Local Scouts Prepare to Fix Up Two Windham Structures

Two local girl scouts and a candidate for Eagle Scout received unanimous approval Monday to fix up a pair of deteriorated structures in town.

Cadettes Taylor Mendes and Molly Ryan, both of Troop 10281, appeared first before the Board of Selectmen to to present a rehabilitation project for the town gazebo.

According to the 14-year-old Mendes, she and Ryan, also 14, are planning on replacing some of the gazebo boards, recovering the nails, and doing some painting and sanding.

"If the other girl scouts want to do this as well (in the future), we can also have the instructional plan on how we did it, so when they do it they know how to do it as well," said Mendes.

She added that senior citizens often come over to enjoy the nice weather at the gazebo.

Both Mendes and Ryan are going for their silver awards, which is achieved by scouts in sixth, seventh or eighth grade.

The silver award is the highest award a girl scout cadette can earn.

Scouts must receive bronze and silver awards in order to pursue the gold award, which is the highest achievement in girl scouting and is awarded to scouts in high school.

Life scout Brian Duranian, 17,  of Troop 266 followed Mendes and Ryan to receive approval for his Eagle Scout project –a plan to replace the changing house at the Town Beach.

The original changing house, which has since taken a turn for the worse, was completed by an Eagle Scout.

Duranian's project was recently discussed during a Windham Recreation Committee meeting.

Duranian will tear down the existing structure and replace it over the summer with a safer structure. At age 17, he has one year to complete the project.

He will work with Recreation Coordinator Cheryl Haas to avoid disrupting anyone visiting the area during beach season.

Haas will also work with both Mendes and Ryan, who plan on completing their work by Sept. 30.