Happy Summer to the Town of Wells! The warmest time of the year brings something for everyone to enjoy, from the kick-off of the Summer Harbor Concert Series, to reading programs, to magicians, to the 8th Annual HarborFest. If you are seeking new opportunities in addition to the multitude of activities Wells has to offer, there are various opening for career and volunteer positions. Read on for updates and details on the many exciting opportunities throughout the Town of Wells. |
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Wells Fire Department welcomes warmer weather!
Mark Dupuis, Fire Chief
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Welcome Summer!
Wells Fire Department would like to say congratulations to Tyler McDermott for graduating from the York County Chiefs Association Firefighter I &II Academy. This was a very long commitment on his part as it required 15 weeks of nights and weekends to accomplish. We are very proud of his dedication and commitment to the Wells Fire Department! He is now certified to enter a burning structure!
Wells Ocean Rescue Lifeguards have completed their two weeks of training and are now on the beach full time! We want to extend our deepest appreciation to those that took the time to train this year’s lifeguards. Thank you, Joe Mokry from Ocean Rescue Systems, Carlo and Chris from Dirigo Readiness Resources Group, Maine Marine Mammals, Audubon Society and Maine Healthy beaches as well as a few others. We would not be able to keep our community, waters and wildlife safe without your knowledge and skills!
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With summer upon us, the Town of Wells has become the usual hot spot for tourists and residents alike. With this, our incident numbers do increase for the months of June, July, August, and September. This year for the month of June, we had 152 incidents compared to last year of 104. This is a 31.5% increase. We want to remind everyone to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test them regularly. Stay vigilant with the increase in traffic and stay safe and hydrated while enjoying the hot summer weather. Though, if an emergency does arise, we are always here!
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Friends of Wells Dog Park plans play area for four-legged friends |
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Friend of Wells Dog Park
You may be saying to yourself, “I didn’t know Wells had a dog park!” And you are correct… up to a point. Wells is going to have a dog park! When? That remains to be seen and depends on the generosity of the residents and businesses of our dog-friendly town.
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In 2021, the Wells Select Board authorized the formation of a committee to investigate the creation of a Dog Park. The Dog Park Committee, charged with developing an initial site work plan and establishing a non-profit organization to which the town could partner with for the development of the park, met from November 2021-March 2022. During this time, the committee was able to complete the tasks, establishing The Friends of Wells Dog Park. This is a not-for-profit organization and is providing the Select Board with an updated plan for the site. In June, Wells voters approved the Select Board’s motion to establish a long-term lease agreement for a parcel of land on Burnt Mill Road to the Friends of Wells Dog Park. Check out our Facebook page!
The Friends are in the early stages now of raising funds to do the site work; clearing land, fencing, making paths, etc. This will be a long-term task. There is no funding from the Town. If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation to the park, checks can be made to the Friends of Wells Dog Park and mailed to 65 Nottingham Drive, Wells, ME 04090. Donations can also be made online here
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Hiring process for Police Department broken down
Jo-Ann Putnam, Chief of Police
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With most Maine police agencies hiring, we wanted to illustrate the tremendous burden all police agencies have recruiting, hiring, and retaining police officers. Our recruitment efforts here at Wells PD include attending 4-5 job fairs a year for both full-time and seasonal police officers, in addition to posting on 26 college jobsites, social media, recruitment websites like Indeed, the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, and Maine Municipal Association. During the recruitment process, we receive several applications, and the following is a typical example of the path a person takes to become a police officer in Maine:
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First step is the physical agility test. For a 23-year-old male/female, that means 29/15 push-ups in a minute, 38/32 sit-ups in a minute, and a 1.5 mile run in 12:38/14:50 as the entrance requirements.
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Second step is the ALERT test – a general aptitude test, with a minimum score required.
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Step 3 is an extensive background investigation that typically takes a month or so to conduct. This includes a polygraph examination and psychological examination. Many things disqualify folks from being a police officer in Maine.
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Training is step four – to start immediately, the recruit needs to undertake 80 hours of online training, followed by 80 hours of classroom training. This qualifies the recruit to have police officer powers and start the next phase of training – field training.
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Field training is 480 hours (12 weeks) and is completed either before or after the full-time police academy. This is broken in three phases with more autonomy as the recruit progresses.
