Committee forwards recommendation on USM-area roundabouts to council
Written by Craig Lyons
A City Council committee on Wednesday endorsed a plan that would add two roundabouts near the intersection of Brighton Avenue, Deering Avenue and Falmouth Street to help ease traffic congestion through the area.
The Transportation Sustainability and Energy Committee endorsed adding a roundabout at the five-leg intersection and another at the junction of Deering and Bedford streets. The project proposal will now head to the full council for review and preliminary planning before the intersection improvements will begin.
Councilor Cheryl Leeman asked that in its recommendation to the council, the committee include the caveat that any plans minimize the taking of private property to install the roundabout. The committee agreed with her request.
Bruce Hyman, the project manager, said it's tough to tell how much property will need to be taken since the roundabouts are still in the conceptual phase.
A memo to the committee says the design concept will discontinue a portion of Brighton Avenue from Falmouth Street to Bedford Street; reduce peak-hour congestion and reduce traffic diversion into the neighborhoods; and increase intersection safety for all users.
Hyman said the roundabout proposal was the preferred option by the public safety departments, advocates for the visually impaired and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee.
The roundabout proposal is estimated to cost $1.5 million, but it will likely take several years before the project gets started.
The roundabout option was the preferred method to deal with traffic congestion in the area, and was picked for further review over adding traffic signals or simply making no improvements.
•••
Later in the meeting, the committee voted to adjust the tow rates set by the city for private haulers. The city uses tow operators for emergency tows during emergencies, accidents, parking bans and city service days, according to a memo.
The recommended rate increase would increase the day/night two from $70 to $84; the dual rear wheel tow from $90 to $105; the snow tow from $70 to $85; the accident tow from $75 to $97; and the re-tow from $25 to $85. Staff recommended increasing the hook-up/drop-fee to increase to $40 from $25, but the committee asked that it stay at the lower amount.
The city has not adjusted the tow rates since 2008.
The Transportation Sustainability and Energy Committee endorsed adding a roundabout at the five-leg intersection and another at the junction of Deering and Bedford streets. The project proposal will now head to the full council for review and preliminary planning before the intersection improvements will begin.
Councilor Cheryl Leeman asked that in its recommendation to the council, the committee include the caveat that any plans minimize the taking of private property to install the roundabout. The committee agreed with her request.
Bruce Hyman, the project manager, said it's tough to tell how much property will need to be taken since the roundabouts are still in the conceptual phase.
A memo to the committee says the design concept will discontinue a portion of Brighton Avenue from Falmouth Street to Bedford Street; reduce peak-hour congestion and reduce traffic diversion into the neighborhoods; and increase intersection safety for all users.
Hyman said the roundabout proposal was the preferred option by the public safety departments, advocates for the visually impaired and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee.
The roundabout proposal is estimated to cost $1.5 million, but it will likely take several years before the project gets started.
The roundabout option was the preferred method to deal with traffic congestion in the area, and was picked for further review over adding traffic signals or simply making no improvements.
•••
Later in the meeting, the committee voted to adjust the tow rates set by the city for private haulers. The city uses tow operators for emergency tows during emergencies, accidents, parking bans and city service days, according to a memo.
The recommended rate increase would increase the day/night two from $70 to $84; the dual rear wheel tow from $90 to $105; the snow tow from $70 to $85; the accident tow from $75 to $97; and the re-tow from $25 to $85. Staff recommended increasing the hook-up/drop-fee to increase to $40 from $25, but the committee asked that it stay at the lower amount.
The city has not adjusted the tow rates since 2008.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 23:49
Hits: 99
Contractor tackles Fort Williams Park upgrades
Written by David Carkhuff
CAPE ELIZABETH — Three infrastructure projects in Fort Williams Park, all being completed by Peters Construction, Inc. from Buxton at a low bid cost of $145,000, are expected to be completed by the third week in June, town officials reported.
Currently, the main entry road to the popular park, home to Portland Head Light, is restricted to one lane of traffic with flaggers due to the projects, part of a 2011 master plan.
Peters Construction, Inc. made a request to start the project earlier than April 1, a change which was approved, so work began in mid-March, allowing an earlier completion date. Access to the park will not be compromised during the ongoing project, but access to the Ship Cove parking lot may be restricted at times, Cape Elizabeth Director of Public Works Robert C. Malley reported at the time the project started.
All three projects are being completely funded by revenues generated in the park, Malley reported in a town press release.
The first project will create a cul-de-sac at the north end of the Ship Cove parking lot.; the second will improve Ship Cove through a picnic area slab rehabilitation; and the third will create pedestrian improvements where the Ship Cove parking lot meets the park entrance road.
