South Portland Cape Elizabeth NextSentry

Tax hike - March 12, 2010

Sentry Editor — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:14:00 GMT

By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

Following two weeks of workshops that attracted input from hundreds of residents, the South Portland Board of Education voted unanimously in favor of a $37.8 million budget and a 1.5 percent increase in the city’s tax rate.

The South Portland City Council will vote on the budget April 26. The city’s residents will vote May 6 whether to validate it.

The fiscal year 2011 budget calls for a 1.5 percent increase in the tax rate to raise $506,623. This money would be used to seed a secondary school capital reserve fund. The fund would be used to pay debt service on renovations and additions to the middle schools and high school.

South Portland resident Tad Fitzgerald said he didn’t favor a tax increase. “We added 1.5 percent to put in the bank just in case we ever get a building we want to build. That seems fiscally irresponsible,” he said.

For a South Portland resident who owns a home with an assessed value of $200,000, the increase would add $26 to the resident’s annual property tax bill.

The board also voted 6-1 to endorse a $41.9 million plan presented by the Secondary Schools Facilities Committee to renovate the high school.

Board member Jerald McQueeney voted against the plan.

The high school renovation project was approved but the board made no decision about funding it.

The plan is a scaled-down version of a $51 million proposal defeated by South Portland voters in 2007.

The proposed budget cuts 25 positions, the middle school football program, and closes Hamlin School, which will be transferred to the city for use as a planning office.

Hamlin School currently is being used as practice space for the high school robotics team. The team will be allowed to use the school’s gym for practice after the property is transferred to the city.

The addition of $622,000 in state funding and $1.9 million in Federal Stabilization Funds saved six positions, averted the outsourcing of custodial services, eliminated a pay to participate proposal, and staved off a middle school consolidation plan.

The board decided to use $1.2 million of surplus funds to balance the budget. That leaves a balance in the fund of $2.3 million.

Cost of the high school renovation was reduced this time around by eliminating an artificial field, second gym, four classrooms and cutting the overall size of the plan by 29,000 square feet, according to Kathy Germani, a member of the school facilities committee.

“The committee believes this is the right plan. It’s a plan that will meet the needs of the students and the community now and in the future,” Germani said.

After a three-hour discussion, board members elected to deal with the funding issue separately from the building plan.

“I believe we need to say this is the right plan for the high school,” said Board Chairman Rick Carter. “We need to stop talking this to death and move forward.”

McQueeney disagreed.

“I would look at a budget and then build a plan to fit into that budget. I think we need to have the budgeted money set aside before we approve a plan,” he said.

Ward said it was too late to put a funding referendum on the ballot for June and some board members indicated an interest in going with a November referendum.

The board will poll South Portland residents before making a decision about putting the funding question out to voters.

School Superintendent Suzanne Godin said a communication sub-committee was schedule to meet Thursday to start working on a poll.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext.237 or news@inthesentry.com.

Tax hike - March 12, 2010

Sentry Editor — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:14:00 GMT

By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

The South Portland City Council will vote on the budget April 26. The city’s residents will vote May 6 whether to validate it.

For a South Portland resident who owns a home with an assessed value of $200,000, the increase would add $26 to the resident’s annual property tax bill.

The board also voted 6-1 to endorse a $41.9 million plan presented by the Secondary Schools Facilities Committee to renovate the high school.

Board member Jerald McQueeney voted against the plan.

The high school renovation project was approved but the board made no decision about funding it.

The plan is a scaled-down version of a $51 million proposal defeated by South Portland voters in 2007.

The proposed budget cuts 25 positions, the middle school football program, and closes Hamlin School, which will be transferred to the city for use as a planning office.

The board decided to use $1.2 million of surplus funds to balance the budget. That leaves a balance in the fund of $2.3 million.

“The committee believes this is the right plan. It’s a plan that will meet the needs of the students and the community now and in the future,” Germani said.

After a three-hour discussion, board members elected to deal with the funding issue separately from the building plan.

“I believe we need to say this is the right plan for the high school,” said Board Chairman Rick Carter. “We need to stop talking this to death and move forward.”

McQueeney disagreed.

“I would look at a budget and then build a plan to fit into that budget. I think we need to have the budgeted money set aside before we approve a plan,” he said.

Ward said it was too late to put a funding referendum on the ballot for June and some board members indicated an interest in going with a November referendum.

The board will poll South Portland residents before making a decision about putting the funding question out to voters.

