9304-R4_NewGloucester_2024-2025_AnnualReport_Web

Annual Town Report Dedication

The Town of New Gloucester Annual Report is dedicated to members of our community whose exceptional spirit, long-standing commitment and countless contributions have strengthened the Town and enriched the lives of its residents. This dedication represents the highest honor the Town can bestow. This honor is held for individuals whose service, generosity, and involvement have made New Gloucester a better place to live. For generations, access to local government has been a cornerstone of civic life in New Gloucester. Long before online streaming and social media, cable television served as a vital connection between Town government and the community, allowing residents to watch meetings, stay informed, and follow local decision-making from their homes. In 1998, the Town first broadcast Select Board meetings using VHS recorders, with tapes carefully stored in the Town vault. This marked the beginning of the New Gloucester Public Access Channel 3. As technology advanced, so did the scope and quality of the service. Recording equipment evolved from VHS recorders to palm recorders and then to professional broadcast cameras, and volunteers expanded coverage to include historical presentations and community events. In 2010, the Town acquired its first video editing computer, later followed by DVD recorders to ease filming and sharing of local programming. In 2022, the last of the town’s standard definition equipment was replaced with current technology. Now, live streaming of meetings and instant access to videos on demand bring residents even closer to their government and community. Through every technological turn, the Town has continually provided access to local government to residents, only thanks to dedicated people behind the scenes. The importance of this public access to government cannot be overstated. For decades, this service has existed only because of individuals who consistently gave their time, skills, and expertise to the Town of New Gloucester. With deep appreciation and gratitude, the Select Board dedicates this Annual Report to Mark Bowie, Richard Erwin, and Patti Mikkelsen , in recognition of their collective and individual contributions to New Gloucester Public Access Television and to ensuring residents’ continued access to local government. We welcome this opportunity to turn the camera toward these three individuals and celebrate the enduring contributions they have made.

2