What's New

Please send info for 'What's New' and for the events calendar to webmaster@lovellmaine.us

Note the Color-Coded Calendar! This is how it works: each organization in Town has its own color background for all of their events. So far, this is what it looks like:

Town Government Light yellow
Library Blue
Historical Society Forest Green
Lovell United Church of Christ Peach
General Town Events Light Red
Kezar Lake Watershed Association (KLWA) Teal
Lovell Recreation Department Light Olive
Brick Church for the Performing Arts Light Purple
Kezar Trailbreakers Snowmobile Club Light Grey
Greater Lovell Land Trust Khaki

Posted March 24, 2012:

ICE-OUT on Kezar!! March 23, 2012! Almost a month earlier than usual...

The water is dancing with relief after having been imprisoned under ice all winter!

Posted March 11, 2012:

Town Meeting, Saturday March 3, 2012

It was one week ago that the Town of Lovell held its 212th Annual Town Meeting! In a form that has not been changed since its inception, there were 97 Articles voted on in the course of the meeting. There was standing room only in the old building, sitting on its new foundation. There was one rather startling settling 'CRACK!' underfoot, but otherwise the building was solid. Town Clerk Sherry Bois read the Warrant, and in the 1st Article, Jon Bliss was elected Moderator. Janice Arsenault was elected the Tax/Excise Collector for a term of 3 years. A contest for Road Commissioner between candidates Jason Wentworth and incumbent Larry Fox led to the call for a written ballot. Out of 189 ballots cast (with 3 blank), Larry was declared the winner with 144 votes. Bob Drew was reelected Selectman for a term of 3 years. Articles 7-10 called for an upcoming revision, effective in 2013, of the methods of hiring of the Office of Public Works Commissioner, the Town Clerk/Treasurer, the Tax Collector/Excise Tax Collector and Building Inspector from "'elected by the voters" to "hired/appointed by the Selectmen". The assembly voted to insert "by a hiring committee of at least 5", who would read submitted resumes of all candidates, conduct background checks, and interview final candidates. This would assure these positions are filled by candidates with necessary technological skills, and is in line with the trend throughout the State of Maine.

Article 88 (to see what sum of money the town would raise and/or appropriate for Camp Susan Curtis) resulted in considerable discussion. There was confusion about the 'Camperships' given by the Coservation Committee which are dedicated for use by Lovell youths at the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond. They cannot be used for Camp Susan Curtis. The end result was that the Town voted to raise $2,000 in support of Camp Susan Curtis.

All elected positions have been updated on the list of committees in the drop-down menu 'Officers/Committees' on this web site.

The meeting was conducted in a very civil manner, and we came in under the LD 1. The municipal budget approved by the voters did NOT result in a tax commitment was greater than the property tax levy limit, defined by LD 1. The meeting was adjourned about 12:40 p.m. Following the meeting, participants were invited to view the old Town Safe, open for the occasion. Also, Larry Fox opened the new basement by way of the newly installed bulkhead. There are LOTS of supports for the old building!

What Is LD 1?
In January 2005, Governor John E. Baldacci signed into law LD 1. It is an effort to keep government spending in check and establishes a goal to lower Maine’s tax burden. It also increases the State’s share of education funding.

Posted March 5, 2012:

The Annual Reports for the years 2010 and 2011 are posted HERE.

Posted March 4, 2012:

New posting of 2011 Water Quality Report for Kezar Lake + 6 Ponds + tributaries (Great Brook and Boulder Brook) on the Town Website (under 'Documents') HERE.

Posted February 23, 2012:

1) View from Flat Hill, and 2) Wetlands between Heald and Bradley Ponds. February 19, 2012. Courtesy of Jeanne Ouellette.

Posted January 16, 2012:

The 2011 Water Quality Report for Kezar Lake and the Six Ponds within the Kezar Lake Watershed is posted on the KLWA Website, HERE. Open the KLWA website on the page, to be directed to the Water Quality Reports .This sentence bears lifting up for all to see: "Kezar Lake remains one of Maine’s cleanest and clearest lakes with above average water quality and clarity." This is by no accident! Many organizations in town work very hard to protect the watershed, and the lakes and ponds. If you have not joined in the effort, please consider doing so! How?? The Greater Lovell Land Trust, the Kezar Lake Watershed Association, and the Lovell Invasive Plant Prevention Committee (known as LIPPC) are all involved. Visit their websites to find out what each is doing!

Posted November 16, 2011:

Completed Invasive Aquatic Plant Screening Surveys HERE.

Posted November 3, 2011:

SPECIAL MEETING OF PLANNING BOARD!!

