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Friday, August 28, 2026 Volume 21 • Issue No. 35
York County Forum Airs Transportation Highlights, Challenges YORK COUNTY For older adults or those with disabilities, getting to a medical appointment, the market, the library, community center, or elsewhere happens in a couple of ways. Those who are able and have an available vehicle drive there. For those who don’t have access to a vehicle, can’t drive, or can no longer drive, transportation can be a bit more challenging. Sometimes family can help, but in some instances, there is no family nearby to pitch in. Fortunately, several York County communities offer a lifeline of volunteer transportation programs alongside established
David Guay of Old Orchard Beach Community Friendly Connection, Wells Selectman Avery Seuter, and BSOOB Executive Director John Savage talk about transportation in their towns at a forum Aug 13.
regional transit systems. York County Community Action Corporation (YCCAC), based in Sanford, provides transportation to various locations in the city and beyond, including some
Wells’ Own Declaration of Independence Found
WELLS W hile researching the town’s historic records, staff at the Wells Town Clerk’s Office recently discovered a handwritten copy of the Declaration of Inde-
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pendence recorded in the Wells Town Record Book in July 1776 by Town Clerk Nathaniel Wells. Following the adoption of the Declaration by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, printed copies were distributed to area communities. The Massachusetts Council ordered that the Declaration be read aloud and delivered to town clerks, who were instructed to record it in their official record books “there to remain as a perpetual Memorial thereof.” The Wells Town Record Book contains both the Declaration and the original instructions, providing a local connection to one of the most significant moments in American history. The record has been preserved in the Town Clerk’s archives for 250 years, making it a significant piece of Wells’ history. Information provided by Town of Wells Maine Facebook page: w w w.facebook.com/ townofwellsmaine.
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coastal locales, while the Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit (BSOOB) line connects Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach. On a recent evening, more
than two dozen transportation providers, municipal leaders, and advocates gathered at the York County Government building in Alfred. The goal was to exchange information, explore ways to broaden services, and discuss how legislative policy and funding can better connect residents from their doorsteps to their destinations. The inaugural York County Transportation and Mobility Forum was organized by York County Commissioner Justin Chenette, with help from various stakeholders, including YCCAC, BSOOB, representatives from area age-friendly initiatives, and others devoted to transportation
issues. “My goal with this forum is to make it an annual check-in on the important progress made in each of our communities and to discuss specific action steps we can work on year-round to advance public transit,” said Chenette. “We find so much good work happening, but sometimes we don’t know what [others] are working on. Getting everyone in this room gives us that. We can now have a foundation for shared progress going forward.” According to data from the University of Maine Center on Aging’s Lifelong Maine initiaSee TRANSPORT on page 2...
Back-To-School Safety Tips STATEWIDE With the 2026-27 school year fast approaching, the American Red Cross offers tips to help kids have a safe start to the school year. The organization also offers apps and classes that provide additional safety information for teachers and students, along with reminders for drivers to slow down and follow school bus safety rules. “Back-to-school season is exciting, but it’s also a time when families can set the tone for a safe year ahead,” said Stephanie Couturier of the American Red Cross
of Northern New England. “A few simple conversations about how children get to and from school can make a big difference. When kids know what to expect and how to respond, they start the year feeling confident and ready.” For younger children, walking the route to school before the first day can help them become familiar with safe places to cross streets and where to wait for the bus. Students who ride bicycles should wear a properly fitted See SAFETY on page 11...
Beach Bonfire Benefit Set for Sept. 5
YORK The annual Beach Bonfire Benefit will return to Long Sands Beach Saturday, Sept. 5, from 6 to 9 p.m., weather and tides permitting. The community event began in 2001 as a fundraiser following the Sept. 11 attacks and has since become an annual event supporting local charities, including the YCSA Food Pantry. Organizers say the benefit has raised more
than $100,000 over the years. The evening will feature a bonfire, live entertainment, food, and raffles. The bonfire will be held along Long Sands Beach. Visitors can also explore York’s attractions before the event, including Old York Village, Mount Agamenticus, and the Nubble Lighthouse. Old York Village features preserved colonial buildings, museums, and historic homes.
Mount Agamenticus offers hiking trails and views of the Atlantic Ocean and, on clear days, the White Mountains. Long Sands Beach and the surrounding coastline also offer opportunities for walking and sightseeing before the evening’s activities. Information provided by Southern Maine Coast’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ southernmainecoast.
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