For details on the work, visit http://www.capeelizabeth.com/news/2013/fw_masterplan_implement.html.
Currently, the main entry road to the popular park, home to Portland Head Light, is restricted to one lane of traffic with flaggers due to the projects, part of a 2011 master plan.
Peters Construction, Inc. made a request to start the project earlier than April 1, a change which was approved, so work began in mid-March, allowing an earlier completion date. Access to the park will not be compromised during the ongoing project, but access to the Ship Cove parking lot may be restricted at times, Cape Elizabeth Director of Public Works Robert C. Malley reported at the time the project started.
All three projects are being completely funded by revenues generated in the park, Malley reported in a town press release.
The first project will create a cul-de-sac at the north end of the Ship Cove parking lot.; the second will improve Ship Cove through a picnic area slab rehabilitation; and the third will create pedestrian improvements where the Ship Cove parking lot meets the park entrance road.
For details on the work, visit http://www.capeelizabeth.com/news/2013/fw_masterplan_implement.html.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 23:41
Hits: 88
Bluestocking Film Series features female characters, directors
Written by Timothy Gillis
Does your favorite film pass the Bechdel Test? To check, ask yourself these three basic questions about it:
1) Does the film have two or more women characters (with names)?
2) Do they talk to each other? and
3) Do they talk to each other about something other than a man?
Named after the American cartoonist Alison Bechdel, whose most famous work is "Dykes to Watch Out For," the test is not a measure of how good a film is — just whether or not there is a female presence in it.
To counter that dearth of women characters of substance, the Bluestocking Film Series is showing nine short films with "reel life women" at Osher Hall at the Maine College of Art, Saturday, May 18, at 7 p.m. On Sunday, May 19, at 4 p.m. Andi Zeisler, co-founder of Bitch magazine, will chair a Bechdel Test symposium.
The Bluestocking Film Series — Films by Women — is a biannual screening event showcasing women directors and narrative films that pass the Bechdel Test. Gitgo Productions, a do-it-yourself production company owned by Kate Kaminski and partner Betsy Carson, is presenting the films.
All submissions must pass the Bechdel Test, and the nine selected shorts run an emotional range from saying a simple sorry to dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one.
Kaminski likes the Bechdel barometer as a natural starting point for a film series.
"It's a test for the actual presence of women in film," she said. "It doesn't guarantee anything beyond that. A film will come out like "The Hunger Games" and people will say it's got a strong female character. We want to see films that show women to be as flawed and complex as their male counterparts, not just beating a man in a race. That's not how we want to define a strong female character."
Since 2011, at its inaugural screening, Bluestocking has been showing strong females in selected films, and they have also taken the event on the road, to Lowell, Mass. "It was well received, so it's something we may do in the future," said Kaminski, who has lived in Portland since the early 1980's, and has been a director here for more than 20 years.
"When I first started out making films here, you could count filmmakers on one, two hands," she said. "Now you can't throw a rock without hitting a filmmaker. I don't think it's particularly gender equitable, but, of course I know and respect and like many of the filmmakers here. Portland just reflects overall the lack of gender equity."
Portland has a lot of film lovers in this town, she said, "and that's great because we have a lot to give them. It would be great if Maine became a place where cinephiles came to see films."
Bluestocking is grassroots, a very small organization, she added, so they try to go outside to bring back to Maine some great films.
"We really want to engage the community and talk about ideas like the Bechdel Test. How do you apply it? What are the implications? That's our main focus - to create an awareness and talk about it. To have a film with a main character who's a woman – how's that look?"
Screening, Saturday, May 18, at 7 p.m.
Symposium, Sunday, May 19, at 4 p.m.
Both at Osher Hall at MECA, 522 Congress Street
The films are $9 general and $6 student; the symposium is free.
1) Does the film have two or more women characters (with names)?
2) Do they talk to each other? and
3) Do they talk to each other about something other than a man?
Named after the American cartoonist Alison Bechdel, whose most famous work is "Dykes to Watch Out For," the test is not a measure of how good a film is — just whether or not there is a female presence in it.
To counter that dearth of women characters of substance, the Bluestocking Film Series is showing nine short films with "reel life women" at Osher Hall at the Maine College of Art, Saturday, May 18, at 7 p.m. On Sunday, May 19, at 4 p.m. Andi Zeisler, co-founder of Bitch magazine, will chair a Bechdel Test symposium.
