Selectman Meeting – March 2, 2010
1) Largess opened the hearing for the liquor license for Wilderness at 4pm. Since the application wasn't in attendance, the hearing was closed and reopened at 4:20pm when the applicant arrived. They plan to serve beer and wine only, in bottles from 3 to 9pm. After some discussion about areas for serving and hours, Selectmen signed the license. Planning board chair Brooks Morton asked the applicant to appear before the Planning Board to discuss a possible change of use at the site.
2) Chase Hill Chop & Drop:
Jeff Stearns said mistakes were made on the project. Dorfman, Stewart and Candlewood are the land owners. Small trees were cut into the stream for erosion control and trout habitat. A similar project was done in 2008 in Riley. There was grant money to do such work in the Androscoggin River Watershed. This project was done in 2009. Permission was gained from Cliff Akers for work done on both sides of the Branch Brook and on his side of the Chase Hill Brook Road. Other land owners did not give permission, but trees were dropped on Dorfman's property. Dorfman's land was cleaned up by Jay Milo according to Stearns. Lowell's, also landowners, were ok with tree landing on their side of the brook but not with trees being cut on their side. Trees were also cut on Candlewood's property. Stearns wrote them a letter in May 2009 reporting the cutting without permission. They have not responded to the Town or Stearns. Milo said he would clean up their property if asked. Milo said he had a recent unproductive conversation with landowner Stewart, however, he is willing to work with Stewart to fix any problems. Steve Wight agreed to work with Milo and Stewart to get the issue resolved. Wight said Stewart wants to walk the property and have at least the tree tops on the shore removed. Milo said in the future, he would plan to use GPS technology and walk the area with landowners before any cutting is done, instead of relying on tax maps and linear stream miles. The notification of Candlewood came up again later in the meeting and it was decided to resend Stearns letter to them by certified mail. Stearns gave Loretta Powers a copy of his 2009 chop and drop report to go along with the 2008 report already on file. Powers will check to see if the town ever received the grant money for the project. The town has paid Stearns and Milo for costs associated with the project.
3) It was agreed to spend up to $300 to participate in the September 2010 AVCOG Hazardous waste cleanup.
4) The subdivision permit for Locke Summit estates is expiring. Bethel sent them a letter asking if they were planning to apply for a one year extension. No response to that note yet. The Planning Board will discuss the project at their next meeting and may also send them a letter although that has not been past practice of the board. Morton speculated that it may require a joint meeting of the two boards to approve the extension.
5) Wight asked if selectmen would be interested in forming a Newry
Conversation Advisory Council/Commission. The group could advise on
habitat work, roadside cutting etc. and look for/propose conservation
efforts such as town forest, etc. Wight will present a more formal
proposal for selectmen to consider.
6) Town officials will wait to see if those who indicated interest at town meeting in raising more money for town graduates to come forward and request advise/assistance.
7) What process is used to determine who is contracted for erosion control in the rivers was discussed. It was decided to ask Stearns how he determines who can provide the best work for the best price.
8) Reviewed appointments needed for town committees and boards.
9) Morton said the False Alarm Ordinance seems to lack who has the authority to enforce and administer the penalties in the ordinance.
10) Morton is working on a map to assist with windmill ordinance discussion by the planning board.
11) Gary Wight was welcomed to the Board. He replaced Steve Wight who
retired after 34 years as a selectman. Jim Largess was elected Board Chairman.
Next meeting is Monday, March 22 at 4:01pm.
_________________________________________________________Wendy Hanscom
_________________________________________________________James Largess
Chairman
_________________________________________________________Gary Wight
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