Feb. 8, 1989

Fred C. Wescott, the city councilor from Ward 3, is seriously considering seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor of Westbrook in November. If he won in the Democratic caucus, his opponent probably would be Mayor Philip D. Spiller, Republican, who confirmed recently that he will seek a fourth two-year term. For the first time in memory, Democrats failed to find a mayoral candidate in 1987, when Spiller won his third term. “I am weighing it in my mind,” said Wescott. “I’ve got to touch a few bases before I make a firm decision.”

Westbrook aldermen delayed a final decision Monday on the sale of the Warren parsonage after the city lawyer said it needs two separate votes. They voted 7-0 on first reading to sell it to Marland Wing and set the second vote for Feb. 20. Alderman Alexander Juniewicz said he had received a couple of critical phone calls about the sale since Saturday. A newspaper story reported that day that disappointed bidder Marie Rackley blamed an “old boys network” when aldermen voted 7-0 in committee Wednesday to accept Wing’s offer instead of hers. Wing wants to move the 1880 house to a 9-acre lot near the Westerly Winds golf range but on the other side of Cumberland Street. Rackley proposed to move the house to an acre she would buy from her parents on the Methodist Road.

The Gorham Planning Board has given preliminary approval to a 28-lot, single-family development on 70 acres at Queen Street and Libby Avenue, but they were not pleased about it. Almost all the board members raised objections to the plans for the development, called Shaker Lane, to use a cluster septic system for 11 of the 28 residences, but only two members voted against granting the approval at a Jan. 30 meeting. The project still needs state Department of Environmental Protection approval before it returns for final approval from the town.

Advertisement: Now open, Nit-Witz Cafe, 14 Cumberland St., in the Warren Block (formerly Mike & Sharon’s Steakhouse). New owners. New menu. Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch.

Events coming up will benefit two high school efforts. Students at Gorham High School will hold their annual Talent Show Feb. 16 in the high school gym. Proceeds will benefit Project Graduation and this year’s prom. An all-you-can-eat, make-your-own-sundae party will be held Feb. 12 at the Beano Hall, 884 Main St., Westbrook, sponsored by the Westbrook High School Music Booster. Proceeds will go toward the marching band’s trip to Disney World April 15.

Feb. 10, 1999

Mark J. Prescott, 36, remained in jail this week, charged with murder. Police and witnesses say he shot and killed Catherine Thims, 39, the bartender at Shooters Pub, Bridge Street, Westbrook, around midnight Saturday night. Prescott had bought one beer earlier, then was escorted out by Thims and two customers after he got angry when she wouldn’t serve him another. He’d been back at least once, breaking a side window with his fist. Police had stopped him nearby outside and charged with him criminal mischief for that but let him go. He later told police he went to his Main Street apartment and got his deer hunting rifle. Police say Prescott came through the bar’s back entrance and when he got to the end of that narrow corridor, turned to his right, raised the rifle and shot Thims in the side of the head as she served customers at the bar a few feet away. Funeral services for Thims, who had four children, were scheduled for Feb. 11.

The Westbrook City Council Transportation Committee voted this week to recommend a three-month trial of rush-hour limits on turning into the cross streets between Spring and Stroudwater streets. Local traffic (residents and people going to destinations in the neighborhood) would be exempted. The plan will go before the full council March 1.

Due to a shortage of volunteer firefighters, Gorham would not be adequately prepared to respond to calls at the American National Power natural gas plan that may be built off lower Main Street later this year, Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre told town councilors Tuesday. Councilors refereed the issue the its Personnel Committee. Discussion could center on a pay raise. Volunteer firefighters in Gorham receive $6 an hour. You could earn more working at Burger King, Lefebvre said. “We’re at a point now where this may affect operations. We are not at a crisis point yet, but we do need to be concerned and start planning,” he said.

The University of Southern Maine athletic department will hold a Girl Scout appreciation day Feb. 13 at the Costello Sports Complex in Gorham. It will include attendance at the USM women’s basketball game against Rhode Island College and activities such as basketball, field hockey, soccer, aerobics and cheering.

Westbrook Police Sgt. Mike Sanphy and Patrolmen John Desjardens, Rick Disney and Phil Hebert will be on hand Saturday at the Walker Memorial Library to sign cop cards.

50 Years Ago

The Westbrook American reported on Feb. 5, 1964, that Mrs. Clinton Rines of Gorham Garden Club would speak about floral centerpieces at the Brandybrook Garden Club meeting.

In Buxton, Shirley Harrison of Salmon Falls would address the Ladies League of Groveville in the community hall.

In 1909, Dr. Felix Barrett established a hospital at 537 Main St., to serve Westbrook and the surrounding area. The hospital was for many years known as the Barrett Hospital, before becoming the Westbrook Hospital. As Westbrook and the surrounding areas grew, it became evident that this hospital was too small to adequately serve the increasing needs for medical services and a group of volunteers organized a committee and fundraiser to build a new hospital. This photo shows the Westbrook Community Hospital on Park Road that was built in 1962. Several years ago, Mercy Hospital of Portland purchased the hospital, and after extensive renovations, operates it as Mercy Primary Care. To see more historical photos and artifacts, visit the Westbrook Historical Society at the Fred C. Wescott Building, 426 Bridge St. Inquiries can be emailed to westhistorical@myfairpoint.net. The website is www.westbrookhistoricalsociety.org.

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