When: Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at 3:00 p.m.

Where: 413 West Lovell Road

Why: To review site for possible relocation of principle structure.

Ed Ryan, Chair, Lovell Planning Board

Posted June 15, 2011:

There were 47 Lovell residents who attended the Special Town Meeting (below). All proposed ordinances were approved, as written. There was a request for a paper ballot on the issue of the use of money resulting from taxes of taken out of tree growth. There were 47 ballots cast. Of these, 28 votes approved of the changes as made in the Warrant, while 19 voted against them. The motion to approve thus was carried.

Posted June 8, 2011:

NOTICE OF SPECIAL TOWN MEETING:

The Lovell Planning Board will conduct a public hearing on revised proposed amendments to the town ordinance governing town beaches and town landings, and the waste treatment facility. The Hearing will be held at the Old Town Hall on Tuesday, June 14, 2011, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Warrant: HERE

Note: The Warrant includes far more than the revisions published below. Please read it carefully and plan to attend!!

Published Notice: HERE

Revisions include the following:

• Conditional Use Permit (Article 2)
• Sign Requirements Ordinance (Article 3)
• Clarification of Planning Board Voting (Article 4)
• Town Beaches and Town Landings (Article 5)
• Solid Waste Management (Article 6)

Copies of the Warrant, the Published Notice, and the drafts of these proposals are available at the Town Office, and are now on the Town web site as well, HERE.

Interested persons should plan to attend this hearing or submit written comments to the Planning Board, PO Box 236, Center Lovell, ME 04016 in advance of the hearing.

Posted June 6,2011:

The schedule for Lovell Recreation Department Programs is posted HERE. Classes are offered in Beginning Archery, Swimming, Tennis, Soccer, Fly Fishing, Sandlot Baseball, Horsemanship and Track & Field. Mountain Road Bike Treks of 30 min. to 1 hour will be offered as well.

Posted May 30, 2011 (Memorial Day):

A crowd of about 50 gathered at the Veterans' Memorial in Lovell Village at 10:30 a.m to pay tribute to our Armed Forces. Devin LaCasce honored them, and us, with a beautiful clear rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner", and her Dad, Brent LaCasce, played Taps at the conclusion of the ceremony. Members of the Lovell-Fryeburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6783 formed the Honor Guard. A moving speech was given by Norma King, whose husband Richard served in the Navy during WW II, and Joe Moody read a poem of remembrance.

Posted May 23, 2011:

The Lovell Planning Board will conduct a public hearing on revised proposed amendments to the town ordinance governing town beaches and town landings, and the waste treatment facility. The Hearing will be held at the Town Office on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, starting at 7:00 p.m.

The beach ordinance has been revised to allow landing and launching watercraft at the beaches.

The waste treatment facility ordinance has been revised to clarify the authority of the selectmen over the facility, and to prohibit deposits of waste not originating in Lovell or a town contracting with Lovell for use of the facility.

Copies of these proposals are available at the Town Office, and will be on the web site as well, HERE.

Interested persons should plan to attend this hearing or submit written comments to the Planning Board, PO Box 236, Center Lovell, ME 04016 in advance of the hearing.

Posted May 16, 2011:

Vital Signs, a program within the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, has a link in their site (HERE) to the Eyes on the Water initiative. Word of this exciting program is spreading! On the Vital Signs page you will find an outline of the procedure to use when you 'keep your eyes on the water', and the steps to take if you think you've found something important. The local summer programs planned for this collaboration between the Town of Lovell's Invasive Plant Prevention Committee (LIPPC) and the Kezar Lake Watershed Association (KLWA) are posted.

Posted May 4, 2011:

The Lovell Invasive Plant Prevention Committee (LIPPC) and Kezar Lake Watershed Association (KLWA) Education Committees are very excited to announce the publishing of their brand-new Eyes on the Water Invasive Aquatic Plant Species ID booklet. You can pick up your free copy of this laminated book at the Lovell Town Office. We are requesting donations, as we head into a 2nd printing. We hope, quite literally, to "flood the watershed" with this booklet. Early detection of invasive aquatic plants is critical, so thank you, in advance, for keeping your eyes on the water!

Posted March 14, 2011:

New Courtesy Boat Inspector Announced!

The search team and interview team are pleased to announce that the Lovell Invasive Plant Protection Committee has hired Mr. Martin Prox to fill the position of Courtesy Boat Inspection Program Coordinator.   Marty is a resident of Denmark Maine and is a retiree of United Airlines with almost 30 years of dedicated experience.   He is an avid outdoorsman, especially fishing and pleasure boating and is keenly aware of the dangers presented by invasive and non-native species of plants and animals.   The team is very happy to have Marty join our LIPPC team.    

