News Notes: August 5, 2023

Isaac Pecoraro helps his mother Kim enter Springvale Public Library.

Compiled by Gail Burnett

Easy open: Thanks to a grant from the Maine Community Foundation, Springvale Public Library patrons can now get into the library’s main entrance with the push of a button. Automatic door openers are something that Director Lesley Unger said staff and patrons have wanted for years. The system is helpful not only for people with disabilities but for those pushing strollers, carrying heavy loads of books, or trying to get reluctant toddlers to walk with them. “We can’t thank them enough,” Unger said of the foundation.

Mousam River Commons Update: The application by Sanford Housing Authority to build Mousam River Commons, a new 44-unit senior apartment building next door to the Maples in South Sanford has been withdrawn, according to Planning Director Jamie Cole. SHA Executive Director Diane Small said they are exploring different locations for the project. Planning Board members had expressed concerns about the lack of a second access road to the property when the application was reviewed last month.

Art Walk time: This Friday will mark the inaugural Art Walk in downtown Sanford hosted by the new Sanford Arts Commission. Artists in many media, including painting, photography, sculpture, crafts and performance art, have been invited to display their work downtown between 4 p.m. and dusk. This will become a regular feature in town on the second Friday of the month through November. Anyone interested in learning more or displaying their work can contact Evelyn Nitzberg at evelynnitzbergart1@gmail.com.

Donations welcome: High demand, thanks in part to the influx of asylum seekers in recent months, has led to a need for more donations to the Ste. Therese of Lisieux food pantry. Food Director Barbara Russell said recently that the pantry has gone from feeding 60 people to 140 in the past couple of months. The pantry distributes food every Thursday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. from the St. Ignatius Gym on Riverside Avenue. To make a donation, visit the food pantry’s web page here.

Police retirements: Two veteran officers recently retired from the Sanford Police Department. Officer Amy Gagne was with the department for 39 years and Lt. Timothy DeHaven for 30 years. Both received kudos for their service and many congratulatory messages and well wishes on the department’s Facebook page.

Drug charges: Sanford police and the state Drug Enforcement Agency recently charged a second person in connection with a major drug bust earlier this year on Bateman Street. Gary Lanoie, 36, who was already being held at York County Jail on unrelated charges, is accused of aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs. In May Brandi Richmond was arrested in the same bust, which netted methamphetamines, fentanyl, weapons and suspected drug sale proceeds. Police said they needed to conduct more forensic testing on items found at the home before charging Lanoie.

Road closure explained: Part of New Dam Road was closed to traffic Wednesday morning while police conducted a search of property at 148 New Dam Road. According to a department press release, officers searched the property in connection with several burglaries in the area. Because of what they found, charges may be on the way.

Nasson Health Care to Share Stories and Plans

Community members are invited to an open house at Nasson Health Care on Thursday August 10. The center is offering refreshments, tours of the facility, and stories about patient care and plans for improving the growing center.

Community Open House

Noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, August 10

Nasson Health Care

15 Oak Street, Springvale

The facility on the former Nasson College campus opened ten years ago with funding authorized by the Affordable Care Act. It is one of 20 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in Maine that provide high quality medical, dental and mental health services regardless of a patient’s income level. Last year, the center served 7,249 patients, 12 percent of whom had no insurance.

Personal tours are available at a later date if you are unable to attend.