25 years ago: The town of Portland was cited by the state Department of Environmental Protection for the dust pollution that was caused by sand put down as a cover when the roads were oiled. Town hall and DEP received complaints from residents, and Dr. George Rosenfeld started a petition drive asking town officials to find another method of preserving the roads.

25 years ago: Middlefield Board of Selectmen discussed options for 100 acres of town owned land as open space. The Strickland property along Cherry Hill Road was considered for a wide range of possible uses including the construction of industrial lots and selling the development rights to the land to the state.