RANGELEY — Steve Philbrick of Bald Mountain Camps told selectmen this week of plans for a charity ride to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest parade of snowmobiles.
The Feb. 9 ride would ideally involve more than 820 snowmobiles to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, he said.
Philbrick said the Rangeley Police and Fire Departments, and Town Manager Tim Kane have been helping organize the ride, which he hopes will become an annual event.
The route would be from Oquossoc to Rangeley via Mooselookmeguntic Lake and back to Oquossoc.
“We’re going to stay off the trails, because it would beat them up,” Philbrick said, “and any travel over lake ice will be absolutely tested for safety.”
The registration fee is $10. Anyone who can’t make the ride can purchase a vehicle sticker at local businesses to contribute.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest parade of snowmobiles was 820 machines that completed a 29-mile course at Roseau, Minn., on Feb. 21, 2004. The parade was held during the 6th annual Frostbite Days arranged by the Roseau County Trailblazers Snowmobile Club.
In other business at Tuesday’s board meeting, Kane announced Tiki White, director of the Rangeley Airport, was appointed to the Maine Aeronautical Advisory Board, and Fire Chief Tim Pellerin was named the community’s forest fire warden.
The Maine Warden Service commended Rangeley police and fire, and local merchants for their support in the ongoing search for three missing snowmobilers believed to have gone into Rangeley Lake the night of Dec. 30. They are Kenneth Henderson, 40, of China; Glen Henderson, 43, of Sabattus; and John Spencer, 41, of Litchfield.
Also Tuesday, the board approved permits for the Snodeo, the BOSS Power Equipment Rave X, and the New England Pond Hockey Tournament. Jean Stewart reported on progress for the Snodeo’s blessing of the machines and a safety awareness ceremony to be held at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at the town park. Stewart said a minister, a speaker from the Maine Warden Service, and Kane are lined up for the event. Letters about the service are going out to Maine towns and to snowmobile associations.
The board held a final discussion on the RSU deed and made a decision to sign the quitclaim deed over to the school board.
The board accepted the report of Auditor Ron Smith, who said that the town’s finances are rock solid, and offered to advise on investment opportunities.
The board also voted to remove the funding formula that had been required of organizations requesting grants or subsidies from the town.
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