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The Basic Law Enforcement Training Program is the last step in the hiring process. This is a comprehensive 720 hours (18 weeks) live-in academy combining physical agility, classroom learning, and practical weeks (Emergency Vehicles Operations, Firearms, and Standard Field Sobriety Training) in a high-stress environment to simulate real life policing conditions.
From the initial interview to having the officer fully trained and ready to go on patrol is about eight to ten months! To maintain our certifications, we have mandatory trainings along with ongoing educational requirements and testing for a basic patrol officer. Like any other job, the more diversified skill sets the police officer has, the more effective they are on the road – and with this comes more training.
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Planning for Drakes Island Road Bridge begins |
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The Planning for the replacement of Drakes Island Road Bridge has begun! The Town of Wells has hired an engineering firm to help the community determine what a replacement for this 84-year-old bridge could look like. Partners for this project will include US Fish & Wildlife, Rachel Carson National Wildlife Preserve, Wells Reserve, and Maine DEP, among others. The Town’s goal is to create a strong program to protect the surrounding river and marsh environment - and of course to provide a better long-term connection to Drakes Island for the community.
A public informational meeting open to the entire town is planned for Wednesday, July 27 at 6 pm at the Wells Town Office - and online via Zoom. At this meeting, you will hear an overview of the bridge planning and design process and timing, as well as information about the engineering challenges of replacing the bridge. The major purpose of the meeting is to hear your input and answer questions.
Watch for an upcoming Zoom link in the next issue of the Connector and the town website.
John Ardini and Susan O’Connell, Drakes Island residents, are part of the communication planning group and have helped represent initial concerns of the Drakes Island community and project abutters. The Town plans to have a link on the town website to post ongoing information and make it easy for the public to ask questions and make comments – this link should be available for the Public Informational Meeting on July 27.
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Fun-packed schedule heats up at the Wells Library
Cindy Appleby, Library Director
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Summer Reading is in full swing! We’ve got a ton of fun things to do and prizes to win between now and August 20th when it ends.
Weekly programs:
Mondays at 10:30 a.m.
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. at the Harbor Gazebo
Thursdays from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Special Programs:
Earth Jams
Monday, July 18th
10:30 a.m.
Come join Matt Loosigian shares his silly, interactive songs about the nature and ecology right outside our front door.
Wells Library Pet Show
Wednesday, July 20th
6:30 p.m.
We want to meet your favorite pets at the Wells Public Library Annual Pet Show! Last year’s online show was such a success, we are going to do it that way again. Send us a video and a photo of your animal by Friday, July 16. We will send you a few questions to answer, then tune in to Facebook Live on Wednesday night to watch our Pet Awards Show!
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B.J. Hickman
Tuesday, July 26th
6:30 p.m.
A staple to our roster of performers, Magician BJ Hickman always puts on a first-rate performance. He entertains with comedy magic including card tricks, audience participation and mind reading miracles. Don’t miss out!
Tarot 101 with Kate Sheridan
Thursday, August 4th
5:30 p.m.
For adults. This event will cover basic tarot using the standard 78-card deck. For entertainment purposes only.
A special thanks to the Friends of the Wells Public Library who fund all of our summer reading programs! You can support the Friends by shopping at their ongoing book sale in the library or joining the Friends.
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Wells Summer Harbor Concert Series Continues |
The Bel-Airs are set to perform in the Wells Harbor Summer Concert Series on July 16th .
The Bel Airs are a vocal quintet performing popular love ballads and dance tunes of the late 50’s and early ‘60s, referred to now as The Doo Wop Era.
Since 2009, the singing group’s goal has been to take audiences on a musical time machine back to those days of beehive hairdos, shiny metal diners and big finned cars, recreating those fabulous songs in exquisite five-part harmonies. Their shows are a full entertainment experience of music and humor.
The Bel Airs will perform on Saturday, July 16th. This free concert will be at the Hope Hobbs Gazebo at Wells Harbor Community Park, 331 Harbor Road, Wells, beginning at 6pm.
There is plenty of free parking and Admission is free (though contributions are accepted). There is abundant park bench type seating. You can bring your own blanker, folding chair and/ or a picnic and we highly recommend bringing a friend or two to enjoy some great music in a beautiful setting. Come every week for a fun, relaxed evening of wonderful entertainment with lots of good folks in a scenic spot.
