Marsters assigned Mideast duty
Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Harry L. Marsters has deployed overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He is the son of Charles and Kay Marsters of Forest Street, Westbrook. Marsters is a 1972 graduate of Westbrook High School.
Marsters, a first sergeant and communications superintendent with 27 years of military service, is normally assigned to the 265th Combat Communications Squadron, South Portland Air National Guard.
Post 62 to meet
The Stephen W. Manchester Post 62 of the American Legion will meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the post headquarters, 17 Dunn St., Westbrook. A catered dinner precedes the monthly business meeting.
Swan excels at USM
Kelley Swan, a senior at the University of Southern
Maine, earned high honors for receiving all As for the fall semester.
She graduated from Westbrook High School in 2004. Swan is the daughter of Stephen and Susan Swan and younger sister to Stacey Swan. Swan will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in media studies with a concentration in production.
Girl Scout sign-up Monday
Parents and girls are invited to learn about and register for Girl Scouts on Monday at 7 p.m. at the Congin School Cafeteria
Girl Scouts of Maine serves more than 14,000 girls ages 5 to 17 statewide. Many volunteer options for adults are also available, including troop leaders. Registration fee is $10, payable by check, and financial assistance is available for this fee.
For more information, contact Beth Darling at 1-888-922-GSME (4763) or 772-1177, or e-mail bdarling@gsmaine.org.
Boulette named firm director
The law offices of Murray, Plumb & Murray have announced that Timothy H. Boulette of Westbrook has become the newest director and shareholder of the firm.
Boulette joined the firm in 2000. He graduated from Wiscasset High School before going to Brown University. Boulette returned to Maine, where he worked for several years for a large Maine construction company prior to attending the University Of Maine School Of Law, which he graduated in 1999. His practice concentrates on real estate law, estate planning, intellectual property law and business law.
Boulette currently serves as vice president of the board of directors for Congregation Bet Ha’am in South Portland.
Consumer rights
Mainers who find it hard to make ends meet have new protections from disconnection of lights and electric heat this winter, according to Westbrook representatives Tim Driscoll and Ann Peoples.
Current Public Utilities Commission rules bar utilities from shutting off power to any customer between Nov. 15 and April 15 without permission from the PUC’s Consumer Protection Division. The PUC will also work with customers to find financial assistance to pay electric and gas bills during that period.
Letters from the power company, phone calls and in-person attempts at contact are all required before a winter disconnection can take place. At any time, a customer can contact the PUC’s Consumer Assistance Division toll free at 1-800-452-4699 to work out a payment schedule with the PUC’s help.
Consumers can also get free assistance in coming up with other ways to meet the bills for 2008, which include:
•A year-round Low Income Assistance Program (LIAP) that provides utility bill discounts or credits to challenged families. The fund currently has $7 million available for assistance.
•The Energy Crisis Intervention Program for eligible families who get disconnection notices and still cannot negotiate or honor an existing payment plan.
•Emergency assistance from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services when a disconnection is imminent.
•Eligible customers on oxygen pumps and ventilators for at least eight hours a day may qualify for a utility credit to cover the cost of electricity for the life-saving equipment.
New rules also require that a full information packet explaining consumers’ rights and options be mailed or delivered to homes that have lost heat or light service since April 15.
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