The Bluestocking Film Series — Films by Women — is a biannual screening event showcasing women directors and narrative films that pass the Bechdel Test. Gitgo Productions, a do-it-yourself production company owned by Kate Kaminski and partner Betsy Carson, is presenting the films.
All submissions must pass the Bechdel Test, and the nine selected shorts run an emotional range from saying a simple sorry to dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one.
Kaminski likes the Bechdel barometer as a natural starting point for a film series.
"It's a test for the actual presence of women in film," she said. "It doesn't guarantee anything beyond that. A film will come out like "The Hunger Games" and people will say it's got a strong female character. We want to see films that show women to be as flawed and complex as their male counterparts, not just beating a man in a race. That's not how we want to define a strong female character."
Since 2011, at its inaugural screening, Bluestocking has been showing strong females in selected films, and they have also taken the event on the road, to Lowell, Mass. "It was well received, so it's something we may do in the future," said Kaminski, who has lived in Portland since the early 1980's, and has been a director here for more than 20 years.
"When I first started out making films here, you could count filmmakers on one, two hands," she said. "Now you can't throw a rock without hitting a filmmaker. I don't think it's particularly gender equitable, but, of course I know and respect and like many of the filmmakers here. Portland just reflects overall the lack of gender equity."
Portland has a lot of film lovers in this town, she said, "and that's great because we have a lot to give them. It would be great if Maine became a place where cinephiles came to see films."
Bluestocking is grassroots, a very small organization, she added, so they try to go outside to bring back to Maine some great films.
"We really want to engage the community and talk about ideas like the Bechdel Test. How do you apply it? What are the implications? That's our main focus - to create an awareness and talk about it. To have a film with a main character who's a woman – how's that look?"
Screening, Saturday, May 18, at 7 p.m.
Symposium, Sunday, May 19, at 4 p.m.
Both at Osher Hall at MECA, 522 Congress Street
The films are $9 general and $6 student; the symposium is free.
Last Updated on Thursday, 16 May 2013 23:11
Hits: 160
Police: South Portland woman pretended to represent an agency, then stole from the elderly in their homes
Written by David Carkhuff
A South Portland woman charged with burglary preyed on the elderly in their homes by pretending to represent an agency and then stealing money and jewelry from her victims, South Portland Police Sgt. Steve Webster reported.
On Wednesday morning around 10 a.m., Margaret Wilkes, 53, of South Portland, was arrested and charged with three counts of Class B burglary and three counts of Class E theft, Webster reported. Wilkes is suspected of victimizing elderly residents by entering their residences and purporting to be a representative of "The Agency" and asking for medical information, or in some cases conducting inspections, he said. Wilkes did not work for any agency, but she stole currency and sentimental jewelry from the victims, he said.
"She'd use whatever ruse she could," Webster said.
"This isn't a common con because it takes a certain type of person to walk into someone's residence or an apartment and do whatever they want in there," Webster said, calling the crime particularly heinous because of the trusting nature of the victims.
"It just takes away the whole sense of security," he noted.
Members of the South Portland Police Department Detective Bureau, working collaboratively with investigators from the Portland Police Department, arrested Wilkes on Main Street Wednesday morning. A search warrant was served at her residence, and some of the stolen property was recovered, Webster said. There will be more charges forthcoming as she is suspected of committing similar crimes in jurisdictions other than South Portland, he said.
"Speaking about South Portland alone, we charged her with three burglaries," representing three victims there, Webster said.
The brazenness of the crimes could be seen in the types of residences she is charged with entering under false pretenses, Webster said.
"A lot of places were supposedly secure facilities," he said.
A multi-unit apartment complex on Broadway was one example.
"She would worm her way in and walk out with their money and valuables," Webster said.
Wilkes was being held Wednesday at the Cumberland County Jail pending the posting of $500 cash bail, as set by a bail commissioner.
Webster said police are still working on recovering more of the jewelry, some of which was not monetarily of high value but meant a great deal sentimentally to the victims.
On Wednesday morning around 10 a.m., Margaret Wilkes, 53, of South Portland, was arrested and charged with three counts of Class B burglary and three counts of Class E theft, Webster reported. Wilkes is suspected of victimizing elderly residents by entering their residences and purporting to be a representative of "The Agency" and asking for medical information, or in some cases conducting inspections, he said. Wilkes did not work for any agency, but she stole currency and sentimental jewelry from the victims, he said.
"She'd use whatever ruse she could," Webster said.
"This isn't a common con because it takes a certain type of person to walk into someone's residence or an apartment and do whatever they want in there," Webster said, calling the crime particularly heinous because of the trusting nature of the victims.
"It just takes away the whole sense of security," he noted.