School Superintendent Suzanne Godin said a communication sub-committee was schedule to meet Thursday to start working on a poll.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext.237 or news@inthesentry.com.

Seawolves on the rise - March 12, 2010

Sentry Editor — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:13:00 GMT

By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

A loss is still a win in the eyes of Southern Maine Community College’s lady Seawolves.

While the college basketball team fell short of a national title last week, it’s the third time the team has been to the competition during its seven-year history.

Only 12 teams qualified for the tournament, which featured colleges from throughout the United States. It was the second time in three years SMCC advanced to national playoffs. SMCC also played in the national tournament in 2006.

“There’s a lot of competition out there. We got to play some great teams. We weren’t so lucky but it was still a lot of fun,” said Rachel Del Camp, South Portland resident and sophomore at SMCC.

Del Camp, 21, said she has had many great experiences on the basketball court, but said none of them top when she got to play in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Basketball Tournament with her college teammates and their third-year coach, Becky Roak.

While the team lost in the tournament, the 5-foot, 11-inch sophomore called the experience, “eye-opening.”

“The feeling is indescribable when you accomplish something like that,” Del Camp said. “It was a goal we all wanted to obtain. It was like icing on the cake. You can’t get much better than that.”

Del Camp, a graduate of Catherine McAuley High School in Portland, said she’s played basketball her entire life.

“(The tournament) was so different. It was great to go out there and compete. We have a lot of team chemistry.”

The Seawolves played two games in the tournament, which was hosted by Penn State University in Fayette, Pa., and lost both to bigger, faster, more athletic opponents, Roak said.

Roak grew up in Portland and played basketball for Portland High School. Before coming to SMCC, Roak served for one year as head coach of the women’s basketball team at the University of Maine at Machias.

She began her coaching career by working as assistant coach for women’s basketball at Chowan College in North Carolina, a position she held for three years.

“She’s a tremendous coach,” Del Camp said. “She’s so positive. She put it all together for us. She’s great.”

SMCC has had many successful men’s sports teams since the college opened in 1946, but it did not sponsor women’s athletic teams consistently until the arrival of Athletic Director Matt Richards in 2003.

Richards has spent the last seven years developing the women’s athletic program at SMCC.

“When I got the job, one of my tasks was to give women’s athletics some emphasis,” Richards said.

“Basketball was one of the sports that we got up off the ground. Since then, it’s been outstanding. They’ve been competitive right off the bat. It’s great for our college to have a strong women’s athletic program along with a strong men’s athletic program,” he said.

Entering the tournament as the 11^th seed, SMCC lost to No. 6-ranked Indiana University Northwest in the first round by a score of 77-27. Playing in the consolation bracket the next day, the Seawolves were beaten by Saint Mary of the Woods, another Indiana school. The final score was 51-26.

“We were outmatched,” Roak said. “The girls fought hard. They competed until the end but we came up short. We go out there and try our hardest. It’s really about the experience.”

SMCC qualified for the tournament by winning the Yankee Small College Conference Championship. In the conference final, the Seawolves beat rival Central Maine Community College 59-47.

Del Camp was named Most Valuable Player for the tournament and she was selected as Player of the Year for the conference.

“She brought in the hardware,” Roak said. “She had a great season for us.”

Overall, the Seawolves finished the season with a 17-10 record.

“The thing I would characterize about this team is the growth they had from start to finish,” Richards said. “They started out a little shaky. After Christmas break, they came back and played very well.”

Roak said the team accomplished some “big” wins this season that she called a “big boost” for the program.

“We embody the word team. Our teamwork is what ended up making us successful,” Roak said.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.

Motel damage estimates still unknown - March 12, 2010

Sentry Editor — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:10:00 GMT

By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

The owner of a South Portland motel damaged by fire last week is still unsure how much it will cost to repair damage to a large portion of his building.

Firefighters from South Portland, Portland and Scarborough responded March 4 to a two-alarm fire at the Knights Inn motel located at 634 Main St.

Eight years ago, the same property, then called the Budget Inn, suffered a fire that was even worse, according to Kenny Patel, who has owned the motel for 10 years.

Last week’s fire was started when a propane heater exploded in the room occupied by David Jauchius, 60. He was taken to a Portland hospital with burns to his face and arms, according to a press release from Steve McCausland of the Maine Department of Public Safety.

The room was heated by a hot water baseboard but Jauchius was using the propane heater as his main heating source, McCausland said.

