STOCKTON SPRINGS— The following newsletter from the Town of Stockton Springs circulated Dec. 2.

Saturday, November 27, was the lighting of the Town Christmas Tree. About  40 friends and neighbors gathered in the brisk evening air to celebrate the start  of the season of peace. While eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate, the  adults and some of the children sang carols, while others played in the freshly  fallen snow.

The Town of Stockton Springs has its share of challenges, but we also have an abundance of blessings. The spirit in the air the night of the tree-lighting was  one of those bright blessing. May the spirit of the season be with you. 

Stockton’s Holiday Schedule 

Saturday, Dec. 4: Community Holiday Celebration 

The Community Holiday Celebration will be held this Saturday, December 4,  at the Town Office. Be there early to see Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on  their sleigh at 3:05 p.m. The event runs through 5:30 p.m., and Santa will be  there throughout. There will be sleigh rides, cookies, a reading of T'was the  Night Before Christmas, inside craft projects, and live animals. Warm  clothing is encouraged, and the wearing of masks is encouraged for the  inside activities. The event is free and open to everyone. 

Saturday, Dec. 18: Santa’s Stockton Parade 

The Stockton Springs Fire Department will parade through the streets and  roads of Stockton, along with their special guest, Santa Claus, starting at 10 a.m. The progress of the parade will be posted in real time on the  Facebook page of the Stockton Springs Community Builders.

December’s Reduce, Reuse  and Recycle Tip 

Halloween is over, reduce your “phantom load”…and those plug-ins (phone  charger, laptop TV, air purifier) are creating a load on your electric bill. Unplug, or plug into a power strip that you can turn off. 

This tip is brought to you by the good people of the Stockton Springs Recycling  and Energy Conservation Committee. 

Tai Chi News 

Judy O’Neal is pleased to announce the receipt of a grant from the Maine State Library that will  help defray the cost of hosting Tai Chi classes.  

Tai Chi is currently offered virtually via Zoom twice a week during the fall and winter, on  Tuesdays and Fridays, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. To sign up for classes, please call the Stockton  Springs Community Library at 567-4147. 

During the summer, Tai Chi was offered in-person at Stockton Harbor. That program was quite  successful, and hopefully Tai Chi will return to the harbor when winter is over. 

DOG LICENSES AVAILABLE 

Dog licenses for 2022 are now available at the Stockton Springs Town Office. All dogs are  required to be licensed by December 31, 2021.

Veterans Day in Stockton Springs

The weather was more than cooperative for this year’s Veterans Day ceremony in Stockton.  Indian Summer has been generous to us this fall, and Thursday, November 11 at 11 a.m. was no  exception. A crowd of roughly 70 people gathered at Veterans Park for the short yet dignified  ceremony, which was under the direction of Horace Seekins, Commander of the American  Legion Jerry W. Dobbins Post in Stockton.  

Election Results 

For an off-year election with no local seats or issues, Election Day in November was a very busy  place at the Stockton Springs voting polls. Turnout was heavy and brisk. The results of the  November 2, 2021 election are as follows: 

Total Number of State Ballots Cast: 613. 

Question 1: Citizen Initiative 

Yes: 328, No: 282, Blank: 3. 

Question 2: Bond Issue 

Yes: 454, No: 157, Blank: 2. 

Question 3: Constitutional Amendment 

Yes: 322, No: 286, Blank: 5.

Opportunities to Help Those in Need this Season: 

Keep The Heat On Fund 

Donations are always welcome for Stockton’s “Keep The Heat On” Fund, which allows for  heating assistance to low-income individuals. Checks should be made out to the Town of  Stockton Springs, with a notation that the check is a donation for the “Keep The Heat On” Fund.  

The Giving Tree 

The Giving Tree can be found in the upstairs meeting room of the Town Office. This tree allows  residents of Stockton who are in need an opportunity to come in and pick up a few things to put  under their children’s Christmas tree. Anyone wishing to donate children’s items are encouraged  to bring the new, unwrapped items to the Town Office Monday through Thursday 9-5.  Unfortunately the need is great, but so is the spirit of our community.

HELP WANTED 

Jobs are still available with the Stockton Springs Ambulance Service. We need Drivers, EMTs and Paramedics. Training is provided. All members of the ambulance crew receive $5/hour on call pay, and then regular pay for the calls to which they respond. This is a great opportunity to  serve the Town and further your own career. For more information, contact ambulance@stocktonsprings.org, or 567-4322. 

 More Help Wanted! 

Although all Town committees and boards need volunteers, the Board of Assessment Review is  in the greatest need of all. This board meets only as needed and has not met for a few years.  When they do meet, there is staff available to assist in their duties. Please consider a seat on the  Board of Assessment Review. For more information, or to volunteer, please contact the Town  Manager at manager@stocktonsprings.org, or 567-3404. 

Holiday Scheduling: 

Trash and recycling pickup will remain the same for the month of December.  

Because of the Christmas holiday, e-waste will be moved to Saturday, December 18, from 9 a.m.-12 a.m. Items may be brought to the Public  Works Building on Cape Jellison Road. 

The Stockton Springs Town Office will be closed on Monday,  December 27 in observance of the Christmas holiday, and on Monday,  January 3 in observance of the New Year’s holiday. 

General Information: 

The Stockton Springs Town Office is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please  visit our website at www.stocktonsprings.org. Our phone number is 567-3404. Our fax number  is 567-3710. 

Trash is picked up every Friday. All trash should be curbside by 7:00 a.m. 

Recycling is the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Please have recycling curbside by  7:00 a.m. 

E-waste is the last Saturday of each month,  

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Thank you for taking the time to read the Official Newsletter of the Town of Stockton Springs,  Maine! If you know anyone who would like to subscribe to the newsletter, just have them send  an email to manager@stocktonsprings.org.

May every day of your holiday season be un-abominable!