Thumbs up to York's Citizen of the Year, smart votes and budget cooperation

It was just a few years ago that Kences was uncertain he could even remain a citizen of the town. Diagnosed with a nonverbal learning disability that falls under autism spectrum disorder, Kences shared his story of being bullied as a child with the community three years ago. Shortly thereafter, when the rental property where he lived was being sold, he lobbied residents in ways big and small to find a way to allow him to stay in York.

Since moving to town in 1992, Kences has poured over town records, ledgers, journals, wills and court documents. He's chronicled the town's history in more than 20 well-attended lectures held in the past several years, has served as a docent at Museums of Old York, worked with Town Clerk Mary-Anne Szeniawski in cataloguing records at Town Hall, is a docent at the Sayward-Wheeler House in York Harbor, writes a monthly historical column for The York Weekly, and more.

Kences called the recognition of his work, "deeply gratifying." It is the town of York that is lucky Kences calls it home.

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Thumbs up to York voters, who last week soundly approved funding for the Long Sands Bathhouse, a bicycle and pedestrian master plan, and an energy chapter to the comprehensive plan.

Approval of a larger and improved Long Sands Bathhouse has been five years in the making. The $216,000 in additional funding that voters approved for the project last week comes from the sale of town-owned properties and will be added to funds already on hand for the project. The new structure is anticipated to be complete by Memorial Day.

The bicycle and pedestrian master plan will serve as a blueprint toward a "complete streets policy" in town, so that all new and redesigned streets in town "are designed for all users, walkers, bicyclists, the elderly, people with strollers - everyone who is not using a motorized vehicle to travel."

The energy chapter voters approved for the town's comprehensive plan will serve as a guide as the town looks to more fully integrate sustainable practices in its budgeting, planning and purchases. Energy Steering Committee Chair Rozanna Patane said the committee wants to move York toward becoming "a 100 percent renewable community." "It's part of being healthy and resilient," she said.

Voter support of these efforts will allow the town to better welcome and better serve both visitors and locals, and will enhance the town's sustainability.

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Thumbs up to the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee and the Budget Committee, for gathering for the very first time earlier this month and taking a cooperative approach to start the budget process.

The groups joined at the recommendation of their chairs, and discussed mutual interests and priorities. Conversation ranged from municipal funding of a space needs study - to see if elementary education can be housed under one roof to make space for municipal offices - to proposed new positions, which for the town include one in the police department and one in the code enforcement office, and for the schools a focus in the area of special education.

It's good to see the three groups that decide on the budgetary future of the town get on the same page.