It is time I saw some robins around here, but I can't say I have.  A cardinal was seen in my yard last week.  Other than crows, I can't say that I've had the time to see any other birds.

Town meeting is coming up, so don't forget to vote for town officers on Monday, March 12.

The annual town meeting is on Tuesday, March 13 at 7 p.m. This is where we decide what to fund and where the money is going to come from.  As a precursor, we have a very important meeting coming up:

Town Charter Changes

To the inhabitants of the Town of Swanville, county of Waldo, in the state of Maine, qualified to vote in town affairs.

You are hereby notified of a public hearing on changing the town charter, dealing with the following;

To see if the Town of Swanville will vote to change from Elected to Appointed the positions of Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Excise tax collector.

To see if the Town of Swanville will vote to change the Annual Town Meeting from the second Tuesday of March to the second Saturday of March.

. . . at a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Swanville to be held at the Swanville Town Office on Wednesday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m.

Be there or be square.

I understand that no one wants to run against our current office holders because, frankly, they're doing a good job.  I think that our leadership thinks that this seeming lack of interest or unwillingness of people in our town to run against anyone should make the cost and effort of holding an election unnecessary, "If no one cares, then let the Selectmen chose someone" (this is my guess).  But we should not give up our right to correct possible problems that could arise in the future.

The beauty of the system right now is that there are at least four unrelated people who have to approve any spending the town does. If the Selectmen can simply appoint someone, then there is room for conflict of interest, and favoritism. Why not amend the town charter to say that if no challenging candidates present themselves by one month before these elections then the election will not occur and the elected officials will hold their jobs until next year's elections?  That would save money, but not take away the townspeople's direct ability to effect change if the situation should present itself.

These are important issues and I hope you will all come out to hear and share your ideas and opinions at this meeting.  Elections are expensive to run, and we are definitely in a place where cutting corners is necessary.  Let's just cut the right corners.

The Swanville Church hosts a fun luncheon and activity day for retired adults, every last Thursday of the month, at 11 a.m.  This month it will be on Feb. 23.  All are welcome.  Contact Charlene at 722-3586 for more information.

For all our snowbirds and exiles, there is still 10"-15" of ice in the lake.  Someone took a really decently large salmon while ice fishing last week.  It's a miracle that there's ice at all, because we still seem to get 40°F days at least three times a week.  All the shanties are beginning to leave the lake because the State Wardens are warning that no body of water is safe for vehicles, but it's still plenty safe for people and dogs.

Speaking of warm days, it's official.  Mud season has arrived, and the car-sized Olympic ski jump has heaved itself into existence on the hill on Route 131 heading west to Waldo.  The Barbara Sholes Memorial Speed Bumps have not appeared (thank you MDOT), and we hope they never will, no offense to Barbara, and I'm sure, none taken.

It is that time of year again. Time to sign up for the wonderful game of baseball with the Belfast, Northport, Swanville little league for the 2012 season. As you may have heard we are now Belfast, Northport, Swanville Cal Ripken League everything is still the same except for our name, that is the only change. If your child was on a major or minor league team last year they will still be on that team. Remember everyone has to sign up again even if you are already on a team you have to sign up every year. We will be having sign ups this year at the YMCA in Belfast, To make sure your child gets on a team don’t miss the sign ups, you must come to one of the nights to register your child. Dates and contact info listed below.

ALL BOYS & GIRLS FROM THE AGES 7-12 ARE WELCOME TO SIGN UP AND PLAY. COME HAVE FUN AND LEARN THE GAME OF BASEBALL WITH US @BNSLL.

SIGN UP LOCATION: BELFAST YMCA LOBBY

MARCH 7^TH from 5:00pm-7:00pm

MARCH 8^TH from 5:00pm-7:00pm

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO SIGN UP MY CHILD:

1) 3 PROOFS OF RESIDENCY

2) CHILDS BIRTHCERTIFICATE (we just need to view it and give it right back)

3) PROOF OF INSURANCE

Town of Swanville

Public Hearing Notice

Town Charter Changes

To the inhabitants of the Town of Swanville, county of Waldo, in the state of Maine, qualified to vote in Town affairs.

You are hereby notified of a public hearing on changing the town charter, dealing with the following; 

To see if the Town of Swanville will vote to change from Elected to Appointed the positions of Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Excise tax collector.

To see if the Town of Swanville will vote to change the Annual Town Meeting from the Second Tuesday of March to the Second Saturday of March.

at a special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Swanville to be held at the Town Office, in the Town of Swanville, on Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at 7:00 p.m.