About Us
Our Mission
The Livermore Falls Betterment Group (LFBG) seeks to revitalize the downtown village area both economically and esthetically.
Acting in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan of 2002 approved by the town, and the Pierce Atwood Planning Study and Revitalization Plan, approved by the Board of Selectmen in 2004, LFBG wishes to create an inviting atmosphere in the downtown village area which will draw in new sources of retail and services. In the process, LFBG will help Livermore Falls develop a more diversified economy, while retaining a small-town/village feel. Recently, with Livermore Falls' acceptance into the Square One Program of the Maine Downtown Center, we also have agreed to organize ourselves according to the four-point principles of the Maine Street Maine Program.
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Betterment Group Board
President
Kathleen Szostek- e-PRO, Realtor®, Keller Williams Realty Mid Maine
Kathleen was top salesperson in her real estate office in 2006 prior to joining Keller Williams Realty Mid Maine in March of 2007. The company's agent-centric culture emphasizes access to leading-edge education and promotes an economic model that rewards them as stakeholders and partners. Using these resources to serve clients in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties, Kathleen brings a strong property marketing focus to her work with sellers and an unquestioned partnership to serve the best interests of all her clientsÂbuyers and sellers alike. Kathleen, a product of rural Maine, spent her early years on a dairy farm in Albion. She is a graduate of Goddard College , Plainfield, Vermont and received an M.S. Ed from the University of Southern Maine. She spent many of her young adult years between Boston, MA and rural Maine Âand returned to Maine Âfinally' in 2001.
With her husband of 22 years, Fran, Kathleen moved to Livermore Falls in the fall of 2003. She has served on the Apple Pumpkin Planning Committee, is a member of the Jay-Livermore-Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce for which she was Secretary in 2007, the Livermore Falls Planning Board, Vice President of Western Mountains Women's Connection and is Chairing the Livermore Falls History Night 2008 Committee. Kathleen is a 6 year member of Lewiston-Auburn Toastmasters where she has held the roles of President, VP of Public Relations and Treasurer. She serves as PR and Logistics Director for the creative and inspiring Frantasia Festival of Out Music and Arts, an annual August event for which her husband is originator and creative director.
Heartfelt contribution for Kathleen is a joint commitment: to help others to
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Vice President
Phil Poirier- Photographer, Musician, Protean Graphics Web Design
Phil was born in Rumford, and graduated in 1976 with a BFA in Art from the University of Maine, Portland/Gorham. A past President of the Betterment Group, Phil has offered his professional services in support of LF History Night, Chamber of Commerce Visitor Guides, The Apple Pumpkin Festival, and The Norlands Living History Center, among others. Phil was co-recipient of the Jay-Livermore-Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year Award for 2007.
A recipient of the Monhegan Artists' Residency Fellowship in 1996, Phil formerly served on the Board of the Monhegan Artists' Residency Corporation, the Livermore Falls Planning Board and is currently an advisory board member for Portland Trails, an urban land trust. Phil was a founding member and past president of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club, an outing club some 1,000 members strong, with chapters in Bangor and Portland. He has designed and maintained many local web sites for towns and non-profits including Livermore Falls, Jay, Spruce Mountain Ski Slope, and Maine's Paper and Heritage Museum.
Phil camps and backpacks year-round, always taking a camera. He has recorded CD's of his original music, and from time to time, plays his original music out at coffeehouses. After 30 years of residing in the Portland area, Phil chose to return to his roots in the foothills of the western mountains of Maine , and has spent the last four years as a volunteer focusing on revitalizing the local economy.
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Treasurer
Cindy Peart- Androscoggin Savings Bank
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Secretary
Susan Parker-Papillon
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Michele Coates- Central Maine Power
Michele Coates is the Field Service Supervisor for the Northern Region of Central Maine Power Company. She holds a BSBA from Husson College . Michele was previously employed at Forster, Inc. where she worked at the Craft Service Coordinator for 6 years. Michele was a United Way of the Tri Valley area board member from 2001 to 2007, serving as Treasurer in 2006.
Michele grew up in Wilton and attended Mount Blue High School , graduating in 1985. She currently lives in Livermore Falls with her husband, Frank and twins, Bailey and Brandon. Michele has resided in Livermore Falls for the last 18 years. Through her work with the Livermore Falls Downtown Betterment Group, she is committed to making Livermore Falls a town where her children will be proud to grow up.
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Peggy Dwyer - The Riverkeep
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Shari Ouellette - Beauty for the Soul Day Spa
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John Ross- Kimber & Ross Inc
John became a part of the Livermore Falls Downtown Betterment Group, as a member of Kimber & Ross Inc., a property management company, headquartered in Livermore Falls since 2005. Kimber & Ross Inc., has a real estate management portfolio throughout Maine , with a high concentration in Western and Central Maine . John helped form Kimber & Ross Inc., after many years at RF Integration Inc., of Lowell , Massachusetts as a Director and Software Engineering Manager. Prior to RF Integration, John worked as a Software Engineer at Hittite Microwave Corporation (NASDAQ: HITT), and held several positions at Teradyne Inc. (NYSE:TER). John began his career as a Project Manager with Johnson/Bartel a joint venture of two international construction firms. John is an active member of community improvement organizations, projects and events such as The Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce, the LF Downtown Betterment Group, LF History Night, and the Apple Pumpkin Festival. He is currently the Vice Chairman of the Jay, Livermore , Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Visitor's Guide Committee and a member of the Economic Development and Apple Pumpkin Committees of the chamber.
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Rebecca Ryder - Franklin Community Health Network and Franklin Memorial Hospital
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Members at Large
Alison Hagerstrom is the Executive Director for Greater Franklin Development Corporation and resides in Farmington . She holds a BS in Secondary Education from the University of Maine at Farmington . In September 2006, Alison was chosen as The Franklin Journal and Livermore Falls Advertiser's first-ever "Person of the Year". Alison is a former business owner with over 20 years of manufacturing and management experience. Her company, MTE, Inc. located in Farmington, manufactured wiring harnesses and other electrical sub-assembles for the electronics industry. Alison served on the Plus 1 Small Business Committee created by former Governor Angus King and in June 1991, she received the University of Maine at Farmington Alumni Association's Alumni Achievement Award . Prior to becoming the executive director, Alison was employed by SCI in Augusta as a program manager and later consulted with Franklin Memorial Hospital on a software development project. Alison currently serves on the University of Maine at Farmington 's Board of Visitors, the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area Board of Directors, and is past treasurer for Mission at the Eastward, a position she has held for eight years. Alison is also a member of the Farmington Rotary Club. Alison has enthusiastically supported the various efforts of the Livermore Falls Downtown Betterment Group.
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Gary Knight- State Representative, District 81
Gary is a life-long member of the Livermore Falls community. He is a graduate of LFHS, earned his BA in Economics at Colby College , his MBA from USM and is a graduate of the School of Banking at Williams College . He recently retired from Androscoggin Bank (after eight years as their Executive VP and Senior Trust Officer). Gary had previously spent 36 years with Livermore Falls Trust, finishing his career in this "hometown" bank" as its President and CEO. Gary has been a very active member of the community serving on many boards and committees including MSAD #36, Franklin Memorial Hospital, CES, Inc. and Evergreen Behavioral Services. He is very involved with youth; serving Spruce Mountain, AYS and the Boys Scouts. He currently represents District #81 in the 123rd Maine State Legislature. Gary is married with two grown children and has five grandchildren.
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Kenny Jaques
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