Thumbs up to the Town of Sanford on the opening of a new police station this week. For more than 100 years, the Sanford Police Department has operated out of the town hall, and this new, much-needed space will allow police to have more a efficient and state-of-the-art facility. The project also put area contractors to work, with about $1.2 million worth of work awarded to local firms. At the dedication ceremony last Monday, Town Manager Mark Green said the building was finished on time and also came in $200,000 to $300,000 under budget.

Thumbs down to the potential price tag of the lawsuit by Goose Rocks Beach residents against Town of Kennebunkport, trying to restrict public access to the beach. Residents approved spending up to $250,000 at Town Meeting recently to battle the group in court and maintain public access. Instead of filing a costly lawsuit and increasing everyone’s taxes, beachfront property owners should work with the town to resolve the issues. There are many useful ”“ and necessary ”“ projects and services the town could fund with $250,000.

Thumbs up to McArthur Library, Biddeford Historical Society and especially the students at Biddeford High School who dedicated time to putting local history online through the Biddeford Heritage Project. The website was launched recently and funded through a grant from the Maine Historical Society. Students from Denise Doherty’s alternative education class, Project Aspire, spent time scanning images and putting content on the site to allow people more access to Biddeford’s history. These types of projects teach youth about their history and benefit the community at large.

Thumbs up to developer Doug Sanford for purchasing the former WestPoint Home complex in Biddeford’s mill district. Sanford plans to develop the buildings in a mix of residential and commercial-use spaces. Sanford said he hopes the development will spur more economic development in the area. For all who admire these monuments to the region’s past, Sanford’s continuing faith in their future is an inspiration. These buildings can continue to serve Biddeford well, drawing residents and businesses to the area.

Thumbs up to the Southern Maine Fuller Center for Housing, which builds and rehabilitate homes for people in need. The Saco chapter, the first in Maine, is working to refurbish a home in Dayton for a single mother of two girls, who will be able to move back into their upgraded home soon. Thanks in most part to volunteers, the house has had support beams installed, windows with rotting frames replaced, and gaps around doorways sealed. Paneling that divided rooms was removed and will be replaced, a new heating system will be installed and electrical work will be also completed. Neighbors helping neighbors is an approach that uplifts the whole community, and this project will make one family much more comfortable in their home.

— Thumbnails is a Monday feature of the Journal Tribune’s opinion pages. If you would like to respond, please write the Reader’s Forum via e-mail at jtcommunity@journaltribune.com or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford or Sanford offices.