Lucy LaCasse
Ed Poliquin
Tom Hughes
Gene Spender

Posted February 1, 2011

The Lovell Invasive Plant Prevention Committee (LIPPC, pronounced 'lippick' when you hear someone talking about it...), has been rejuvenated. The health of the watershed depends on all of us working together. Keep abreast of happenings HERE. Volunteer to help when you're asked, HERE, or even when you've not been asked, please!

REMINDER (Click on highlighted word ['HERE'] to be directed to the proper page):

• Selectmen's Minutes are posted HERE (generally Wednesday), following the weekly Tuesday night meeting. The posted minutes are for the approved previous week's minutes.

• Planning Board Minutes are posted HERE following its monthly Wednesday night meeting (1st Wednesday of the month). They are the approved minutes of the previous month's meeting.

• Lovell Rec Minutes are posted HERE following its monthly meeting (2nd Thursday night). They are the approved minutes of the previous month's meeting.

Posted August 15, 2010

Library Dedication!!!
After years of planning, fund raising, more planning, more fund raising and finally construction, the newly-renovated Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library was dedicated today! On this perfectly beautiful day, the crowd (some estimated 250 people of all ages) gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Since children play such a vital role in the life of the library, it was the children who cut the ribbon, after appropriate remarks by Bob Williams, outgoing president of the board of trustees. The library was built originally in 1908, and served as the home of the Ladies Library Club of Lovell. It was renovated in 1976, but grew out of its space as a center for the communities of Lovell, Stow, Sweden and Chatham (NH). Over 500 donors made this dream a reality. Thank you each and every one!

Posted June 1, 2010
MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE:
The Lovell VFW held a Memorial Day observance at the monument in Lovell Village on Monday. The Rev. Bill Gardner read from scripture and gave a brief meditation, and the audience and Honor Guard stood at attention during the playing of Taps. Laurie Lusky laid the wreath at the base of the monument.

Posted March 6, 2010
REPORT OF TOWN MEETING:
There was Standing Room only at the 9:00 a.m. start of the Annual Town Meeting, which was held in the old Town Hall on March 6 (always the first Saturday in March). Jon Bliss was elected moderator. The second article was "to see if the Town will nominate and elect one member of the Board of Selectmen, Assessors and Overseers of the poor for a term of three (3) years". John ('Turf') Ramsden and Charlie Fowlie were nominated, and after a call for a paper ballot, with 137 votes cast, 'Turf' Ramsden was duly elected. Other officers elected were for the Planning Board, the Budget Committee and for the school board. For the latter (MSAD #72 Board of Directors), Martha Armington was elected to serve a one-year term, and Bob Steller was elected to serve a one-year alternate position. The other committee members are posted under "Officers and Committees". Of a total of 91 articles, only one was contended (Art. 30), which was ultimately passed with an amendment, upon the advice of the town's attorney, A. Kingman ("Buzz') Pratt. The Article, as amended (in boldface), reads: "To see if the Town will vote to allocate up to the first $5,000.00 of funds received from penalties assessed on properties removed from Tree Growth or Open Space status and then 50% over that to a Town Conservation Account for use in the purchase of conservation lands, promotion of conservation education, and conservation projects by the Town independently or in partnership with conservation organizations, and to add all funds previously allocated to the Town Conservation Account be deemed eligible for the uses set forth above. Balance forward: $65,793.14." The meeting adjourned about 12:20 p.m.

Posted February 18, 2010
Phenomenal skating on Kezar Lake! The lack of snow, cold temperatures and windy days have made perfect ice. Folks say it hasn't been like this in recent memory! Skaters are revelling in long skates from the Town Beach to the north end and back; hockey games off the Town Beach make for good memories!

From north end.. to Boulder Brook.. to Town Beach!!

Posted July 21, 2009
The Lovell Neighborhood Watch Program has a web site. Please check it out and get involved!

Posted April 15, 2009
The Building Committee for the proposed new Town Office met last night at a Public Forum, held at the Center Lovell Fire Station, to present plans and to hear comments about the proposed building. Plans are on view at the Town Office, and people are encourage to stop by, review them, and give feedback to members of the Building Committee. There will be another meeting scheduled, probably in the fall. Stay tuned...

Posted February 5, 2008
The town of Lovell's tax maps and tax information are on line and may be accessed at:

http://webmap.jws.com/lovell/

Please see Special Notices for other information