Sen. Collins honored in New Gloucester

: U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is honored by New Gloucester first responders, EMTs and firefighters at the fire station Tuesday. Town Manager Paul First recognized her for supporting and aiding the town’s ambulance service enrollment in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Collins also supported the New Gloucester Water District’s efforts to secure $1.4 million in loans and grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Water Development program. Collins’ efforts provided a $70,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency grant to the town Fire and Rescue Department. Collins was given bowls crafted by Peter Asselyn of Durham from the 116-year-old rock maple tree planted by the New Gloucester Shakers in 1898. The tree was in honor of Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett Jr., known as the composer of the song “Simple Gifts” in 1848.

: Honoring U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Tuesday at the New Gloucester Fire Department are, from left, Poland Fire Chief Mark Bosse; New Gloucester Town Manager Paul First; state Rep. Susan Austin, R-Gray; state Senate candidate Eric Brakey; New Gloucester Fire and Rescue Capt. Ryan Mitchell; New Gloucester Fire and Rescue EMS Deputy Mary Rich; Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village Director Michael Graham; New Gloucester fire Chief Gary Sacco; Collins; New Gloucester Fire and Rescue firefighters Mike May, Chris Gill, Josh Daigle and George Carman; state Rep. Eleanor Espling, R-New Gloucester; state Senate candidate Cathy Manchester; and Cumberland County Regional Communication Center Director William Holmes.

: New Gloucester fire Chief Gary Sacco and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, stand on a firetruck Tuesday at the station. Collins was honored for her assistance to the ambulance service and helping secure funds for the Water District and Fire and Rescue Department.

: U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, accepts a bowl crafted from a maple tree planted at the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in 1898. “Honestly, I don’t think I’ve been given a more lovely gift. I will treasure it,” she said. Collins was honored Tuesday at the fire station for her assistance to the ambulance service and helping secure funds for the Water District and Fire and Rescue Department.

: Michael Graham, director of the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester, gives U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, a wooden bowl Tuesday at the New Gloucester Fire Department. The bowl was crafted from a maple tree planted at the village in 1898. Collins was honored Tuesday at the fire station for her assistance to the ambulance service and helping secure funds for the Water District and Fire and Rescue Department.

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