Nov. 16, 1988

Springbrook Associates and the Sandy River Group have won the six-way contest for a state staff recommendation for a new Portland-area nursing home. They plan a $4.5 million building on Spring Street in Westbrook. However, a public hearing and review of that decision by the state’s Certificate of Need Advisory Committee are scheduled for Nov. 17 in Augusta. Springbrook plans 100 intermediate care beds plus 25 skilled care beds.

Jeff and Kathy Corey, Waterville, have bought Day’s Jewelry Store, 857 Main St., Westbrook, from Sidney and David Davidson. The Davidsons are retiring from the jewelry business in Maine. The Corey family has a long jewelry history, too, and a long-term friendship with the Davidsons. The Coreys plan to continue the Day’s name and traditions.

Stalled contract talks between Westbrook firefighters and the city are headed for mediation. The firefighters were told Friday that their business agent, Paul Miragliuola, has requested mediation to settle the negotiations that have gone on almost two years. The firefighters say the mediation request was made without their knowledge, and that the request lists only six issues instead of the more than 20 items firefighters thought were being discussed. Marti Blair, the city’s administrative assistant, said the request for mediation was a joint request on behalf of both the firefighters’ union and the city.

Westbrook voters have endorsed a $6.5 million improvement and expansion of the high school. The margin was 2-1. The funds will allow the school board to address “about 90 percent of the needs at the high school,” said School Committee Chairman John Skvorak.

The soggy problem of the leaky Gorham High School gym roof moved one step closer to a solution with last week’s overwhelming voter approval of a $125,000 bond issue for repairs. The money, however, may not be enough if the state Bureau of Public Improvements decides the asbestos found in the roof has to be removed. Because of that uncertainty and the now-cold weather, the Gorham School Committee agreed last week to delay the project until spring.

Pvt. Jacqueline J. Thuotte, daughter of Phillip Thuotte and Sandra Thuotte, Westbrook, has completed basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. She is a 1986 graduate of Westbrook High School.

Nov. 18, 1998

With little discussion this week, the Westbrook City Council voted 6-0 to ban through truck trips in downtown Westbrook. Except to make deliveries, trucks are now prohibited on Main Street between the Arterial (at the central school offices) and Saco Street. Fifteen signs have been ordered and as soon as they go up, officers will start warning violators, said Police Chief Steven Roberts. Some of the signs will direct drivers to William Clarke Drive.

On a 3-0 vote last week, Westbrook’s Rent Justification Board voted to deny The Hamlet mobile home park’s request to raise rent on its 288 lots by $19 a month. Hamlet attorney Mike Wilson immediately mentioned the likelihood of a court appeal, something he was already threatening before the meeting. Board members said the Virginia Beach, Va.-based park owner Richard Kellam inflated various expense figures attempting to justify the increase.

Westbrook is losing its school bus boss of the past 10 years. Thomas “Tim” Walsh has resigned effective Friday. The transportation director formerly reported to Francis Amoroso, administrative assistant to the superintendent. Since July 1, he has reported to Michael Kane, assistant superintendent. Elaine S. “Penny” Esposito has been nominated to follow Walsh as director of transportation. She has been a Westbrook school bus driver 11 years and for the past four, also was the transportation dispatcher, working in the director’s office.

Westbrook High School’s marching band came in second among 23 bands in the season-ending New England Scholastic Band Association’s championships Nov. 8 on Nickerson Field at Boston University. Its score was 91.8, the highest placement Westbrook has ever had in the New England competition.

The Gorham Town Council re-elected Norman Justice Jr. as chairman and chose Michael Phinney as vice chairman last week. No others were nominated.

The Gorham Town Council voted last week to table a proposed requirement that developers set aside land for recreational purposes or pay a fee. The proposal was sent to the council’s Ordinance Committee for study. David Cole, town manager, said housing growth is slowly accelerating, signaling a need for more recreational facilities in the future. The amount of land set aside would be based on the size of the subdivision. The Planning Board split 3-3 on the amendment last month.

Gospel singer Diane Muise, Auburn, will perform a free concert Nov. 25 at Galilee Baptist Church, Main Street, Gorham. Muise, her husband Leo and 9-year-old son Michael travel approximately 50,000 miles performing as many as 200 concerts a year.

50 YEARS AGO

The Westbrook American reported on Nov. 13, 1963, that Mrs. Philip Honan was chairwoman of a public toy party sponsored by the St. Anne’s Women’s Club in Gorham.

A Bonny Eagle High School senior, Carl Dunn of Buxton, qualified for a National Merit Scholarship. Two other seniors who also qualified were Gerald Sawyer of Limington and Steven Hayden of Standish.

Rudy Vallee and his family at one time resided at 35 Church St. when they first moved to Westbrook from Vermont. The family later moved to Monroe Avenue. In 1942, Henry Rocheleau purchased the house and relocated his funeral business, H.G. Rocheleau & Son, from 71 Church St. to this building. In 1953, Robert E. Blais Jr. purchased the business and renamed it Blais Funeral Home. He enlarged the building in 1975, adding a large chapel and garage. The business is presently owned and operated by Robert E. Blais III and his brother, James Blais. In 2002, they purchased the John W. Hay Funeral Home and changed the name to Blais & Hay Funeral Home. This photo shows the building with carport before the addition. 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.