Members of the South Portland Police Department Detective Bureau, working collaboratively with investigators from the Portland Police Department, arrested Wilkes on Main Street Wednesday morning. A search warrant was served at her residence, and some of the stolen property was recovered, Webster said. There will be more charges forthcoming as she is suspected of committing similar crimes in jurisdictions other than South Portland, he said.
"Speaking about South Portland alone, we charged her with three burglaries," representing three victims there, Webster said.
The brazenness of the crimes could be seen in the types of residences she is charged with entering under false pretenses, Webster said.
"A lot of places were supposedly secure facilities," he said.
A multi-unit apartment complex on Broadway was one example.
"She would worm her way in and walk out with their money and valuables," Webster said.
Wilkes was being held Wednesday at the Cumberland County Jail pending the posting of $500 cash bail, as set by a bail commissioner.
Webster said police are still working on recovering more of the jewelry, some of which was not monetarily of high value but meant a great deal sentimentally to the victims.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 23:42
Hits: 145
WestFest broadens appeal for adult audience
Written by Timothy Gillis
This year's WestFest is not mere kids' stuff. While there will still be all the fun and games for the younger set on Saturday, May 18, at the Maine Irish Heritage Center, the annual celebration of West End crafters, artists, and artisans will have a distinctly grown-up feel to it.
"In the past, (at Reiche community center), it was more of a kid event," said Rosanne Graef, president of West End Neighborhood Association, "We're trying to bring it into the neighborhood, and focus on adults as well."
This is the fourth year of the festival, and Graef has been involved since its inception.
The day kicks off with a breakfast at St. Louis Church, in conjunction with Wayside, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Also at 9 a.m., a horse-drawn wagon from Rockinghorse Stables in Kennebunk will be giving free rides from MIHC to St. Louis. The wagon is also giving rides from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The festival will feature arts and crafts, as well as a "raffle row" with different prizes offered.
"You put raffle tickets in front of an item," Graef said, "the more tickets, the better probability. There will be a 50/50, refreshments, face-painting, and the new book mobile (from Portland Public Library) in the afternoon."
WestFest will offer a sidewalk chalk-drawing contest. Kids start drawing at 11 a.m.; the judging is at 2 p.m. The theme of this year's contest is "My West End." Anyone can enter, and there will be cash prizes for the winners.
"We're hoping also to encourage people to eat out in West End restaurants," Graef said, "places like the West End Deli, Café Oh No."
Food and drink at the festival is free, but donations are welcomed. The craft show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"The money raised goes to swimming lessons for fourth and fifth graders from Reiche," Graef said. One planned event for the festival had to be scrapped. The evening talent show is not going forward, as they didn't have enough people sign up. "It's not that we didn't have enough talent," Graef said. "I guess people are shy."
Also coming up, there will be a field day for kids from Reiche School on June 1, sponsored by the Portland Recreation Department and the Reiche Parent/Teacher Organization. The field day will be held at the school.
"In the past, (at Reiche community center), it was more of a kid event," said Rosanne Graef, president of West End Neighborhood Association, "We're trying to bring it into the neighborhood, and focus on adults as well."
This is the fourth year of the festival, and Graef has been involved since its inception.
The day kicks off with a breakfast at St. Louis Church, in conjunction with Wayside, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Also at 9 a.m., a horse-drawn wagon from Rockinghorse Stables in Kennebunk will be giving free rides from MIHC to St. Louis. The wagon is also giving rides from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The festival will feature arts and crafts, as well as a "raffle row" with different prizes offered.
"You put raffle tickets in front of an item," Graef said, "the more tickets, the better probability. There will be a 50/50, refreshments, face-painting, and the new book mobile (from Portland Public Library) in the afternoon."
WestFest will offer a sidewalk chalk-drawing contest. Kids start drawing at 11 a.m.; the judging is at 2 p.m. The theme of this year's contest is "My West End." Anyone can enter, and there will be cash prizes for the winners.
"We're hoping also to encourage people to eat out in West End restaurants," Graef said, "places like the West End Deli, Café Oh No."
Food and drink at the festival is free, but donations are welcomed. The craft show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"The money raised goes to swimming lessons for fourth and fifth graders from Reiche," Graef said. One planned event for the festival had to be scrapped. The evening talent show is not going forward, as they didn't have enough people sign up. "It's not that we didn't have enough talent," Graef said. "I guess people are shy."
Also coming up, there will be a field day for kids from Reiche School on June 1, sponsored by the Portland Recreation Department and the Reiche Parent/Teacher Organization. The field day will be held at the school.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 23:42
Hits: 64