Patel said Jauchius was violating motel policy by having his own heater in the room.

“We provide heat,” Patel said. “He was not supposed to have that (heater),” he said.

Investigators found two, 20-pound propane tanks and 123 small disposable propane tanks in the room. Most of the small tanks were empty, McCausland said.

Patel said staff members didn’t know about the heater in Jauchius’ room because he was a long-term tenant who did not take room service. Jauchius lived at the motel for eight to 10 months, Patel said.

One other tenant was treated for non-life threatening injuries at the scene and released, according to Lt. Robb Couture of the South Portland Fire Department.

Jauchius was released from the hospital Saturday and is now living at another motel in the greater Portland area, Patel said.

Jauchius wouldn’t comment on the incident.

The fire gutted Jauchius’ room and five other rooms. The motel’s roof also suffered severe damage, according to McCausland.

Patel said he is now working with his insurance company to determine how much repairs will cost.

“I don’t know how much it will cost,” said Patel, adding that he didn’t intend to seek legal action against Jauchius because the man “had nothing.”

Couture speculated the incident would cause “fairly significant dollar loss.”

Two holes were visible in the roof – one caused by flames shooting through the roof and another firefighters made to make sure fire had not spread throughout the complex from inside the roof.

“The roof burned completely off,” Couture said. “Once it’s (fire) up into the roof, it’s hard to chase. (Firefighters) cut away from the fire to make sure the fire hasn’t gone past them.”

The motel is divided into two sections. The burned section has 13 rooms. Nine of the rooms were occupied at the time of the fire, Patel said.

All of the displaced tenants were moved to the section that was not damaged by the fire.

Drivers were forced to seek alternate routes because the fire required Route 1, between the Maine Turnpike Spur and Aspen Avenue to be shut down for two hours, according to South Portland police.

Patel estimated it would be about six months before he could reopen the burned section. With the tourist season coming on, Patel said his income would be limited because he now has fewer rooms to rent.

The initial call came into the South Portland Fire Department at 9:34 a.m., according to Couture. Twelve South Portland firefighters responded and found heavy fire and smoke damage. They quickly realized they needed more help.

Portland and Scarborough sent trucks and firefighters to the scene. All three South Portland fire stations responded and two volunteer companies in South Portland provided reinforcements.

“We have good mutual aid agreements with all the surrounding communities,” Couture said. “It’s a benefit to have those guys come in and back us up.”

Three State Fire Marshal investigators worked with South Portland police and fire officials to determine the cause of the fire.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.

Mock oil spill on Casco Bay will involve hundreds - March 12, 2010

Sentry Editor — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:08:00 GMT

By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

South Portland and Cape Elizabeth residents will awaken to lots of unusual activity in Casco Bay on March 24 and 25.

Starting at 7 a.m. on both days, the U.S. Coast Guard base in South Portland will host the nation’s largest oil spill exercise.

“The role of the local base will be to coordinate response activities in the port and offshore,” said Coast Guard Lt. Commander David Sherry. “We’ll be working with state and industry partners as primary responders in the field and in the command post.”

Called Spill of National Significance, or SONS for short, the drill will involve more than 1,000 participants from the Coast Guard and many public and private partners including Shell Oil Products, the Environmental Protection Agency, Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Marine Spill Response Corp.

SONS 2010 also will involve a variety of land and sea resources including booms, trailers, barges skimmers and cutters.

“It’s kind of like the Super Bowl of pollution exercises. That’s how we like to say it,” said Coast Guard Lt. Lisa Ceraolo.

The purpose of the exercise is to test coordination of federal, state, local and private sector resources to contain and clean up the discharge caused by a severe oil spill.

In 1996, Casco Bay experienced a major oil spill when the tanker Julie N rammed into the “Million Dollar Bridge” that used to connect South Portland and Portland. The ship spilled thousands of gallons of oil that fouled the Fore River and did extensive damage to the environment and waterfront properties in both cities.

The South Portland Coast Guard base was heavily involved in the investigation, containment and cleanup operations of that accident.

Much of the on-the-water activity later this month will be centered on Anchorage A near Fort Gorges, said James McPherson, Coast Guard captain of the port. McPherson said the exercise will have no impact on regular maritime traffic in Casco Bay. Much of the activity will be visible from the Eastern Promenade, McPherson said.

Participants will be tested on their ability to deal with the scenario of a collision 15 miles east of Portland Head Light between an oil tanker and a car carrier. The two ships break apart and the car carrier sinks in the middle of the ship’s channel, blocking maritime traffic into and out of Portland Harbor.

