Road work continues through fall

The Maine Department of Transportation is working on two streets in Westbrook this summer/fall: Bridge Street – Dana Court to Cumberland Street and East Bridge Street –Methodist Road to Constitution Drive

The road improvement work consists of replacing curb/sidewalk in some areas and full width road surface paving. Motorists should expect traffic delays through Oct. 1.Traffic through the two streets will be slow-going at times, but there are no road closures anticipated as part of the project.

There will be some night work.

Call Public Services with questions, 854-0660

Bridge work subject of meeting

The Department of Transportation will hold a preliminary public meeting to discuss future improvements to the Bridge Street Bridge, which carries Bridge Street over the Presumpscot River, Thursday, Aug. 9, at 6 p.m., in the public safety building, 570 Main St

Anyone with an interest in the project is invited to attend and participate in the meeting.

Tax exemptions worth exploring

These are some of the exemptions that can reduce residents’ assessed value and total tax for next year’s tax billing. Applications can be obtained in the Assessor’s Office at City Hall or downloaded from the city website at www.westbrookmaine.com. Applications must be filed on or before April 1of the year it will go into effect. For further questions, call City Hall at 591-8131 or email chirning@westbrook.me.us.

Homestead Exemption: Reduces the property tax bill of all Westbrook resident homeowners for their primary residence who have owned and lived in their house for the prior 12 months. The exempt amount of $10,000 is deducted from the property’s total taxable value.

Veteran’s and Veteran’s Widow/Widower Exemption: Any Westbrook resident who was in active service in the armed forces of the U.S. during a federally recognized war campaign period and, if discharged or retired under honorable conditions, may be eligible for a $6,000 reduction in valuation. Generally, vets must be age 62 or 100 percent disabled. Discharge documents must be filed with the application.

Blind Exemption: Any Westbrook resident who is certified to be legally blind by their eye care professional is eligible for a $4,000 reduction in valuation. A letter from eye care professional must be filed with the application.

BETE (Business Equipment Tax Exemption): (Retail businesses do not qualify.) BETE is a 100 percent property tax exemption for eligible property that was first subject to tax on or after 4/1/08. There is no time limit on the length of the exemption. BETE does not replace BETR (Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement).

The state also offers property tax exemptions, including the “Circuit Breaker” program for individuals whose property taxes exceed a certain amount of their income. Renters as well as homeowners can take advantage of the circuit breaker program. Applications for the property tax & rent relief program are available online at the Maine Revenue Services website from Aug. 1, 2012, through May 31, 2013 (the filing deadline). Call 626-8475 for additional information.

Free music this summer

Free summer concerts are held Wednesdays in Riverbank Park from 6-8 p.m. The remaining dates are:

Aug. 8 – Get Back

Aug. 15 – Flashback

Bands on the Boardwalk free concerts are every Thursday through Aug. 30 at Saccarappa Park, from 5:15-7:15 p.m. The schedule:

Aug. 2 – Dark Hollow Bottling Company

Aug. 9 – Maine Blues Mafia

Aug. 16 – Kenya Hall Band

Aug. 23 – Captain Ray & the Castaways

Aug. 30 – Model Airplane

August events at Walker library

Every Wednesday from10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. is Wireless Wednesday computer help.

Aug. 2: 10:30-11 am Toddler Storytime; 1-2pm Read to a Dog (call 854-0630 to register); 5:44-6:45pm, Evening Book Group, “In the Garden of Beasts,” by Erik Larson.

Aug. 3: 11am-12:30 pm Read to a Dog (call-854-0630 to register); 2-2:30pm Chapter Book Read-aloud.

Aug. 4: 10:30-11am Wind Stories – Children’s Room; 11am-3pm Craft: Pinwheels – Children’s Room.

Aug. 7:10:30-11am Toddler Storytime.

Aug. 8: 1-2pm Wild Wednesdays: Games & Sno-Cones!

Aug. 9: 10:30-11am Toddler Storytime; 1-2pm Read to a Dog (call 854-0630 to register).

Aug.10: 11am-12:30 pm Read to a Dog (call 854-0630 to register); 2-2:30 pm Chapter Book Read-aloud.

Aug.11: 10:30-11am Back to School Stories; 11am-3pm Craft: Book Covers.

Aug.14: 10:30-11am Toddler Storytime.

Aug.15: 10am-12pm Basic Computer Skills Made Easy (for adults);

1-2pm Wild Wednesdays: Games & Sno-Cones!

Aug.16: 10:30-11am Toddler Storytime; 1-2pm Read to a Dog (call 854-0630 to register); 5-7pm Summer Reading Closing Program: Prizes, Campfire Storytime, with S’mores.

Aug.17: 11am-12:30pm Read to a Dog (call 207-854-0630 to register).

Aug. 21: noon-1pm Book Talk Circle, “Sisters of Hardscrabble Bay,” by Beverly Jensen, Westbrook author.

Aug. 23: 10:30-11am Toddler Storytime; 5:30-6:30pm Author Speaks series: Gayle Lynds, bestselling suspense author.

Warren Pool hours listed

Hours at the Warren Pool this month:

Adult Lap Swim: Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m; Sunday, 7a.m.-10 p.m.

General Swim: Monday-Thursday 1-8 p.m.; Friday, 1-7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11a.m.- 6 p.m.

Get Back members, from left, Peter Albert, Bill Gouzie, Mark Swett and Marc Mailhot, are Westbrook natives getting back together for a free concert in Riverbank Park