FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners Tuesday tabled a discussion on a proposed name change of Doctors Island to Maneskootuk Island in Rangeley Lake to see if anyone is opposed.
They will take up the discussion at their 9 a.m. meeting Nov. 7 at the Franklin County Courthouse.
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names has received a proposal from the owner of the 15-acre private island, Carolyn Scolfield of Rangeley, to rename it.
The U.S. board has asked commissioners for their opinion on the proposal.
The Rangeley Board of Selectmen will discuss the proposal during its meeting at 6 p.m., Nov. 6, at the Town Office.
Scolfield’s letter to the U.S. board stated that when Frederick Dickson purchased the island in the 1880s, it was known as Ram Island. Dickson renamed it Maneskootuk Island.
Subsequently the island’s name changed to Doctors Island followed by Persian Island and in 1968 Scolfield’s father bought the island. He named it Maneskootuk Island. Scolfield has owned the island since 1991.
Scolfield would like to officially restore the name to Maneskootuk Island.
County Clerk Julie Magoon told commissioners she had never seen a proposal to change the name of an island from the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
Commissioner Terry Brann of Wilton said he was not opposed to the change.
Commissioner Clyde Barker of Strong, who represents the Rangeley area, said he would like to wait on the discussion to see if anyone is opposed to the change.
dperry@sunmediagroup.net
Send questions/comments to the editors.
