May 4, 1988

Westbrook teachers have been called to a meeting May 5 to discuss an “impass” in negotiations for a new contract. However, that word was news Monday to Superintendent Edward F. Connolly, who said he doubted that the School Committee had made its “last best offer.” The two-year teachers contract expires Aug. 29. Negotiations on a new one have been under way since early February. With the blessing of state law, they are being held in secret, with both sides pledged not to discuss the terms publicly. The American Journal received reliable information that all members of the Westbrook Education Association, the teachers’ union, were invited to gather at 3:30 p.m. May 5 at the Congin School.

The company seeking to build a nursing home off Spring Street in Westbrook definitely plans to split the 15-acre parcel into two lots, they first said in November. The three-story nursing home they want to put on the Richard Moran property would now go on a 6.8 acre lot, tucked off to the side, instead of on a 51?2 acre piece as proposed in November, closer to the road, Sandy River Group spokesmen told the Planning Board last week. They said they had no specific plans for the second parcel.

Fundraising efforts are well under way to reach a $6,000 goal for the 1988 chemical-free graduation party for Westbrook High School, planned for all night June 12 at the Tennis Racket on outer Congress Street, Portland. Students Brendan Rielly and Katie Charest are coordinating a fundraising adult chem-free dance at St. Hyacinth’s Hall on May 21. Class President Bill Mannette has organized a student fundraising dance for May 6. Faculty Project Graduation coordinators Chris Michaud Bailey and Roxanne Wheeler are pleased with the enthusiasm of volunteers and with the early donations.

Gorham police have investigated three cases of gross sexual misconduct and two of unlawful sexual contact within the last two months. The victims have ranged from 5 to 15 years old. Several of the cases involved abuse of young children by family members, and one involved a teenage girl and an older boy who was not related to her. The police have obtained confessions in four of the five cases, but they said that is an unusual stroke of good luck. “In the last two years we’ve seen more of these cases than ever before,” said Gorham Police Sgt. Jody Thomas, who along with Detective Wayne Drown, handles all of the department’s sexual abuse cases.

What will be Westbrook’s third hardware store is to open soon on Main Street, in the one-time Marsters’s Motors-Ron’s Vetter Center-Brent’s Auto Body building near Cumberland Mills. The store will be the 137th in the family owned Aubuchon chain. “Competition doesn’t bother us, it’s healthy for everyone,” said new store manager Dave Carroll. “I think we can all make a living in Westbrook.”

Gorham High School students Andrew McNeally, Chris Johnson, Handi Dolloff and Marie Cartonio joined chaperones Jean Davis of the high school English department and her niece, Heather Davis of Topsham, on a trip to England during school vacation. They spent three nights in London, traveled to Oxford and Stratford-on-Avon and spent a night in Coventry and went through the lake district to Endinburgh, where they stayed two nights. Returning, they spent a night in York and the last night in London.

May 6, 1998

Westbrook officials were noncommittal this week about a strong rumor that city leaders want a new “City Center” in the block that includes the Mechanic Street fire station on one end and Maine Rubber International on the other. Lending support to the rumor is Maine Rubber’s report that it is moving its heavy tire division to North Carolina and wants a single location, apparently a new one, for its other Westbrook and Gorham locations. The City Center would reportedly include all city offices plus the police and central fire station. Using eminent domain if necessary, the city would buy everything it doesn’t already own in the area bounded by Mechanic Street on the east and Saco Street on the west, and by Main Street on the north and William Clarke (Wayside) Drive on the south. Mayor Donald Esty’s comment on the rumor was, “We’re not going to move for the sake of moving. It would have to be a win-win situation for businesses and citizens.”

Westbrook High School teachers asked the School Committee last week not to relax the rules on student attendance. The committee agreed, but left details to be worked out later and left a chance for some accommodation to parents, who ask that the schools take their word for it that a child is sick. The sticking point is a WHS handbook rule that says, “Students who miss nine classes in the same course during the school year without a doctor’s note will lose graduation credit in that subject.”

Detective John Chase is stepping down from the Westbrook police force after 13 years of service to pursue his home construction business full time. Chase joined the force in 1985, and has been a detective since 1987. He was named Maine Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 1994. His Chase Custom Homes and Financing, specializing in residential construction, built 75 homes last year. The company has offices in Gorham in Windham.

The Westbrook City Council voted 5-1 Monday to amend the parking ordinance to allow a 22-by-32-foot loading zone behind Amato’s Bakery in the parking lot behind 855 Main St. Jack Amato, owner of the bakery, warned the council after the vote, “Eventually, we’re going to come to a legal hassle over this.” The council vote would allow any commercial vehicle to use the space for loading or unloading, while Amato had sought a dedicated space. He said he needs his own space for the delivery trucks that come and go at all hours. He told the American Journal that if he doesn’t get his own space he has two choices: sue or leave.

Quad-captains Matt Spera, Pete Downing, Bryan Huynh and Mike Haigis led the way Thursday as Gorham High School’s boys track team won a 96-61 victory over Marshwood High School.

Eight new members who recently joined the Westbrook United Methodist Church are Greg and Bonnie Anderson, Edward and Candy Brackett, Steve Christiansen, Darrell D’Agostino and Buddy and Irene Johnson.

For many years, McLellan’s store was located at 851-855 Main St.  In the 1930s, 851 Main St. was occupied by the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P), 853 was occupied by McLellan’s and 855 Main was occupied by the F. W Woolworth Co. McLellan’s expanded into 851 and 855 Main St. when the A&P store moved to a new building on the opposite side of the street and the Woolworth company closed its Westbrook store. The McLellan’s chain went out of business in the late 1990s and the building was renovated and divided into Amato’s Bakery on one side and office space on the other. Amato’s later moved to Thomas Drive. Full Court Press and the Dancing Elephant Restaurant now occupy the building, with the address of 855 Main St. To see more historical photos and artifacts, visit the Westbrook Historical Society at the Fred C. Wescott Building, 426 Bridge St. Inquiries can be emailed to westhistorical@myfairpoint.net. The website is www.westbrookhistoricalsociety.org. Photo and research courtesy of Mike Sanphy