The simulated collision, occurring in a strong winter storm, results in a major spill of 3 million gallons of oil that causes numerous economic, environmental and political challenges.

SONS is held every three years. This is the first time it’s been done in Maine. The last time it was held on the East Coast was 12 years ago.

The entire plan was laid out for the general public at an open house March 4 at Ocean Gateway Terminal in Portland.

“This exercise should scare us. It’s a reminder that it can happen here. The only way we’re going to get through real world spills is if we prepare,” said Casco Baykeeper Joe Payne.

He was one of the speakers at the open house and is in charge of coordinating volunteers for SONS 2010. Payne works for the Friends of Casco Bay, which is located at Southern Maine Community College.

“The most important thing is it shows the capabilities and protection we really do have,” said South Portland Waterfront Director Tom Myers, who also attended the open house.

“These kinds of scenarios are so unlikely in today’s environment to occur. But if they do it shows how well-prepared and organized the responses are,” Myers said.

South Portland has several terminals, including Portland Pipeline, Sprague Energy, Gulf Oil and Irving Oil that receive hazardous materials by sea and land. These materials include crude oil, home heating oil, jet fuel and gasoline.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.

Paving the way - March 5, 2010

Sentry Editor — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:24:00 GMT

By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

South Portland residents will have a chance in May to weigh in on discontinuance of a city road that could make room for a new shopping center.

The city council voted unanimously Monday to hold a public hearing May 3 to consider the discontinuance of Gorham Road Extension.

If approved, the action would complete a purchase and sale agreement between the city and developer Vincent Maietta.

Maietta bought the property from the city at 85 Western Ave. in 2006. When Maietta bought it the city agreed to discontinue the road.

Completion of the agreement was held up by costs associated with the relocation of utility services, a weakend economy and the attainment of permits from the Department of Environmental Protection, according to South Portland City Manager Jim Gailey.

The 63,162-square-foot lot is located on a triangle of land near the entrance to Redbank Village and is bounded by Western Avenue, Gorham Road and Westbrook Street.

Maietta hopes to develop a shopping center on the site that might attract such tenants as Subway, Buffalo Wild Wings, FedEx, Kinkos, Hallmark and Radio Shack.

The original agreement stipulated the city would discontinue 600 feet of Gorham Road Extension.

In February the planning board voted 6-0 to approve discontinuance of 838 feet of Gorham Road Extension.

Assistant City Manager Erik Carson said the planning board recommended the extra 238 feet so the city would not be responsible for plowing and maintaining any part of the street.

By Maine statute, the city is required to notify all abutting property owners before a public street can be discontinued. While the street has only five abutters, several councilors wanted to notify more residents.

The neighborhood is densely populated by tenants in nearby complexes that include Redbank Village, Olde English Village, Liberty Commons and Brickhill.

City Manager Jim Gailey agreed to put an ad in a local newspaper and post notices at group mailboxes and bulletin boards throughout apartment complexes in the neighborhood.

In a related matter, the council voted 7-0 in a first reading to change the property’s zoning.

The ordinance would change Maietta’s property from a transitional central and regional commercial district to a limited business zone.

The extension discontinuation and rezoning will allow Maietta to add more parking spaces to the front and rear of the property. Maietta said at a workshop last month that more parking would make it easier for him to market the shopping center to potential retailers.

The council’s final action on the zoning change is scheduled for March 15. The planning board will make its final decision March 16. If everything goes as planned, the shopping center is expected to be finished sometime this fall, according Carson.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.

Compromise on the table - March 5, 2010

Sentry Editor — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:23:00 GMT

By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

A bill that allows using automated license plate recognition systems under certain conditions won approval last week from the Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee.

South Portland currently is the only police department in Maine that uses the technology. The system, installed in one cruiser, includes three cameras mounted atop the vehicle that can photograph license plates and compare them to plate numbers on an established “hot list” from local, state and national databases.

The system immediately alerts an officer if it finds a license plate matched to wanted persons, Amber alerts or stolen vehicles.

Sen. Larry Bliss (D-South Portland, Cape Elizabeth), who testified before the committee Feb. 5, said a study group will spend the next year creating parameters for use of the technology and developing rules for safety of data the system collects.

He also said South Portland’s use of the technology will be watched as a pilot program. Other municipalities will not be barred from purchasing similar technologies.

