Volume II Issue 3
July 2018

The Town Hall Goose is ready to Play Ball!

From the Editor

It appears summer is making its arrival and our Goose is ready for baseball action with the “Gooseville Sluggers.”

In this July issue we have some historical notes by Steve Adams about the Revere Bell in one of the oldest buildings in Kennebunk – the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church. Linda Johnson shares news about the Community Market on Saturdays at the Waterhouse Center. We wish a fond farewell to Heather Harris, who served on the EDC Board for seven years, most recently as Vice-Chair. We also welcome Maureen Flaherty of Kennebunk Savings to the Board along with five new businesses to town. For future activities, we recap the process for restoring train service to Kennebunk, and Economic Development Director, Jim Black, reviews the potential sale of the town’s property on Route 1 South.

Stay tuned for more of the town’s historical notes and upcoming development in our next quarterly newsletters.

Steve Hrehovcik, Editor

Paul Revere Bell Installed In Remodeled
“Old Meeting House”

In 1774, the historic Meeting House built on land donated by Col. Joseph Storer near the Wedding Cake house was moved to the top of Main Street opposite the Brick Store Museum – the present site of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church.

Paul Revere Bell at old "Meeting House" building

In 1803, the building was enlarged and a bell tower with steeple added. The next year, designer Thomas Eaton installed a 1,017-pound bell forged in the Paul Revere foundry in Canton, Massachusetts. Cast into the bell was the inscription: “Revere & Son, Boston 1803.” The local newspaper stated the bell could be heard as far away as Alfred! A popular legend says that the pulpit was carved from one log found floating in the Caribbean Ocean and towed home to Maine. The congregation also decided at that time to change the color from the original yellow, to white as we see today.
Information supplied by Steve Adams

The Community Market of the Kennebunks

The Community Market of the Kennebunks began its 7^th season on Saturday, May 26th hosting a very enthusiastic array of seasoned and new artisans and crafters. There are 18 full-time vendors and 14 fill-ins to ensure a full house and new vendors each week. There are weekly raffle prizes and free coffee offered to shoppers and visitors of the market.

Market members also maintain a blog on the town’s website where vendors are featured and market news and events are shared. Please join us and see the quality and wide variety of locally produced items for sale.The market is open on Saturdays from May until October from 9-2.
Contributed by Linda Johnson, Community Events Coordinator, Market Manager

A Fond Farewell to Heather Harris

Heather Harris, who has served on the Economic Development Committee for 7 years, including as Vice-Chair, has decided to move on to other opportunities. We thank her for the valuable services she has provided and wish her all the best in her future activities.

A warm welcome to Maureen Flaherty, new member of the Economic Development Committee

Maureen Flaherty joins the EDC, bringing more than 20 years of experience as a marketing and branding executive with expertise in Digital Marketing, Brand Strategy and Marketing Technologies. For the last year she has served as Chief Marketing Officer at Kennebunk Savings. Maureen's experience includes working as an agency executive in Portland, Oregon and New York City as well as senior management roles with Mars, Inc. and IDEXX. Early in her career, she worked as an Urban Designer and Landscape Architect for design films in Philadelphia, NYC and London. Maureen grew up outside of Philadelphia and attended Penn State University. For the last 3 years she has been a part of the Kennebunk community with her husband Jim.

Town Works To Return Train Service

The path for a train stop in Kennebunk has had more curves in the track than expected. In 2014 the town worked with Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a seasonal stop in Kennebunk for the Downeaster. The same year, voters approved $300,000 for train station parking. The project stalled as planners considered a temporary platform, then determined a permanent design better. Changes in the town’s leadership and confusion about the DOT’s expectations, further delayed the project. New questions arose - where would the train stop-- the Dietz or Gould property; what are the annual expenses; and would the town meet the DOT deadline.

Over the last eight months the EDC, led by Chair, Robert Georgitis, met to determine what was best for the town. The conclusion: hosting a stop in Kennebunk is an economic driver for local businesses; annual costs are expected to be under $20,000 (funded through the TIF); and now is best chance for a stop along the Downeaster corridor. With the town’s $300,000 and $800,000 from the DOT, the project is feasible.

The results: on May 29^th the selectman unanimously voted to send a letter to the DOT stating the town favors the project. If all approvals are met, construction could begin in 2019.

Contributed by Heather Harris

Developments For Rest Area On Route 1 South

The Rest Area on Route 1 South owned by the town had many interested parties download the “Request For Proposal” to purchase the property. At this time one official offer has been submitted. The town looks forward to a new business that would add products and/or services to the community at this prime location. It will also add new jobs and expand the tax base.

The total land area consists of 14 acres, but presence of wetlands and vernal pools restricts development to 4 to 6 acres. The proposal process includes evaluating the prospective businesses by several town officials and committees. At the end of the review process, the selection committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. That recommendation will be made at a public meeting, where the Board will discuss and award the developer they select. Be sure to sign up to receive notifications when meeting agendas are posted for the Board of Selectmen to follow this exciting development!

Information provided by Jim Black, Interim Economic Development Director

A warm welcome to new business activities…

Kennebunk became a “Certified Business Friendly Community” from Maine’s Department of Economic and Community Development in 2013. The town continues to welcome new businesses and help existing businesses provide valued services and products to our residents and visitors.

We are pleased to welcome the following business that have opened or changed ownership since our last newsletter.

Toppings Pizza, changed ownership – 8 York Street, Restaurant, Pizza, Beer, Wine; Owner: Stuart Leckle.
Thomas Tammaro – 17 Hillcrest Drive, Apt 1, Remote Bookkeeping; Owner: Thomas Tammaro.
Coburn Communications – 29 Ridgewood Circle, Marketing; Owner: Robert Coburn.
Haven Veterinary House Call – 819 Alewive Road, Veterinary House Call Practice; Owner: Kelly M. Hill.
Happier Ever After - 43 Beach Avenue, Training and Coaching; Owner: Steven K. Ladd.

Information supplied by: Town Clerk's office

The EDC meets the first Thursday of each month at 5 PM in the Town Hall. There is no meeting in July. Meetings are open to the public and we welcome your participation. Let us know your concerns and suggestions to help make Kennebunk a great place to live, raise a family and do business.

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Volume II Issue 3July 2018