SANFORD — A faulty fluorescent light fixture started the fire that claimed the life of E. Armand Talbot, a former Sanford selectman who remained active in his community.
Talbot’s body was found in the laundry room of his home at 9 Armand Lane on Estes Lake Tuesday night, where the faulty light was located. He died from smoke inhalation, said Maine Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland.
Always interested in municipal goings-on, Talbot, 74, had left a town council meeting about 20 minutes earlier and made his way home. He saw the fire, went to a neighbor’s home and asked her to call for help and then re-entered his burning home ”“ likely, authorities said, to try and extinguish the fire.
Talbot frequently attended town council meetings and was present at the meeting on Tuesday, questioning the council about a plan to move a fuel farm at Sanford Regional Airport from one side of the airport to another.
The Town Council at its Nov. 15 session is poised to dedicate the podium in the council chambers in Talbot’s memory, and to recognize his efforts to question and be concerned about town government behalf of the taxpayer, said Council Chairman Gordon Paul.
“I think this might be a fitting tribute to Armand by the council seeing how he was the so-called “8th councilor,” and was always seen standing at the podium raising questions and concerns about town government on behalf of the taxpayers,” said Paul.
He spoke his mind often in frequent letters to the editor to the Journal Tribune.
An avid motorcyclist, he often made trips across the country.
A founding member of the Estes Lake Association, Talbot frequently expressed his concerns to town officials about the former CGA site on New Dam Road, where a copper processing plant was abandoned years ago. The town took possession of the site one year ago.
He had been heavily involved in Citizens for Responsible Government, a group that met in the early 1990s.
He was a former member of the Airport Advisory Committee and a few years ago, after seeing a similar venue elsewhere, suggested Sanford Regional Airport host a “Ragwing Rally,” that invites the public in to see aircraft up close.
Friends said he loved to dance and have fun.
Paul said he’d spoken to Talbot Tuesday as the council meeting was adjourning for the night.
“He was thought of as a watchdog, he always asked questions,” Paul recalled. “He was a well-respected person in the community.”
A memorial service is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 500 Main St. in Sanford.
Meanwhile, fire officials say when a building is on fire, stay outside.
“When you have a fire and you leave, don’t go back in,” said Assistant Fire Chief Steve Benotti. “Get out and stay out.”
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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