Selectmen reach out to Milton on bridge jumping

Teens are climbing the pilings and jumping from lateral planking. (Harrison Thorp photo)

LEBANON - Selectmen will be reaching out to law enforcement and government officials from Milton to discuss ways to keep teenagers from jumping off the New Bridge Road bridge substructure, including possible fines for violators.

A meeting at Everetts Cove Marina is planned for Thursday at 6 p.m. to which Maine State Police, Milton Police and the Milton Board of Selectmen will all be invited.

Selectman Jason Cole said he had seen kids on the pilings earlier on Monday. Susan Everett of Everetts Cove Marina, which sits near the area on the Lebanon side, said she has also seen teenagers jumping off the substructure earlier this summer.

Selectmen yesterday discussed possible verbiage for the signs that might be most effective and whether a fine should be attached to any offenses.

Concerns revolve around safety and liability, they agreed.

Selectmen do not want to take the pilings out totally, since that would involve the EPA, because the pilings contain creosote, which could leach into Milton Three Ponds if that were attempted.

*** The graffiti-house at the bottom of Prospect Hill that burned last month is still the subject of graffiti it appears.

Lebanon Fire Chief Skip Wood said someone painted something about “an arsonist in the neighborhood” and a number to call.

Selectmen had authorized the building at 179 Champion Street to be bulldozed for safety reason, since it was totally gutted in the June 22 fire, but will now hold off until the investigation into the blaze is complete.

The Maine Fire Marshall’s Office last week confirmed to The Lebanon Voice that the fire was intentionally set, and that the house was the site of an “elaborate” pot-growing operation, complete with generators and special “grow” lights.

Wood knocked down a portion of the rear section of the building the day of the fire and the state knocked down more later to keep the structure safe from collapse so investigators could continue combing the scene for possible clues in the investigation.

State Fire Marshal’s Office investigator Daniel Young said last week the Maine DEA is also involved in the drug operation portion of the probe.

Town officials have tried to but been unsuccessful contacting the home’s owner who lives in Massachusetts, however it was learned Young had spoken to the woman.

She had reportedly been renting the house to a male tenant, who has been cooperating with Fire Officials, Young said.

No town officials were sure whether the home was insured. 

Selectmen Chair Karen Gerrish wondered whether the town should put a lien on the home to cover any town expense incurred with razing the building.

*** Milton Fire and Rescue has donated 1,000 feet of used fire hose to Lebanon Fire.

The generous donation will allow Lebanon Fire Chief Skip Wood to use about $4,000 that would have been used to buy new hose to purchase needed hose covers which are required by law.

The new hose covers are expected to cost $3,875.

Selectmen also ordered Wood to begin paying his volunteers every month instead of annually as he had been.

The move is part of a selectmen initiative to ensure all town employees, whether on payroll or stipend, be paid every month.