Welcome to Stetson...

Welcome to Stetson, Maine! A small town with just over 1,000 residents, Stetson has always taken pride in its strong rural character. Located 17 miles west of Bangor, people originally came to settle here because of the scenic beauty, excellent farmland after it was cleared, and an abundance of lumber. Natural resources including forestland, abundant wildlife, wetlands, water resources and unique natural areas contribute greatly to the quality of life. At six miles square, Stetson continues to provide open space and recreational activities such as fishing, snowmobiling, hunting, canoeing, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. Pleasant Lake, located entirely within the town's borders, is a scenic 798 acre lake known for its excellent fishing and clean water. A scattering of camps and homes around its seven miles of shoreline have not detracted from its beauty or character. A second source of community pride is our historic Stetson Meetinghouse. Located in the center village, this beautiful building continues to serve as a gathering place for town meetings, public functions and community dinners.

While Bangor is the economic/employment center of the area, Stetson has taken on the identity of a bedroom - type community. Although experiencing moderate population growth, the town continues to maintain a rural, relaxed, yet active community atmosphere. Town government has always had the good fortune to have strong and conscientious leadership. Stetson has a history of fiscal responsibility, a relatively stable tax rate and maintains a capacity for growth. While welcoming such growth, Stetson continues to encourage safeguards and goals for protecting its natural resources and quality of life features well into the future.

Selectman’s Corner

Submitted by: Don Carroll

As I sit here writing this piece, sweltering in 80+ degree weather, complaining about the heat, I like most everyone seem to forget about June and July of 2009, when there were a total of seven days over 70 degrees until July 25th.  On top of that, about half of those days it rained in some form.  So like me, stop and think about last year and suffer in silence, or at least try.
    I hope all of you have visited the Veteran's War Memorial since the benches were added and the flower bed has been refurbished. Many thanks to Cole's Transportation Museum for donating the benches, Diane Lacadie for transporting them, Bob Creighton of Newport Memorial for installing them and Marlene Webber for redoing the flower bed.  Also I understand that I have been remiss for not mentioning Foss Farms Greenhouses who have furnished plants and containers for not only the memorial, but also the Welcome to Stetson signs, so I offer an apology for not being aware and on behalf of the town, our heart felt thanks to Sue and Warren Foss.
    We are starting a new era of our Park and Rec endeavors as of July one.  We have new co-directors.  Dennel Ham and Christy Hewitt, who want to bring back all the good old days, (which they tell me they're to young to remember), including Valentine, Easter, Halloween and Christmas parties, baseball, softball, soccer etc.  They are also interested in starting some activities, or programs geared toward our senior residents, which Kay Underhill has agreed to be a special advisor to help these young people with some ideas.  As with all programs these ladies will need help and cooperation from you folks.  To address this need, there will be a meeting at the Meeting House at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 10th, to gather information, get input and ideas, and hopefully volunteers.  Everyone is welcome, parents, children, seniors, etc.  Also I have been asked to mention that soccer sign up forms will be available in mid August at the store and the Town office.  Lets' get behind these girls and make the Parks and Rec program a big success.
    It has been decided to forgo Stetson Days for this year due to the late start of the planning process; we didn't feel we could do justice to putting together a kind of day the public deserves.  However, the good news is Marlene Webber has stepped forward and offered to put together a committee for a super celebration next year.  Marlene would like to start planning immediately while some entertainers, etc. are available.  Anyone interested in helping out or with ideas is invited to call Marlene at 296-2663.  Let’s make Stetson Day 2011 a day to remember.
    As a few of you may remember, we had the Annual Town Meeting a few weeks ago.  In my twenty years as a selectperson, June 12, 2010 was the worst case of public apathy and indifference I have witnessed.  Of the 1100 registered voters in this town, 29, yes that's 29 of those voters attended town meeting and were charged with spending 1.3 million dollars of your money.  A few years ago when we were in turmoil, everybody attended meetings, had an opinion, a solution or complaint, etc.  Now things have gone smoothly for a couple of years and nobody seems to care, as shown by the attendance at Town Meeting and Selectpersons meetings, it seems to me a shame in a town of good and caring people, which is proven time after time when anyone is in need of help, the people step up with what ever is needed, that we have to beg people to attend a once a year meeting, or serve on a board that meets once a month, or attend a meeting twice a month to keep up with what is going on with town government and perhaps offer an opinion or comment.
    Now that I have that off my chest, I will close by wishing all a safe and happy summer.