Windham town councilors discussed ethics, outdoor recreation and upgraded paramedic technology at a workshop on Tuesday night.
Phantom of the ethics board
Wondering if Windham’s ethics board still existed, councilors asked two former members, Louise Beal and Ruth Bedient, to shed light on the issue.
The two women said the ethics board hadn’t met in more than a year. In that time, both Beal and Bedient received only a few phone calls and/or letters raising ethics complaints.
In the past, the ethics board has never formally held an ethics hearing. And, having received no legal counsel on the matter, both board members told the councilors they wouldn’t know what to do or how to proceed with such a hearing.
Councilors resolved to have Town Attorney Kenneth Cole instruct the ethics board on protocol and the legal proceedings of an ethics hearing.
“Just because we haven’t needed an ethics committee in the past doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have one,” said Councilor David Tobin.
Since all three positions of the board expired this year, the Town Council may be asked to appointed new members. Both Beal and Bedient offered to continue serving on the board.
A talking heart monitor? Rescue makes upgrade to top tech
Windham fire and rescue will replace two old heart monitors and defribrillators with a new device that combines the technologies: Lifepak 12.
This top technology interprets the amount of voltage needed to jolt a stopped heart or a heart that has lapsed into lethal rhythm, said Windham paramedic Shane Taylor.
If no shock is needed, the Lifepak 12 will not allow you to shock the person unless a trained paramedic switches it to manual mode. On automatic mode, the device guides paramedics, in its robot voice, on what steps to take in performing defribrillation on a patient.
Lifepak 12 also measures heart rate and respiratory function, shown on an external electronic screen, and has a longer battery life than the old Lifepak 11’s that the rescue team uses now. Those Lifepak 11’s are now 10 years old and will soon become an outdated technology.
The total cost of the upgrade to Lifepak 12 is $33,500, including a trade-in of $1,000 per Lifepak 11. This includes two devices, two battery chargers and two Lifepak holders to secure the new devices in emergency vehicles. The Lifepak 12’s will be paid for using money from the 2005-2006 budget.
Parks and Rec gathers input, looks to future community park
The results are in on what Windham residents want for new recreation activities and programs in town.
During recent community forums hosted by the Parks and Rec Department, residents were asked to brainstorm new ideas for outdoor recreation in town.
These forums were conducted to gather input on a proposal to expand the Windham Skate Park on Route 202 into an all-ages community park.
When asked what residents would like included in the proposed community park, they suggested a walking path, playground, basketball courts, ball fields, a gazebo or outdoor pavilion and many other ideas.
Looking at the overall issue of outdoor recreation in town, residents advocated for access to Sebago Lake, a network of bike trails, continued purchase of land for preservation, a community center and more senior programs.
Parks and RecreationDirector Brian Ross plans to address the funding for the new community park in upcoming budget discussions with the council.
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