I am a descendant as a great great granddaughter of Elizabeth Ingraham Drowne. It was Elizabeth who gave the town of Cumberland 100 acres and a house in her will. The stipulation was that it be used for education. At one point the town had a dump on this beautiful land, clearly against the requirements […]
cumberland maine
Posted inForecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Forum: In Cumberland, the right project at right time and place
I chaired the Cumberland Affordable Housing Task Force. We delivered our report to the council on Jan. 23, 2023. The task force consisted of 10 Cumberland residents who volunteered to undertake this task. Starting in July 2022, we worked very hard on this complex issue delivering a unanimous report reflecting members’ mutual respect, collaboration, problem […]
advertisement
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Honor the agreement about Drowne land in Cumberland
Cumberland residents are being asked whether the town should build affordable housing on land formerly owned by Elizabeth Drowne. The town obtained the land when it accepted an offer in the will of Mrs. Drowne in 1892. The intent of her offer was to have the property benefit education and required that the land never […]
Posted inAmerican Journal, Coastal Journal, Lakes Region Weekly, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Forecaster’s Heather Martin and Abdi Iftin bright spot for reader
I have come to look forward to the weekly opinion columns written by Heather D. Martin and Abdi Nor Iftin. Both writers have a way with words that makes me feel as if they are speaking directly to me. Last week’s essays hit the mark. Martin writes of the late, great Ashley Bryan, who in […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Cumberland housing project meets challenge of changing needs
Cumberland’s Town Council has opened discussion on a proposed referendum to address town needs for lower cost homes. Historically we’ve been a rural, farming community, but not a wealthy community. Now Cumberland’s growing and changing, with the average home sales price nearly $750,000. Proposed housing near Drowne Road offers opportunities for older residents to move […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Northern Meetings: Feb. 1-8
Chebeague Island Tue. 2/6 5 p.m. Board of Adjustments/Appeals Town Hall Tue. 2/6 6 p.m. School Committee Island School Wed. 2/7 6 p.m. Select Board Town Hall Cumberland Thu. 2/1 6 p.m. Affordable Housing Info Val Halla Falmouth Thu. 2/1 4 p.m. Long-Range Planning Town Hall Thu. 2/1 4 p.m. Community Development Town Hall Mon. […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Drowne Road housing project could cost taxpayers $12.50 to $72.50 a year
Cumberland Councilor Shirley Storey-King said she is concerned about any impact on taxpayers at all.
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Cumberland’s Shane exemplifies ‘good local government and what it can be’
Cumberland Town Manager Bill Shane, retiring in June, says he’ll miss his day-to-day work with town employees and the Cumberland Community Food Pantry, but “I don’t want to be that guy who doesn’t know when to leave.”
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Northern Meetings: Jan. 25-Feb. 1
Chebeague Island Thu. 1/25 6 p.m. Building/Facilities Committee Zoom Cumberland Wed. 1/31 4:30 p.m. Ordinance Committee Town Hall Thu. 2/1 6 p.m. Affordable Housing Info Val Halla Falmouth Thu. 2/1 4 p.m. Long-Range Planning Town Hall Freeport Thu. 1/25 8:30 a.m. Project Review Board Site Walk Cedar Haven Tue. 1/30 7:45 a.m. Economic Dev. Corporation […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Letter: Drowne Road project will add to tax, school burdens
I am very concerned about the proposed affordable housing project off Drowne Road in Cumberland. In the information shared in the Cumberland Crier regarding this effort, it speaks to people working in Cumberland not being able to afford to live here. However, nowhere in the information shared does it state that preference will be given […]