Energy efficiency plan

A municipal energy efficiency plan is currently being formulated under the auspices of New Gloucester’s planning department and a workgroup consisting of six residents including Phoebe Hardesty, Abby Lumsden, Cliff Andrews, Dalton Myers, Jim Fitch and Carl Wilcox.

The plan was outlined at an Energy Efficiency Workshop held on March 10. Town Planner Paul First provided opening remarks, followed by a detailed power point presentation by Cliff Andrews summarizing a 2010 energy audit of municipal properties performed by GreenBridge Energy Consortium and Efficiency Maine.

Implementing the energy conservation measures identified for municipal buildings is estimated to cost $42,175, resulting in a projected annual cost savings of approximately $7,792. Funding for the cost of implementation would come from a $36,225 Efficiency Maine grant, a $1,600 Efficiency Maine planning grant, and a requested $4,350 town match. For more information on the energy efficiency plan, call 926-4126 ext. 4.

Sugar Shack

The sap is running and the maple syrup is boiling day and night at the newly constructed Sugar Shack at Norumbega Farm in New Gloucester. The syrup operation is headed up by Noah Fralich, with assistance from his dad Michael Fralich.

The Sugar Shack at Norumbega Farm will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Maine Maple Sunday, March 27. Maple syrup will be available for sale, along with fresh crepes smothered in hot syrup. Come join in the fun. Norumbega Farm is located at 402 Woodman Road. For more information, call 926-3161 or 232-1304.

Antique vehicles ?on display

The New Gloucester Historical Society will hold its next monthly History Barn Open House on Saturday, April 2 from 9 a.m. to noon. The History Barn is located on Route 231 right behind the Town Hall. The public is invited to see the society’s collection of antique wheeled vehicles and historic photos. Admission is free. The History Barn will be open again in May for a quilt show.

Jim Gallant headlines concert

New Gloucester’s own acoustic guitarist Jim Gallant heads up a great act for the next New Gloucester Village Coffee House concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 2. Gallant will be accompanied by his brother Tim on bass, Mark Burns on vocals and Sid Stutzman playing the mandolin and guitar.

Gallant’s latest CD, “Old Hat with a New Coat,” is a collection of down-home feeling Americana songs which will keep you dancing and smiling at the same time. To hear a sampling, check out the discography page of his website www.jimgallant.com.

The coffee house is located at the First Congregational Church’s vestry community room at 19 Gloucester Hill Road. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children under 12 and are available at the door. For more information, call Julie Fralich at 926-3161.

NGTV Channel 3 program

A 37-minute program featuring guest speaker Craig Denekas, vice-president of the Libra Foundation, will be televised on local access Channel 3. The show was taped at an April 2010 New Gloucester Historical Society meeting, and the topic was the various operations at Pineland Farms.

Show times will be 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 25-27 and April 1-3. There are two DVDs of the program at the New Gloucester Public Library for viewing by non-cable subscribers.

Hawk watch

The fifth annual hawk watch at Bradbury Mountain State Park, Route 9, Pownal took flight last week with more than 50 birds, mostly red-tailed hawks, already observed during its first few days by the official counter stationed at the mountain peak. Park visitors are welcome to hike the short, .3-mile climb to the top of Bradbury Mountain and observe the migratory birds that head north each spring.

Hawk watchers who don’t have binoculars are welcome to borrow a pair available at the park. The watch takes place during the hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week, and the season spans from March 15-May 15. An admission fee applies. For more information, call 688-4712.

Roads and driveways public hearing

The New Gloucester Planning Board will hold a public hearing for New Gloucester Zoning Ordinance revisions related to Article 8: Road and Storm Drainage Design and Construction Standards, Entrance and Driveway Standards, and ordinance housekeeping changes.

The public hearing will be held Wednesday, March 23, 7 p.m. at the Amvets Hall, 1095 Lewiston Road. To view the standards and ordinance changes, see the Planning Department page on the town website www.newgloucester.com. If you have questions, please contact the planning office 926-4126 ext. 4.