With Election Day fast approaching and the last day of school not far behind, the Town of Wells is anticipating what lies ahead and preparing for summer! For Wells, this looks like continued Beach Parking Pass sales, Absentee Ballot requests, the revaluation process impending and rumble strip project commencement. Read on for updates, notices and new staffing announcements from our Town of Wells departments!
Interim Manager sworn in
Please join us in welcoming Interim Town Manager, Bill Giroux to the Town of Wells. Giroux was sworn into the position on Thursday, May 26th by the Town Clerk.
Giroux previously served as City Manager in Bath, Maine for 11 years.
He has spent three decades working in government, including time in Brunswick, Portland and Wells.
He was manager of Bowdoinham before working in Bath.
The Town of Wells and its staff extend Giroux their warmest welcome as he steps into this position and serves as Interim Town Manager.

Read on for Giroux's message to Wells.
A note from Bill Giroux:
Hello all. My name is Bill Giroux and I’ll be your Interim Town Manager for a short while until the Select Board is able to complete the search for a permanent Manager. I’m a native of Brunswick Maine. I have over 35 years of Municipal experience including 11 years with the City of Portland and I was the Planning Director here in Wells about 22 years ago. Twenty two of those 35 years is as a Town and City Manager.
I most recently was the Town Manager in Standish for 4 years and before that I was in Bath for over 11 years. I’m now semi-retired and this is the second Town where I’ve served as Interim Town Manager.
I look forward to serving the Town during this transition and hope to be a steady hand as we move forward toward your new Town Manager.
-Bill
Memorial Day Parade honors fallen soldiers
The 2022 Wells Memorial Day Parade took place on Monday, May 30th, and drew crowds who gathered to honor, respect, and remember those who died in wars defending our country.
The parade participants began marching at Wells High School, and ended at Ocean View Cemetery, where readings and a ceremony took place. The parade not only honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our country, but also honored the families, friends, and armed services members who served alongside those lost in battle. 
Parade participants included The Girl Scouts of America, led by Angela Avery, the Wells Marching Bands, led by Chad Dickerson and Alison Graichen, The Wells B.P.O. of Elks, Wells Fire and Police Departments, Wells Emergency Medical Services, the Atlantic Harmonies, led by Bailey Smith, and the honorable veterans.
The Wells Memorial Day Observances Ceremony was led by Master of Ceremonies, Rep. Tim Roche, who implored those gathered to focus on the meaning of the day. Rev. David Hughes, from the Congregational Church of Wells delivered the invocation, and readings were offered by Richard Libby and Tom Chase of B.P.O Elks.
B.P.O of Elks Officers then proceeded to lay wreathes at the graves of brothers Elbridge and Leroy Hanson, Co. I, 3rd Battalion, Meuse-Argonne Offensive, France, October 1918.
We are grateful for the efforts of all those who took part in this year's parade. Thank all who gathered on Monday to observe Memorial Day in Wells and a special thank you to the veterans and active service members who marched.
B.P.O. of Elks Officers and Melinda Libby were among those who offered special readings for the ceremony. Their honorable role this year included the decoration of the Hanson brothers' graves.
The Atlantic Harmonies choir blessed the crowd with their talented vocals, offering songs including Amazing Grace and America the Beautiful.
Rumble strip installation aims to reduce accidents
Carol Murray, Director of Public Works
The Maine Department of Transportation has informed the town that they will be installing centerline ruble strips on Route 109, beginning at the existing rumble strips at El Velvel Circle and continuing 2.22 miles to the Kennebec Road/Route 99 intersection. This is part of the DOT’s systematic approach to improve safety on two lane roads where the average annual daily traffic is above 6,000 cars a day and the speed limit is 45 mph or higher.  Nationally, rumble strips have proven to be a low cost safety strategy to reduce fatalities and serious injuries due to lane departures. They are used as a proactive countermeasure to address lane departure due to driver inattention.

In 2021, traffic fatalities climbed to a 19 year high in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 42,915 people died in traffic accidents in the United States in 2021. That is approximately 117 people a day, or about the same as a 747 jet crashing about every four days killing all aboard. The United States Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called the situation “a crisis on America’s roadways”. This increase in traffic fatalities is linked to risky driving behaviors like distracted driving or speeding. The risky driving behaviors that have lead to the increase in traffic fatalities are indicative of negligence and recklessness, frustratingly easy to prevent, but they persist. Rumble strips are an engineering strategy used to improve highway safety which is why Maine DOT has approached their installation systematically.
In 2021, only five states saw traffic deaths decline, Maine saw a 1.2 % decrease.  Vermont saw a 24.2% increase and New Hampshire a 18.3% increase. The increase in traffic fatality statistics are alarming, but they fail to express the grief and hardship on friends and families behind those numbers. 
The installation of rumble trips is an effective step toward trying to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The newer rumble strips are not a rectangular cut into the pavement. They are now sinusoidal, which is a rolling wave pattern. This has been shown to reduce the noise created by vehicles driving on the rumble strips. 
The noise can be irritating, but we need work on the safety program known as “Driving Toward Zero-One Death is too Many”.  
Bill of Sale requirements outlined
Jodie Sanborn, Finance Director
The Finance Department would like to remind everyone what information is required by Maine Motor Vehicle for a Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale for a private sale transaction. 
At some point, residents may either purchase or sell a used vehicle. The State of Maine requires a minimum of the following:
  • The names of the parties involved (buyer and seller).
  • The purchase price of the vehicle.
  • The year, make, model, vin number, body type and color of the vehicle.
  • The current odometer reading.
  • Signature of the seller, seller’s address and date.
  • Signature of the buyer, buyer’s address and date.
The State of Maine Bureau of Registration has a fillable Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale, which can be found here.
The Department also wishes to acknowledge staff that are celebrating anniversaries with the Town in the month of May. 

