South Portland News Briefs

Willard Fest

The South Portland City Council has unanimously approved a request to close Preble Street to non-emergency traffic on July 16 for the first-ever Willard Fest.

The downtown celebration, described by organizers as a “family-focused festival [with] music, food, games, crafts, and residents sharing their memories of Willard Square,” will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 16. To facilitate the event, councilors agreed to close Preble Street from the intersection of Willow and Day streets to 444 Preble St., from 1:30 to 8 p.m. The square intersection with Thompson and Pillsbury streets also will be barricaded during this time. A rain date, with similar timeframes, has been set for Sunday, July 17.

Members of the Willard Fest Committee, chaired by Wynne Wirth, presented the council with a petition containing 88 names in support of the measure. Mayor Rosemarie De Angelis said, to date, the city has received just one email opposed to the closure.

“Neighborhood representatives have met with the fire and police chiefs, and everything is copasetic with them,” said City Manager James Gailey. “We have worked out an alternative route for the bus service during the time the festival is going on.”

“I think this will be a wonderful activity,” said Councilor Tom Coward. “This things really add to the community spirit.”

HoJo happenings

The Howard Johnson motel at 675 Main St. has a new owner. According to records at the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds, New Gen Group LLC acquired the building and its 6.4-acre lot May 27 from Zyacorp Hotels Inc. City councilors signed off on a lodging establishment license for the 121-room business at their June 20 meeting. Records show that New Gen took out a mortgage on the property with Bangor Savings Bank for $2.8 million. New Gen also owns the Econo Lodge and Days Inn motels in South Portland.

Appointments

At their June 20 meeting, city councilors appointed Joan Kushner, of Bayberry Way – a retired social worker who has lived in South Portland for four years – to fill an unexpired term (expiring May 5, 2013) on the city’s Energy and Recycling Committee.

“She was a founding member of the city’s ‘Green Team,’” said Mayor Rosemarie De Angelis, who made the nomination. “She’s very committed to this [conservation] work.”

Kushner replaces Christopher Kessler, who resigned due to commitments from a new job.

Lion eyes

The South Portland City Council has granted a sign permit to the local Lion’s Club, allowing it to post a permanent notice of its meetings. The 30-inch, circular signs will be placed on Main Street (at the Scarborough town line) and the Casco Bay Bridge (at the Broadway intersection).

“In the Internet age it’s a little easier to find a meeting when you’re traveling, but this is the traditional way to do it,” said Councilor Tom Coward. “This is consistent with what other places have allowed, you see these all over the place.”

“It’s only modestly bigger than a campaign sign,” joked Mayor Rosemarie De Angelis.

“Exactly,” said Coward. “And there’s only two of these, not 32. I think it’s a minimal impact and the Lions and other service clubs are definitely a benefit to the community.”