Data collected by the ALPR system must be purged after 21 days, according to the amendment.

Lt. Frank Clark of the South Portland Police Department alerted Bliss to a “significant problem in the final version of the bill,” Bliss said.

Bliss said the committee added some language that appeared to only require the technology be used if police have “reasonable and articulable. suspicion” about the vehicle.

“This prohibits the use of the technology to search for victims of domestic abuse, Alzheimer’s patients…or other non-criminal circumstances,” Bliss wrote.

Clark said his department objects to the phrase “reasonable and articulable suspicion.”

“It makes it ambiguous as to when we may and may not be able to enter information into the system,” Clark said. “The language is unclear. They’re really imposing a higher standard which is reducing the ability of this system to make us more effective and efficient.”

The primary purpose of the ALPR system is to increase public safety and officer safety, Clark said.

Bliss also said he will try to amend the bill when it reaches the floor of the Senate if the Transportation Committee does not change it.

The committee did not make any changes to the bill as amended at its last meeting on Tuesday, March 2, according to Legislative Aide Michael Dunn. It was referred to the Reviser’s Office to make sure it’s in technical legal form. Once the bill comes back to the committee, it will be voted out to the Senate with an “ought to pass” recommendation by a 12-1 majority, Dunn said. The deadline for all bills to come out of committee is March 11.

The Maine Civil Liberties Union initially supported a total ban of license plate recognition systems in the state. In a press release, the MCLU signaled its acceptance of the compromise.

“We are encouraged to see clear limits placed on the use of this powerful technology and restrictions on how long data on law-abiding citizens may be kept. While this compromise does not go as far as the MCLU had originally hoped it would, the committee deserves praise for its careful consideration of the competing values,” said Shenna Bellows, executive director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237, or news@inthesentry.com.

Cape to consider three budget proposals - March 5, 2010

Sentry Editor — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:21:00 GMT

By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

The Cape Elizabeth School Board has broken tradition this year and will consider three proposals for its annual budget instead of the traditional one.

The board in a 5-2 vote last week asked Superintendent Alan Hawkins to produce the different proposals and show how each would impact taxpayers and schools.

The first budget would be based on no increase in taxes; the second would have no cuts in positions, programs or services; and the third would assume a 50-50 split between raising taxes and making cuts.

Board members also asked Hawkins to include a list of school improvements, including adding a gifted and talented program and other ideas citizens suggested during a public forum last December.

Vice Chairman Katherine Ray and board member Linda Winker voted against the motion to produce three proposed budgets.

Ray said in the past the board would receive one budget and then make additions or deletions.

“I’m comfortable with the way we’ve done it in the past,” said Ray, a board member for six years.

At the start of the workshop, Hawkins told the board he and his staff needed guidance to write the budget for fiscal year 2011, which begins July 1. He reminded the board that time was short and urged them to make a decision quickly.

“I came to this budget hearing tonight to talk to you about where you want me to go,” Hawkins said. “I need to get a sense of what you want so I’ll know what kind of budget to bring in. We are on a very tight timeline.”

Board member Mary Townsend said she feared a repeat of two years ago when it took three citizen referendums to approve the school budget.

“I think we need at least two or three budgets. I don’t want to spend all summer re-voting. The upfront work has to be done so that we don’t continue on into the summer,” she said.

Winker sided with Ray and said the superintendent and his staff have done their due diligence.

“I find it difficult to ask (Hawkins) to sit down and create three or four scenarios to look at. I find it very unrealistic,” Winker said.

“I would find it very useful to have three scenarios,” Millett said. “I don’t think the time frame is unrealistic.”

The board will vote on the budget April 13. The town council will vote on it May 25 and the school budget validation vote by Cape Elizabeth residents is scheduled for June 8.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337 ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.

South Portland could close schools to save money - March 5, 2010

Sentry Editor — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:20:00 GMT

By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

Eliminating 31 jobs, outsourcing custodial services and consolidating to one middle school are some steps needed to offset a projected deficit of $2.6 million in next year’s school budget, according to South Portland Superintendent Suzanne Godin.

Godin made the recommendations last week at the first of six forums to gather public input on the budget. A large audience, including many school employees, attended the meeting at Memorial Middle School.

The school district’s fiscal year 2011 budget of $39.4 million is $51,203 less than last year’s budget. Budget projections are based on the assumption South Portland will not increase property taxes next year, according to Godin’s report.

“We have been directed by the city council to come up with a zero-based budget,” Godin said. “There are no easy answers.”

