Water district warns painting hydrants is prohibited

The Portland Water District, which provides services to the Greater Portland area, including Westbrook and Gorham, has issued a warning about the unauthorized painting of fire hydrants after it was reported that several were illegally painted in Portland.

“Painting hydrants non-standard colors can jeopardize public safety and a firefighter’s ability to fight fires because hydrants are color-coded to indicate the water flow available at that location,” a water district press release said.

The district also uses special paint to help firefighters locate hydrants at night.

Hydrants are public property and painting them could be considered criminal mischief and lead to prosecution, the district said.

“While I appreciate the interest in helping to keep our hydrants looking shiny and new, color-coding hydrants is one way we communicate with the fire departments and support fire protection efforts,” the district’s Director of Water Services Jim Wallace said.

Polygraph school grad

Detective Brady Coulombe of the Westbrook Police Department recently graduated from a 12-week polygraph program at Northeast Counterdrug Training Center at Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania.

Coulombe, a military veteran, joined the Westbrook force in 2019.

Polygraph is more commonly known as a lie detector.

Give the gift of life

The American Red Cross is providing an opportunity to donate blood from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, July 15, at Bill Dodge Auto Group, 2 Saunders Way in Westbrook. Appointments are requested by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Concert schedule

Tom Petty Tribute will be in concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at Valle Square, and Maine Marimba Ensemble will entertain at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, at Riverbank Park.

50 years ago

The American Journal on July 19, 1972, reported that Westbrook High School basketball coach Bill Folsom was director of a post-high school basketball program sponsored by the recreation department.