For more information, visit our website or call 207-646-5113.
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Dune Conservation remains a focus for Wells Beaches |
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What are sand dunes?
Coastal sand dunes are fragile and dynamic resources that only comprise about two percent of Maine’s coastline. These dunes act as natural barriers that protect the shorelines from storm events that cause erosion. They also provide vital habitat for a variety of wildlife and have natural scenic beauty that is enjoyed by many. Dunes can vary dramatically in shape and size depending on coastal conditions such as prevailing winds and the amount of sand available on a given beach. Overtime, sand dunes will grow, shrink, or move around as they are impacted by natural forces like storms or unnatural events like human interactions.
Threats to dune vegetation
Though sand dunes can be damaged by severe storms, the greatest threat to dune vegetation comes from uncontrolled recreational use. Dune plants are specially evolved for the harsh conditions of coastal life, but these adaptations make them especially vulnerable to traffic. Frequent beach users, such as humans and dogs, can trample plants as they walk through them. This foot traffic leads to plant degradation and even death. Even light foot traffic can create “blowouts” that persist for years and leave the shoreline more vulnerable to erosion by wind and water.
Did you know that sand dunes are protected by the Department of Environmental Protection? By trespassing in a sand dune system, you could be violating Maine state law!
The best way to help preserve our dune systems are to stay clear of them. Always enter and exit the beach using only designated walkways and entrances. Call your pet away from the dunes before it enters them and make sure they are not defecating in them; do not let pets or kids play in the dune grass or sandy hills. Do not enter the dune system for any reason, including but not limited to: photography, metal detecting, pruning or removing plants (including invasive species), recreation or travel.
For more information regarding coastal sand dune rules and regulations, please visit www.Maine.gov.
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Wells Needs You! Volunteer Today |
Volunteers are a vital and essential part of the Town of Wells community. We have many vacancies at the moment for Boards and Committees. Listed here are various openings available. Please visit our website for the full listing of vacancies.
Become a volunteer with the Town of Wells today! Your abilities and your passion can make a big difference. Join your friends and neighbors to make Wells not only the friendliest Town but also the best town to live, work and play in Maine.
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To start making a difference in our community and easily submit your volunteer application online today, simply scan the QR code or navigate to the online application. If you would like to apply through our form, please complete the Volunteer Application and return by email or to the Wells Town Office
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Want to work for Wells? We are hiring! |
If you are interested in not only living in the Friendliest Town in Maine, but working for it too, there are openings that the Town of Wells is looking to fill! Browse the available offerings to see if there is a position that aligns with your skills, experiences and abilities.
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Current Town of Wells Employment Opportunities include:
Follow the link below to read the full job descriptions and apply to these jobs today!
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WEB GIS Map allows for detailed area analysis
Mike Livingston, Town Planner and Engineer
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The Town of Wells has an Online Geographic Informational System (WebGIS), which is an interactive mapping application that runs in a web browser and provides the public with geographic data. This Web GIS Map, located here, can be used when preparing a plot plan to be submitted with a building permit for a structure like a shed or a garage. See steps below:
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Use the measuring tool to plot the shed at your proposed size. |
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Navigate to the Draw Tool |
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Use the draw tool to create lines |
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Navigate to the Measure Tool |
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Check setbacks using the measure tool
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Click on print icon and set to even scale |
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A drawing is created that can be saved as a pdf or printed. In the drawing tools other labels, arrows and text can be added to make the plot plan more complete, see example below.
Please explore the Web GIS on the Town website by clicking below.
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Community Partners
Wells Ogunquit Senior Center
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The Wells Ogunquit Senior Center frequently offers special fundraising events and trips to support the Center and for the enjoyment of their members and their friends. Here are some noteworthy events coming up this Summer.
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Bingo is now being held every Wednesday evening, with doors opening at 4:30pm. Come ready to win! Food will be available for purchase.
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The Wells Ogunquit Senior Center will be hosting a Yard Sale on July 16th, from 8:00am - 1:00pm. All proceeds will benefit the center. Please call (207) 646-7775 for more information.
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If you have submission ideas or requests for The Wells Connector, please contact rkelley@wellstown.org. |
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208 Sanford Road
Wells, ME 04090
207-646-5113
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