“I think zero is irresponsible,” said Board Vice Chairman Ralph Baxter. “We have to consider lobbying the council. This isn’t where I want to be. I’m not going to be satisfied without exploring what’s best for the students.”

Under this plan, a private contractor would be hired to provide custodial service in schools and students would be required to pay to participate in athletic programs and co-curricular activities. South Portland students currently do not pay to participate in athletic programs or co-curricular activities.

If the budget is approved, Mahoney Middle School would be closed in fall 2011 and the district would consolidate to one middle school. All Mahoney students would be transferred to Memorial. Godin said up to 12 portable classrooms at Memorial would accommodate additional students.

The consolidation is projected to save $889,009. It’s not certain what would happen to the building and grounds if Mahoney is closed.

“The city had expressed interest in using this as a city building,” Godin said. “We would need to move the central office spaces from Memorial so that would be another proposal we would look at. That’s why we’re looking at spending a year studying all of that.”

Severe declines in school revenues and state subsidies are primary causes of the deficit, according to Godin’s report. Overall revenue is projected to drop from $50,000 to $18,000 and the state’s subsidy is estimated to decline from $3.4 million to $1.1 million.

Godin’s budget proposal includes $767,454 of reductions that also include closing Hamlin School at the end of this school year. She said the school would be transferred to the city and be used as office space by the planning and development department, which currently rents space on E Street. This move would save the school system $82,879, according to budget projections.

Other proposed reductions would eliminate the middle school football program and cut 31 positions from counselors to clerks to teachers. Two of these positions, special education technicians, are currently vacant.

Middle school football players would be encouraged to participate in an existing community league that is privately funded, according to Godin.

The budget also would use $1.2 million of surplus funds from the school department’s account to help offset decreased revenues. A surplus of $2.3 million would still be available for the fiscal year 2012 budget.

Board Chairman Rick Carter said it’s the school board’s responsibility to provide the best education it can for students.

“I’m going to have a hard time supporting a budget that has this kind of impact on the kids,” he said.

The board will vote on the budget Monday, and the South Portland City Council will vote on it April 26. South Portland residents will vote May 6 whether to validate the budget.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.

City planner turns tide on FEMA rules - March 5, 2010

Sentry Editor — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:18:00 GMT

By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

An old saying claims you can’t fight city hall, but Tex Haeuser, South Portland’s planning director, claims you can.

Speaking Feb. 18 to Willard Neighborhood Association members, Haeuser said South Portland and Portland have together won a temporary victory over the Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding flood plain maps.

“We’ve challenged them. They’ve backed off,” he told an audience at the Betsy Ross House.

Haeuser’s presentation focused on new FEMA regulations that affect local flood plain designations. He said FEMA’s new digital maps last year designated the coastline from Willard Beach to Bug Light a Velocity Zone (V Zone) in a flood-hazard area. V Zones are defined as areas that have a 1 percent chance of flooding each year, Haeuser said.

Under these new regulations, Portland’s central waterfront on the Fore River would be designated a V Zone. Portland business owners and residents in that area have filed only $40,000 to $50,000 worth of flood insurance claims through FEMA, Haeuser said.

He said new maps would hurt the local economy because they would prevent businesses from building or rebuilding in the V Zone. Residents living in that area also would have to pay much higher rates for flood insurance.

“We’re not in a flood plain. We have flood insurance. It’s a separate policy from your homeowner’s policy and it costs less money if you’re not in a flood zone,” said South Portland resident Devon Gray.

After unveiling these new maps, FEMA gave both cities 90 days to appeal its decision. The Portland-South Portland appeal was temporarily approved pending further study. The two cities have hired geologist Robert Gerber to challenge FEMA’s data.

Haeuser said he is confident in Gerber’s ability to permanently turn the tide in favor of Portland and South Portland.

“(FEMA) spent a lot of money hiring national engineering firms. I think our local guy is doing better,” Haeuser said.

“We’re going to submit this Gerber report. We think it will be effective and we think FEMA will change their maps,” he said.

Haeuser said it will cost South Portland about $4,000 to appeal FEMA’s decision. South Portland’s cost is relatively low because it is splitting expenses with Portland, said City Councilor Maxine Beecher, who was in the audience.

Rep. Terry Morrison (D-South Portland) said he was impressed by Haeuser’s efforts to defeat FEMA’s plan.

“Tex is working hard in South Portland to protect us and I appreciate it,” Morrison said.