RAYMOND – The town of Raymond has received two proposals from private companies that would take over management of the town-owned Raymond Beach.
The beach, which is located on Route 302, was closed in 2010 due to high E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria counts. Since then, the town has worked with private entities that have maintained the beach in exchange for the ability to operate a business at the popular summer destination, the only free public beach on Sebago Lake. The contract would be good for five years, but could be terminated if the private entity is not conforming to the town’s requirements for keeping the beach clean.
The town hasn’t had much luck working with the two vendors who have attempted to run businesses at the beach. After a successful 2011 season, a floating cafe? owned by Jeff Pomeroy ran into issues in early 2012 with the structural integrity of the restaurant. After Pomeroy pulled out of the arrangement in frustration with state and town regulators, the town solicited new bids and entered into a contract with Joanne Alfiero of Windham, who operated a hot dog cart at the beach last summer. Alfiero didn’t renew for this year due to her busy work schedule.
As a result, the town put out a third request for proposals earlier this winter in hopes of finding a vendor for the coming summer.
Diane Monty, of Oxford, proposes to open a hot dog stand at the beach that would operate daily. Monty, who ran Monty’s of Maine coffee shop next to Pratt Abbott Cleaners in North Windham, operates a year-round hot dog stand at Tractor Supply in Oxford.
Monty, when contacted, said she was excited about adding a second hot dog venture. She said in addition to the hot dog stand, which is located in an enclosed trailer, she would rent out kayaks and canoes.
The second proposal was submitted by Mike Tarantino of Massachusetts. Tarantino operates large-scale parasailing operations and submitted a proposal that would introduce similar parasailing and boat rentals.
In an interview, Tarantino said he’s been in the water sports business since 1999 and for the last several years has operated parasailing and personal watercraft rental businesses in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Tarantino said a Raymond Beach location would operate from June 15 to Labor Day and feature a six-passenger parasailing boat. Jet Skis could be added for guided tours only, not for rental, he said. Banana boat rides could be offered, with six passengers at a time being towed by a Jet Ski. He also envisions introducing non-motorized water sports, including stand-up paddleboards and kayaks.
According to Danielle Loring, executive assistant to the town manager, Monty’s bid was incomplete when it arrived just before the deadline on Friday, Feb. 22. Tarantino’s bid arrived Tuesday, several days late. Loring said both bids would be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen, which has the final say in whether the late and incomplete bids qualify for review.
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