Nov. 9, 1983

Soot particles from S.D. Warren’s boilers can eat into paint on

automobiles – a situation that has some people seeing red. But so few of the particles are small enough to be inhaled that

the Maine Department of Environmental protection is not concerned, a spokesman explained. Among the cars that catch the Warren soot are the cruisers of the Westbrook Police Department and the private cars of policemen. Chief Carmine Russo said last week that one of the cruisers had fresh marks not only in its paint, but also in its windshield. Patrolman Ronald Allanach said his car has been repainted four times at S.D. Warren expense because of soot damage.

A general meeting on downtown Westbrook’s future Wednesday offered opposing views: Retailing is unlikely, or retailing properly

aimed can succeed. John Menario, who is completing the latest of

several studies of the area, told the meeting that urban renewal had nothing to do with the decline of retailing in downtown Westbrook; it was bound to happen anyway because of the rise of the shopping centers.

Four Westbrook policemen can retire immediately under a contract given first-reading approval 6-0 Monday by the Westbrook City Council. Final action is expected Nov. 21.

They are Sgt. Robert D. Abbott, Sgt. John J. Marrone and Patrolmen Francis M. Donahue and Charles L. Bailey. The contract permits retirement after 20 years’ service for those now employed, but raises the period to 25 years for those employed

hereafter. It replaces a contract that permitted retirement after 23

years.

The Westbrook girls cross-country team completed a remarkable

season Saturday by capturing the state cross-country championship for Class A schools at Colby College in Waterville. The race was run in almost unbelievable wet and cold conditions. There were eight other teams represented. The Blazes held off a strong challenge from last year’s champions, Biddeford High This meet gave them a perfect 32-0 season.

Westbrook police notes: Leaves were burning at 11:30 p.m. in

front of the house of Robert LeBlanc, 545 Bridge St. Patrolman Malloy saw a man break the handset of the public phone

at Westbrook Common at midnight. The man wouldn’t give his name, and was taken to Cumberland County Jail. An Escort radar detector was stolen by someone who broke the passenger window of the car of Peter Anastos, Newton, Mass., at Cinema

City. Kids were shooting squirrels in Saccarappa Cemetery. Over the weekend someone got through the fence and stole four

tires and rims from a pickup truck at Rowe Ford, breaking a side

window with a jack. A yellow tiger kitten showed up at Canal School Monday morning and was trying to get in Police took it to the Animal Refuge League.

Nov. 10, 1993

Westbrook voters kept Fred Wescott as mayor last week and gave him a 5-2 Democratic majority to work with on the City Council. The present Council has three Democrats, a Democrat-turned independent (Don Richards) and three Republicans. Voters chose two Democrats and a Republican for the School Committee, where Democrats will continue to outnumber Republicans, 4-3. There were 1,101 votes counted in the official totals in the mayor race in Westbrook’s Ward 3. After finding only 1,087 voters names checked as having received ballots in the ward, Ward 3 Alderman Don Richards declared the difference reason enough Monday to ask for a ballot recount in his own race, and said he thinks the City Council should call a new election. The official Ward 3 count, made Wednesday afternoon, gave Democrat Florence Libby the victory in the ward alderman race, with 432 votes to 427 for Richards and 222 for the Republican Brian Cramer.

Westbrook police notes: A man turned himself in and was taken to

the Cumberland County Jail; he was wanted on 20 warrants. A 33-year-old man was arrested at Brown Street and Cottage Place at 2:16 a.m. for driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while his license was suspended, criminal mischief and carrying a concealed weapon. He was taken to Cumberland County Jail. At 4:30 a.m., police were asked to tell a Dunn Street man that his son was in jail. The address given was incorrect, however. Shop ‘n Save caught two boys shoplifting. They were released to their parents. A 12-year-old boy ran away after he was ordered to stay in his room. A truck lost a load of bricks at Wayside Drive and Stroudwater Street at 10 a.m. The driver picked them up

before the police got there.

Acting fire Chief Byron Rogers and the state fire marshal were

poking through the ruins of the Grace Full Gospel Church, 563 Main St., Westbrook, to find out why it burned Monday. A

communion service was held Sunday. No one was in the church Monday morning when a well-developed fire was discovered. Mrs. Perry Rankin, Methodist Road, Westbrook, wife of the minister,

said the congregation’s plans are uncertain. She has been a member 60 years, starting when the church was on Seavey Street in the present Saccarappa Grange Hall. It built the Main Street building in 1955.

Copy the Story Link