SOLON & BEYOND: Solon budget committee begins process

by Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

The Solon Budget Committee meeting was held at the Municipal building on Saturday, January 20, with the following in attendance: Ann Padham, Bruce Hills, Frank Ridley, Barbara Johnstone, Eleanor Pooler, Carol White, Donald Kenerson, George Williams, Albert Starbird, Allen Foss, Joseph Albuit, Jeff Pomelow, Lois Miller and Gaye Erskin . Selectmen, Elaine Aloes, Mary Lou Ridley and Sarah Davis; Treasurer, Sharon Begin; Town Clerk/Tax Collector, Leslie Giroux, Road Commissioner, Mike Foster, Fire Chief, Duayne Rollins. Others there were Keith Galleger, who is running for the selectman position in March and Lief and I.

A meeting of the Coolidge Library Trustees meeting was held at the library on January 18 with the following in attendance: Librarian, Megan Myers, Richard Roberts, Mary Farrar, Jane Ouderkirk, Allen Foss, Lief Bull, and Diane Trussell.

Megan passed out copies of her report and answered questions. The School Bookmark Contest continues to be popular. The winning submission is chosen from each class (Pre K-5) at Solon Elementary School. Megan was this year’s judge, along with the district art teacher.

The annual Summer Reading Program ran June 29 – August 10. This year’s activities were assisted by a local teen volunteer. During the program, Build a Better World, she focused on books and activities that promoted science, engineering, arts and community awareness. There was a small but consistent attendance. Meals were again available to all children and teens from the school’s Summer Meals Program.

Was pleased to receive an e-mail from Ferra Kelley about the following information: Once again, volunteer members of AARP will be preparing & filing Federal/State tax returns, free of charge, to senior and low income families in the area. The Crossroads Bible Church, 705 White School House Rd. Madison have again generously allowed us to work out of their premises, and we are taking appointments for Friday & Saturday mornings, beginning in February. Please do not make calls to the church directly, as they are not otherwise involved in the program. Call Ferra @ 643-2559 to schedule an appointment.

I’m glad that several of you liked the article on manners in this column last week, and as promised I will send more of them when space allows….but, we must leave space for Percy’s memoirs:

“It’s the little things we do and say
That means so much as we go our way.
A kindly deed can lift a load
From weary shoulders on the road.
Or a gentle word, like summer rain.
May soothe some heart and banish pain.
What joy or sadness often springs
From just the simple little things.”

This is from one of those little Salesian Inspirational Books, that I have collected for many years.