Aug. 8, 1990

If the Westbrook football program were a plant, it might be an old weed that refuses to go away. The pesticide of seemingly endless losing, small turnouts and even last fall’s collapse of the bleachers hasn’t killed the enthusiasm of the coaching staff, players and a hardy core of die-hard fans. Pre-season workouts begin Monday. The team opens up Aug. 31 versus Deering. Westbrook’s football problems in the past have been the result of a lack of numbers. Since 1982, the Blazes have struggled, including an infamous winless streak over a three-year stretch in the mid-1980s. But there is optimism. Bright spots this year are the turnout of 56 players and the 60-70 kids in the junior high program.

Mayor Fred Wescott’s office has produced a six-year list of big-ticket items the city needs, including a $1.6 million City Hall in the old high school. It’s the first time since about 1984 that the city has seen a “capital improvements budget.” The list is a recommendation and separate City Council action will be needed for any spending. The list takes in $10.4 million of building improvements, trucks, cars and other equipment, paving, sewers and park improvements. The city would borrow $6 million with new bond issues and take another $4.8 million from the operating budget.

A meeting to talk about forming a new organization of Westbrook businesses will be held Aug. 13. The meeting will also talk about some immediate concerns, including the possibility that Wayside Drive and Main Street would each be made one way. The meeting is being organized by Marty Pizzo, co-owner of Marty’s Variety, and by Lionel Dumond, owner of Show Me Video. Pizzo said the group’s main goal would be to promote business by whatever means members decide to use. “The recent council debates on licensing of mobile vending units is proof that the merchants of Westbrook need to unite and speak with one large, powerful voice,” Pizzo said.

Comings and goings in Gorham: New Town Planner John “Jay” Grande began his job last Wednesday. Grande, 30, left his job as town planner in Wareham, Mass. Police Chief David Kurz will end a 13-year career with the department Friday. He will begin his new job as assistant director of the Bureau of Intergovernmental Drug Enforcement on Aug. 20. And the Gorham Town Council is working on hiring a new town manager following the resignation of John Marcarelli. Marcarelli, who replaced longtime Town Manager Don Gerrish, served only six months.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Lane, Sunset Court, Westbrook, were feted on the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary with a reception July 21. The former Eleanor Webb and Robert Lane were married in Gorham on July 20, 1940.

Aug. 9, 2000

Gorham Sand and Gravel began digging lat week for the foundation for the new, 18,000-square-foot Gorham Public Works building at 80 Huston Road. Voters approved the project in a referendum last November. The current public works building, built in the late 1960s, will be used for storage. The total cost of the project is $2.3 million.

A ceremonial “clean water” toast at noon today will celebrate completion of a water main extension that avoids contamination at Gorham’s Black Brook Road. It will be held at the home of Bill and Joan Wood, 12 Black Brook Road, one of three whose wells have been unusable. The extension project was completed last week, and the three homes with polluted wells have been hooked up to public water. Contamination was discovered in the fall of 1998 after road construction caused the bedrock to crack.

The Westbrook City Council was unanimous in giving second and final passage Monday to the order that changes 230 acres to Business Highway zoning, paving the way for the big retail development proposed by Wolcott Gaines, Windham. Resident Philip Curran was among several opponents of the project who spoke. “I believe it lacks vision,” he said. “I believe the price to be paid will b greater than the profits that will come from it.”

Gorham can do something about downtown traffic congestion without waiting for the bypass, Town Councilor Burleigh Loveitt said. He told the Town Council that although downtown traffic lights will be more efficient in the future, and the town is waiting for a clearer picture of Shop ’n Save’s expansion and installation of a traffic light in front of the store, the matter still warrants attention. “People want to see some concrete evidence that this situation is improving and I think we should do this sooner than later,” he said.

Professional musician and songwriter Way from Maine will entertain children and adults with his “heartwarming melodies,” Aug. 10 at Warren Library, Westbrook. He has been described as a “walking song waiting to happen.” The theme for the day will be “Fishing Party.”

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