West Paris to plant new Christmas tree

WEST PARIS — Selectmen at their August 22 meeting decided to purchase a new town Christmas tree. The next step is to decide where to plant it.

"I'd like to see it be visible from Main Street," said Selectman Dennis Henderson.

Previously, the tree was located adjacent to the town office near the soap box derby area, said Town Manager John White. Selectmen agreed to look for an alternative location for the tree that would be more visible from Route 219. 

During the meeting, Henderson said he spoke with Gammon Landscaping of Auburn about a replacement town Christmas tree – the first tree was buried too low, not leaving enough room for the roots.

As a result, White said the old tree "died a slow death."

"It [the roots] should have been opened up more and raised a little bit higher," said Henderson.

Selectmen discussed planting a new tree at the fire station, across from the town office. White agreed saying he thinks the fire station "would be a nice place," but that the selectmen should seek other alternative locations.

White said he wants to plant the Christmas tree as soon as possible – or at least before the ground freezes. 

According to White, the town's new tree will be six to seven feet. "I want a substantial tree," he said.

Selectmen agreed to purchase a Balsam Fir from Gammon Landscaping for $332, including labor.

In other news, selectmen said firefighters need to be instructed where to drive the trucks on fire scenes in order to avoid getting them stuck. 

According to selectmen, a West Paris fire truck recently got stuck in a "soft area" at a fire scene on Kittridge Brook.

White reported that the truck was not damaged but did have to be towed out.

He said that Fire Chief Norm St. Pierre will be addressing the situation with the driver of the truck and the other firefighters according to the department's policy.

In other news, the board:

• Appointed Wendy Newmeyer to the Appeals Board. The board is also seeking one member and one alternate.

• Heard from Town Manager John White that the town has signed up for a workshop on Maine Local Roads' new version of software. The workshop is scheduled for Sept. 12. In the weeks following, the town will conduct the visual survey of roads and formulate a new paving plan.

• Heard from White that he sent a letter to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for the town to participate in the electronic issuance of hunting and fishing licenses and boat, ATV and snowmobile registrations for their department.

• Heard from White that he has provided Sebago Technics with the town's tax assessment data. Sebago Technics has been contracted to develop GIS property data for the state, used as part of the state's Broadband Initiative to expand broadband availability.