Book Sale
Ludden Library has added a huge selection of Juvenile books for sale in our ongoing Book Sale that is located in our basement area. Along with the books for younger readers we have mysteries, romances, and a wide assortment of paper backs. The price of our books is whatever you can afford....What a great opportunity to add to your personal library at home and support your local library at the same time.
The Last Word
by Charlotte M. Collins, Secretary/Deputy Treasurer
July 30, 1979—January 11, 2013
As this is the last Annual Town Report that I'll be compiling, I thought it might be appropriate to write a few words about my experiences at the Town Office over the past 33-1/2 years—and there have been many.
I first worked for the town as a flagger on the sewer project and spent six weeks stopping by the office to check on the opening for a "girl Friday" that had been advertised. John Baker was first Selectman and Mary Frances Bartlett, the administrative assistant.  Typing tests, writing tests, adding tests—you name it—I had to pass them all. However, I'll always be grateful for the trust bestowed by the old guard who hired me for a job that I so desperately needed. I've been able to raise two children on my own, and I now have four wonderful grandchildren and three sweet great-grandchildren. I've had the good fortune of living at 8 First Avenue for the past twenty-seven years—through divorce, losing both parents and a dear sister and beautiful buddy "Artie" my snowshoe Siamese cat of sixteen years. But through it all, I had my job, and for that I will always be grateful.
Throughout my time at the Town Office, there have been numerous occasions when a good sense of humor was needed. For instance, the time Carol Stone landed at the Town Office with a dead coon in hand that had been decimated by dogs running loose in her neighborhood. "I've had it! It's time the cops did something about those dogs!," she shouted. She slammed the dead coon on the counter where I was sitting and the guts went flying all over me and the paperwork. I told her I would get the police as soon as possible and hopefully capture the damn dogs!
Another time it was a little more serious...a gentleman came in to the Town Office who needed money for gas and food. Town Manager Jim Bennett told us to give him $20 from the petty cash fund, charge GA and send him on his way. Vickie and I felt that something wasn't quite right—something was very wrong with this drifter, but we couldn't put our fingers on it. Jim insisted that we pay him the money so he'd leave Dixfield. We did, he left and we called the Police. Sure enough, he had stolen the car from New Hampshire and was on the run. They caught him in Rumford. He'd spent the twenty dollars.
I've served 37 different Selectmen and worked for 11 Town Managers. Gene Skibitsky, although my last, is by far my favorite—with his vast business knowledge, ability to work well with people and a man- ager who did a great job for the town. We've all tried to work as a team, especially when first learning a new computer system. I've witnessed the town growing from hand writing books (and everything else in 1979), to a new computer system in 1987, a fiscal year change at the same time and overcoming new challenges just a few years ago with an even more efficient and better computer system that emerged on the market. The changes have been many, but most have benefitted the town.
I've learned that a town evolves. Old citizens pass on but leave an imprint on all of us as new births bring joy to another neighborhood. New houses spring up and a new road is accepted while the old neighbor- hoods get a face lift from new tenants. The record of YOU is here—at the Town Office when we register your car, license your dog, type up your birth certificate, and send you a tax bill. You do matter, and you do make a difference to the community. We live here in Dixfield to raise our children and enjoy our lives while helping each other and upholding the values that make us Americans.
I wish to thank all my co-workers for being there for me whenever I needed them, and especially Vickie Carrier. We've worked so long together we've become like sisters—most often getting along great, but then there are those rare moments...Goodbye to everyone and thank you all.
Most sincerely, Charlotte
Dixfield Welcomes Samantha A. (Ellis) Hill - New Secretary-Deputy Treasurer
 We all welcome Samantha to the staff of the Dixfield Town Office! She will be replacing long-time employee Charlotte Collins who retired January 11, 2013. Samantha is a single mom to seven-year-old Thaden, is the daughter of Steve and Melinda Ellis and lives on Kidder Avenue. Samantha brings new skills to the Town Office and will always have a smile for you!
River Valley Animal Advocates Video
The River Valley Animal Advocates were asked to participate
in the first "Today River Valley Videos" which is now online.
It's a great video of the work being done by our local animal
advocates group and worth the visit to view it at:
http://www.todayrivervalley.com
Northern Oxford Regional Solid Waste Calendar
The 2013 Recycling Collection Calendar for the Northern Oxford Regional Solid Waste District has been finalized. The calendar is filled with information to help you sort your waste.
We encourage you to review the sorting information on the Calendar and to call the Regional Recycling Center if you require more information. To download the calendar, click here.
NEW WEB PAGE
*Selectmen Support Dixfield As a Farm-Friendly Community*
On August 27, 2012, the Board of Selectmen unanimously voted their approval of supporting Dixfield citizens who wish to farm their land and offer locally-grown produce to area citizens. In that spirit, this information is being provided to share the many useful resources available to support Dixfield residents with an interest in farming. Click here to view our new web page dedicated to this endeavor.
Town of Dixfield 2012 Distinguished Citizen
This year's award is one that we know all Dixfield citizens will agree with. It's an award that honors one of Dixfield's most generous and valued citizens—a citizen who has truly put our friends and neighbors above his own needs. The 2012 Distinguished Citizen Award honors:
Isaac (Ike) M. Libby
Last winter Ike was forced to make a wrenching decision based on desperate circumstances. Oil was going sky high and his customers were finding it ever more difficult to pay the high costs. One customer, especially, wanted to pay his bill by signing over title to his car. Ike, his partner Gene Ellis and the Hometown Energy crew knew something serious had to be done. The New York Times needed an oil energy story from the Northeast. Ike certainly had the perfect one. He contacted them and related the plight of the people in the area who were willing to go without transportation in order to stay warm. When the story hit the news, their phones came off the hook! Donations from across the country poured in to help. Ike's customers were saved from losing everything, and over $250,000 in generous donations was received. Due to Ike's efforts and those he works with, over 100 households in the greater River Valley area were helped last winter. Continued support will be available again when the weather turns frigid, and our special, Distinguished Citizen will be there, too. Thank you, Ike, from everyone in town. We value you and the good deeds you do every day for our community!
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