Tune in to woodworking show on Gray TV

Now showing on Community Television GCTV2 on Cable Channel 2 is “The Garage with Steve Butler,” Saturday at 1 p.m. Butler, according to his Facebook page, is an artist and furniture maker with more than 20 years of experience. On the show, he “will share with you the way to make fun woodworking projects. Anything from fine furniture to cigar box guitars are what he’s making. The Garage is a how-to show unlike any other.”

Also being broadcast are town council, planning board, school board and zoning board of appeals meetings. Storytime at Gray Public Library is aired Mondays at 1 p.m. and from Carver Memorial Library Fridays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m.

Want to produce your own program? Gray TV can help with that. Does your nonprofit organization, church, fraternal group, or veterans organization have an announcement to make? Submit it at least two weeks in advance to graymaine.org/news-event-communications-request. It will get on the air for all to see.

In related news, there are three openings on the town’s Television and Communications Advisory Committee. Contact Kyle Hadyniak at the Town Office or Brad Fogg at bfogg@graymaine.org.

Nomination papers available

Nomination papers are now available for the following positions: Gray Town Councilor, one, three-year term to expire June 2025; School Administrative District 15 Board of Directors for two, three-year terms to expire June 2025 and one, two-year term to expire June 2024; Water District Trustee, one, five-year term to expire June 2027.

Residents can obtain papers from the town clerk’s office, where they must be returned no later than noon Monday, April 18. For more information, call 657-3339. Learn more at graymaine.org.

Zoning board of appeals vacancy

There is a vacancy on the five-member zoning board of appeals, which hears applications for conditional uses variances and appeals of decisions made by the code enforcement officer.

The board may approve variances that are related to the unusual shape, topography, or physical features of a lot, referred to as hardship variances. The board may also grant variances for the entrance or exit of a dwelling or vehicle storage for a person with a disability; to reduce a setback, or for practical reasons in a difficult situation. The board meets on an as-needed basis, but no more than once a month, and last year met only four times. Training will be provided at no cost. Contact Brad Fogg at bfogg@graymaine.org if interested.

New COVID guidelines

Masks are optional in schools and on buses and other school transportation effective March 9. Individuals with COVID-like symptoms will need to stay home and have a lab-validated negative COVID-19 test to return to school. Individuals testing positive for COVID-19 will need to isolate for at least five days but can return to school masked at all times for days 6-10 of the isolation period. Individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 do not need to quarantine from school, but will need to wear a mask at all times at school during the quarantine period. (Individuals who are fully vaccinated or participate in the district’s pooled testing program are exempt from this rule.) The district will work towards sourcing high-quality KN95 and N95 masks for those students and staff who wish to use them. See msad15.org for more complete guidelines.

Takeout bean supper

First Congregational Church is hosting a bean supper Saturday, March 26, at 5 Brown St. The menu includes pea beans, two red hot dogs, coleslaw, a biscuit, and choice of apple or blueberry pie. Meals are $10 each, payable at time of pick up. Meals must be ordered in advance by calling Carol at 650-9093 with name, phone number, number of meals and choice of pie. The deadline for reservations is Wednesday, March 23 at 2 p.m. Pick up between 4:30-5:30 p.m. Park at the Parish House and enter by the front door. Face masks and social distancing are required.

Lacrosse clinic

Kids in grades 3-6 can brush up on their lacrosse skills or learn more about the sport at a free lacrosse clinic to be held later this month by Gray-New Gloucester Recreation. Reserve a spot at gngrec.com. A recreational lacrosse program later this spring.

It’s in the bag

The Gray Public Library Association has been selected by the Hannaford on Shaker Road for the Community Bag Program. GPLA will receive a $1 donation from each purchase in March of the $2.50 reusable community bag. Ask the Customer Service Desk where the bags can be found.

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