“Bunkhouse” Permits Prompt Inquiry

(Lamoine) — Tax Assessor Terry Towne and Code Enforcement Officer Dennis Ford have a differing view on a trio of building permits issued in the Bar Harbor Highlands Subdivision. All three were issued for structures on land that will not support a septic system. None of the buildings have any internal plumbing, but apparently might be used as sleeping quarters on a part-time basis.

Towne says any such structure must, by state plumbing code, have some sort of water disposal system. Ford said he's made it clear those who sought the permit that all water must be carried in to the property and carried out in containers. To date, no complaints have been received that users of the buildings are disposing of waste water on site.

CEO Ford did issue a pair of notices of violation for that neighborhood. One was for a building that was constructed prior to obtaining a permit. The building contained ventilation for an alternative toilet that requires an internal plumbing permit, but does not utilize a septic system. The property owner has since obtained the building permit and unhooked the toilet.

Eagles Nest On Jordan River

(Lamoine/Trenton) — A bald eagle nest on the Trenton side of the Jordan River has prompted the state Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) Department to designate part of Lamoine as an essential habitat for endangered species.

The designation will mean certain development activities are prohibited in the area without approval from the IF&W Commissioner ahead of time.

The area in Lamoine affected is along the Shoreland area of Shore Road, beginning near the intersection with Lamoine Beach Road, and extending southerly approximately 1/2 mile. A copy of the map showing the designated area is available at the town hall, as is information on the particular development constrained in that area.

Lamoine has another eagle habitat identified in the Eagle Point subdivision.

This bald eagle was perched at the top of a tree just outside the town office. Our thanks to Tammy Dickey who alerted us to the bird's presence. Another eagle was also circling nearby.

Sheriff Drops Ballot Probe State Uninterested

(Lamoine) - Hancock County Sheriff Bill Clark has suspended his investigation into improper photocopying of official ballots used at a special town meet last June. The Sheriff informed the town office that the Attorney General's office and Secretary of State would not reply in regard to what law might have been violated by photocopying and distributing official ballots.

The case came to light when several “ballots” were returned through the town hall mail slot on Election Day with votes checked off. The ballots were photocopies of the official ballot, but printed on white paper instead of the official yellow paper. Town officials immediately contacted the Secretary of State's office asking for advice on how to proceed with the election, fearing that some people might think they had voted when in fact they had not. The election went on as planned, often with people bringing the ballots they had been mailed to the polls and being advised they had to complete the yellow ballot instead.

It's believed the phony official ballots were photocopied from an absentee ballot that left the office. Sheriff Clark questioned one of the parties that obtained and returned their ballots in that manner. The other person who used the same method refused to speak with the Sheriff. For now, the case remains inactive pending further developments.

Permits Issued

(Lamoine) — Code Enforcement Officer Dennis Ford issued the following permits for the last quarter of 2005:

Nbr. Name Project (Go to Permits Index)

54. •  Hodgkins, Harlan Deck
55. •  O'Connell, Davin/Sara Residence
56. •  Fickett, David Residence
57. •  SWOAM Sign
58. •  Ostermeier, Charles Residence, Garage
59. •  Moore, James Residence, Garage
60. •  Bishop, Lewis Residence
61. •  Allen, Royden Sun Room
62. •  Gettman, Robert Garage
63. •  Ashey, Michael Shed
64. •  Workman, Stewart Shed
65. •  Haass, William Garage
66. •  Harvey, Dorothy Addition
67. •  Leavitt, James Residence
68. •  Giles, Paul Jr. Residence
69. •  Pulver, Robert Garage/Studio

Building permit issuances are posted on the town's website (www.lamoine-me.gov) shortly after the permits are issued. After a request from Tax Assessor Terry Towne, the website is also listing the plumbing permits issued as well. Click on the Code Enforcement Information box, and then the permits index for the current listing as well as past permits issued.

The Code Enforcement Office generates a monthly report for the Planning Board as well. That report is also available at the town's website. CEO Dennis Ford holds office hours on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM until Noon. Permits are required for most building projects in Lamoine.

Land Lease Offered

(Lamoine) — Doug Gott & Sons, Inc. has asked the Board of Selectmen if the town is willing to lease land behind the closed landfill in order for their company to stockpile excavated gravel materials. The land was previously excavated under a contract between Gott and the Town which provided significant amounts of income to the community from the gravel sales.

The proposal was initially presented to Selectmen at a meeting in November. Surveyor Steve Salsbury plans to come back to the board in 2006 with a formal plan and lease offer. Selectmen do not expect to make a huge amount of money from the proposed lease.

Planning Board Approves Permits, Tackles More

(Lamoine) — The number of subdivision applications has dropped significantly this year, giving Lamoine's Planning Board some breathing room. The Board, though, is not lacking for activity.

A number of gravel pit renewal applications were before the board at year's end with a few more due early in 2006. The Board conducted site visits at the pits licensed by Doug Gott & Sons, Inc. and RF Jordan. Final plans were submitted in late December with renewal expected at the January meeting.

The Board is also looking over the preliminary plans for a subdivision of land off Woodcock Lane (Partridge Cove subdivision road). Toby Stephenson plans to divide a large tract of land into four lots. He had already divided his lot once, so the next division triggers the subdivision ordinance.

The Planning Board gave approval to a small marina operation submitted by Code Enforcement Officer Dennis Ford at its November meeting. The plan also required approval from the Army Corps of Engineers and involves placing some moorings in front of Ford's property on the Skillings River. A small building will be moved to the property to accommodate boaters.

The Board approved a subdivision of land off Shore Road. Steve and Patricia Leonard Johnson plan to build a home off Otter Lane where they've already constructed two cottages. The third residence triggered the subdivision requirement.

Work Continues on Shoreland Code

(Lamoine) — Lamoine's Planning Board hopes to be ready for town meeting with major revisions to the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance. Another workshop is scheduled in January as the board peruses the ordinance in an effort to bring it in line with the state model.

Voters last approved changes to the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance in 1993, adopting a modification to the state model. Several issues have cropped up in the last 16-years which will be incorporated into the changes. The Planning Board will hold hearings prior to the town meeting at which changes will be proposed.