A street view of Avesta Meadowview II, a multi-unit senior housing project under review by the Gray Planning Board.  Contributed / JSA Design

Planning Board reviewing senior housing project

A 27-unit senior housing development will come before the Planning Board during a public hearing at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, to consider the site plan, conditional use and subdivision plan.

The project being proposed by Avesta Housing Development Corporation, Avesta Meadowview and Gray Senior Housing, Inc. would be located near 16 Hancock St. at Tax Map 43, Lot 405-39, in the Village Center Zoning District. The application is also subject to multi-family housing standards and village design standards.

The meeting will be conducted remotely using Zoom. Visit graymaine.org for the agenda and meeting link. For more information, call the Community Development office at 657-3112.

School COVID-19 policy

All students in SAD 15 who test positive for COVID-19 are now required to be out of school for 10 days following the onset of symptoms or the district’s test sample date for asymptomatic cases. The five-day isolation standard will remain in place for staff only. Visit msad15.org for more information.

In related news, each U.S. household is eligible for four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests through covidtests.gov. Orders usually ship in seven to 12 days.

Libby Hill Forest agreement

The three landowners of Libby Hill Forest Recreation Area have come to a formal agreement to better coordinate trail maintenance and the cost to maintain the trails accessible from 50 Libby Hill Road, according to libbyhill.org.

Over the next year, the town of Gray, Gray Community Endowment and SAD 15 will be gathering information and formalizing a long-term plan. Resources and equipment from the town and school district will make maintenance more cost-effective and efficient, and the effort is expected to take advantage of the dedicated volunteers who support and maintain the trail system.

Thanks were extended to Sandra Carder, who helped finalize the agreement after negotiations between the landowners and to the generosity of the families and residents who have donated land, money and time to secure a legacy that will live on permanently.

Council sets goals and tasks

Among the tasks and goals recently set by the council are improving traffic and infrastructure in the Village area. This includes finalizing engineering plans for Route 115/Yarmouth Road and drafting engineering plans for Route 100/Main Street to coordinate with upcoming Maine Department of Transportation stormwater projects.

Traffic would be reconfigured through the Village via the above projects and the ongoing Short Shaker Road project. Striping would be changed and traffic calming measures would be added. In addition, restricting heavy truck use on specific sections, upgrading bike/pedestrian options and creating more robust streetscaping is hoped to make the Village safer and more attractive. Creating a master plan for the Village includes a plan for the newly acquired Village Gateway property.

The council also looks to protect critical rural areas via a growth management and zoning update plan and to encourage growth in the Village area. Councilors also want to retain existing businesses and attract new businesses and identify critical needs for them, such as sewer and natural gas.

Creating an inspiring place to work with professional, motivated and trained staff that are sufficiently compensated is also a priority, with training and policies to support work/life balance. For details, see the Town Council’s tracking spreadsheet at graymaine.org.

Snowolves Snowmobile Club

The local snowmobile trail system is open for the season, and residents who ride are asked to consider becoming members to support the Snowolves Snowmobile Club. Maps will soon be hot off the press, thanks to Spiller’s Reprographics, and will be available for purchase at the following supporting businesses: Birchwood Brewing, Trails & Ales, Tailgate Bar & Grill, Fishermens Net and Richardsons Marine in Windham. Every sale benefits trail grooming and maintenance efforts in Gray. Go to Gray Snowolves Snowmobile Club on Facebook for more.

Pantry wish list

Pantry needs at this time include empty dish detergent bottles, cans of baked beans and diapers in size newborn, 2 and 3. Winter outerwear is the only clothing now being accepted. Items can be left in the bin on the side of the first pantry shed at the First Congregation Church parish house parking lot behind McDonald’s. Call or text Donna at 671-4458 if you leave items or to make an appointment to leave perishable items. Check can be made out to Gray Community Food Pantry and mailed to Jan Nowinski, 55 Westwood Road, Gray, ME 04039.

Recreation news

The Gray Ice Rink behind Town Hall is frozen, but folks should stay off the ice unless the snow has been cleared.

Parent’s Night Out is from 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, when the grown-ups can enjoy a nice night out without having to worry about the kids. For more information, see gngrec.com.

Weather Service seeks interns

The National Weather Service in Gray is seeking students to serve as summer interns. Motivated students will learn more about the operations in a local weather service office while conducting research relevant to NWS operations. Applicants must be at least a half-time student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in meteorology, atmospheric science or similar field who has completed at least their sophomore year by summer 2022. Hands-on activities such as balloon launches and shadowing forecasters will be included if the job moves to the office.

The unpaid intern would work approximately two days a week. The deadline for submission is March 4. Go to weather.gov/media/gyx/2022Announcement.pdf for details.

Marilyn Keating-Porcaro can be contacted at mkp657@aol.com.