Cape voters  reject Fort Williams parking fees

Cape Elizabeth voters on Tuesday rejected 2,532 to 1,262 a pay/display parking fee system for Fort Williams Park.

The town council last February voted 5-2 in favor of the idea. Now the council will have to decide if it wants to reverse its decision in light of the non-binding referendum results.

In 2006, Cape residents defeated a similar measure 3,145 to 1,951.

If the council allows the ordinance to stand, Cape Elizabeth residents would have to pay $10 per year for a season pass while non-residents would pay $20 per year. Visitors in passenger vehicles would pay $5 per day if they did not want to buy a season pass.

The pay/display system would be effective April 1, 2011. Thereafter, parking fees would be charged every year between April 1 and Nov. 1.

Also on Tuesday, Cape Elizabeth voters approved the school budget validation referendum for a $20.6 million budget that goes into effect July 1.

Cape Elizabeth residents also voted in favor of extending the school budget validation referendum for three more years; 2,680 people voted in favor of the question while 924 voted against it.

New gazebo slated for Mill Creek Park

Visitors to Mill Creek Park in South Portland may have noticed something missing: the gazebo and bridge that have been fixtures in the park.

The gazebo was built in 1981 and the bridge was built around 1984.

A new gazebo is scheduled to be in place by the end of this month.

The bridge was removed because a structural engineer decided it no longer was safe. The city has not decided whether it will be replaced.

Uncommon Kitchen & Bath of South Portland was awarded a $65,000 bid last month to build the new gazebo, which is funded by a Community Development Block Grant.

The gazebo will include benches and decking made of western red cedar, a pine tongue-in-groove ceiling and cedar-shingled roof.

Painted metal railings will allow a 360-degree view and stairs will be built on three sides of the gazebo.

The building will be topped by a copper lantern-like cupola with a ball and spire reminiscent of Bug Light.

 “The millwork reflects design aspects of the nearby Mahoney (Middle) School and the South Portland Historical Society building, as well as the late 19th century character of the park,” wrote Karen Lewis, president of Uncommon Kitchen and Bath, in her proposal to the city council.

Cape recycling center issues new permits 

Cape Elizabeth Recycling Center is issuing new permits for residents.

The permits will be issued only at the center and proof of Cape Elizabeth residency is required. There is no charge for the permit.

New permits were last issued in 2005.

For more information, contact the public works department at 799-4151.