successful renovation business that works so well largely due to Katrina’s commitment to a thorough understanding of problems and an incredible ability to think outside of the box to solve those problems. I know she will bring this ability to Augusta and will find ways to advance Maine in the direction it so desperately needs to go. Your faith in Katrina will not return empty.

Thank you.

Michael Smith,
Palermo

LETTERS: Swift will defend my families reproductive freedoms

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To the editor:

Please join me in voting for Pam Swift for Maine House District #62. As a multi-term, elected member of the Palermo Select Board, Pam has a public record of working cooperatively with others. As a former physician with two decades of experience, Pam will defend my family’s freedom of reproductive choice. Pam Swift is the only candidate with these two qualifications and is the best choice for District #62.

Robert Morrison
Palermo