As most of you know, some interesting events have been happening in Sabattus lately. If you are not sure what I am referring to, please visit my News page and read the top two press releases. This issue is about transparency and ethics. It is also about me helping my constituents and the fact that I am also a resident and concerned citizen of Sabattus.

The kids get ready to eat pie at Greene Village Day.

The past few weeks have been very busy. I attended Greene Village Day on September 12th. This is the second year I have attended and I really enjoyed it! It is a fun event for families. Senator Nutting and I attended and did a So You Think You Know Maine contest for the kids. The kids enjoyed it and we gave out 5 gold dollar awards. We were also talked into joining the kids in the pie eating contest! The volunteers who put on this event do a great job and I want to say thank you for the invite!

Senator Nutting and I get ready to eat pie!

A lot has been happening on the energy front. The new Commission to Study Energy Infrastructure met a couple of weeks ago. This Commission has been put together to study ways to move Maine forward on the energy front. Maine’s Director of the Governor’s Office of Energy Independence and Security (OEIS) gave a good presentation on the New England Governor’s Renewable Energy Blueprint. New England has vast untapped renewable resources, particularly wind. Having the Governor’s working together for our best energy interests is a step in the right direction for all of the New England states.

There was a good Sun Spots article in the Sun Journal on September 15th. The article talked about tax credits to help pay for energy efficiency. Here is a link to the article…. http://www.sunjournal.com/node/274743/

Last week I attended the Route 9 Reconstruction Public Meeting in Lisbon. Here is an overview of the meeting:

• Project will be starting at Barker Brook in Lisbon.
• Negotiations with property owners in Lisbon have been completed.
• Negotiations with Sabattus property owners will begin in mid-September.
• Heavy construction will begin in Spring 2010 in Sabattus if all property negotiations are resolved.
• New road will have a 11 foot travel way with 6 foot shoulders.
• Department of Transportation (DOT) will compensate for trees. They have money for trees and shrubs available. If you request, you can meet with DOT landscape designer in Fall of 2010.
• The curve with the ledge in Sabattus will be straightened and the hill will be filled.
• It is the goal of the DOT to keep all mailboxes up and running during the project.
• If you own a business on Route 9, please give DOT notice and they will work with you to keep an entrance available.
• DOT will work on Saturday’s if needed.
• DOT will run water trucks 7 days a week to keep the dust under control.
• DOT will have 2 negotiators in Sabattus. All property owners have the right to hire their own appraisers.

If you have any questions about the project, please give me a call or e-mail me.