  • Jodie Sanborn celebrated 20 years
  • Tammi Hollins celebrated 16 years 
  • Christine DeAngelis celebrated 5 years

The Town and Department appreciate the dedication of all three staff members!
Absentee Ballots Available
Reminder: Absentee ballots, for the June 14th State and Town Elections are available.
To request an absentee ballot, please call our office at (207) 646-2882 or come into the Town Hall.
To return your ballot, you can conveniently do so through three easy options.
  • Return your ballot in-person at the Town Clerk's Office in the Town Hall
  • Return your ballot by depositing it in the drop box that is located at the rear entrance to the Town Hall building
  • Return your ballot through the mail

To ensure your ballot is accepted, please be sure to sign the return envelope. A common reason absentee ballots may be rejected is because the back of the return envelope has not been signed.

This is a State Primary Election as well as Town Candidates, Town Referendum & School Election. You can learn additional information about election day here.
All ballots must be received by June 14th at 8:00pm.
Beach Parking Pass rules take effect
As of May 28th, Beach Parking Pass season has begun for Wells Beaches. Beach stickers may still be purchased online, in person or by mail.  



For residents and taxpayers that will be purchasing their beach parking passes in person, for faster processing please make sure to bring:
To assist beachgoers, the staff has compiled these Frequently Asked Questions related to beach parking. The full list can be found here.
Revaluation Process set to begin
Keeley Lambert, Assessor
The Assessing Office is very busy keeping up with creating beach parking pass accounts for new property owners in the Town of Wells. If you haven’t received a parking pass in the past, please call or stop into the Assessing Office so they can create your account.
The assessors will be around town doing our yearly pickup of property information. If you see a car driving by slowly or parking on the side of the road, it may be us. We drive a blue all-electric Nissan Leaf.
Please be sure the Assessing Office has your correct mailing address for this upcoming fall tax bill. If you have recently purchased property, it is always a good idea to let us know where you would like the tax bill sent.
We are preparing to begin the revaluation process for 2023. All residential and commercial property will be reassessed for the tax bill that comes out in October of 2023. It is important that taxpayers review their property card and let the assessing office know of discrepancies. It is very important for us to have the correct information on all properties prior to the revaluation. If you have any questions on the revaluation or would like further explanation, please contact our office at (207) 646-6081. 
Sports teams stick it out for strong spring turnout
Tina LeBlanc, Director of Parks & Recreation
The Wells Parks & Recreation Department has had a busy Spring running programs and preparing for Summer Camps. Spring is the season of lacrosse, running club, archery, and track & field.  
The lacrosse program held strong with almost 100 children involved, ranging from grades K-6th, despite the pandemic affecting children and some coaches who were out on quarantine for multiple days at a time. 
The program consists of 3 grade levels: Sticklets: Grades K-1, Little Laxers: Grades 1-2, and Travel Lacrosse: Grades 3-6.
We hosted games for 10 boys travel lacrosse teams on May 22nd which turned out to be a big success and we will be hosting another 6 girls travel lacrosse teams on June 5th!

Kudos to our 12 kids registered in our grades 1-4 running club program who ran over 60 miles combined in the 5 weeks we met at one day/week.
The Track & Field program has 22 kids ranging from grade 2-6 who have participated in one meet in Standish on May 22nd and will be participating in two more meets in Hollis and Old Orchard Beach in the next couple of weeks.

Archery is one of most popular programs that we typically offer in the Spring and Fall. This season we hosted 21 children in the classes. Our long-time volunteer, Bill Martineau, has been graciously helping Assistant Director Marilyn Wallace in the archery program for over 10 years and has been a valuable asset to the department and community. We want to thank Bill for all his hard work and dedication!
We want to welcome Jennifer Ellison in her new Part-time year-round position as the Before and After School Care Supervisor during the school year and Summer Camp Coordinator in the Summer. We are very pleased to have her work with us year-round!
We are currently wrapping up all our Spring programs and preparing for a great summer with Summer Day Camp, Tennis Camp, Mad Science Camp, and Basketball Camp. Please check our website at www.wellsrec.org for more information.  
If you have submission ideas or requests for The Wells Connector, please contact rkelley@wellstown.org.
208 Sanford Road
Wells, ME 04090
207-646-5113