Subdivision Owner Complies With Order

(Lamoine) — The Board of Selectmen found subdivision developer Ronald Simons in compliance with a consent agreement to move the road into the Pine Grove Estates Subdivision. Mr. Simons also planted a row of cedar trees between the road and the Teresa Rohner property, which was part of the order.

The placement of the road has been a point of dispute between Simons and Rohner. The town got involved when the road was measured to be less than 15-feet from Ms. Rohner's mobile home, a violation of the setback portion of the Building and Land Use Ordinance.

In Compliance

Paradise Drive leading to the Pine Grove Estates Subdivision is lined with cedars as requested by the Selectmen

New Gravel Pit Approved, 2 Renewed

(Lamoine) — Lamoine's Planning Board gave final approval to a new gravel mining operation on land adjacent to the Town Office. Selectman Perry Fowler purchased the land earlier this year from the Hagen Estate. Fowler submitted Site Plan Review and Gravel Permit applications. A public hearing was held in early May, and several members of the public asked questions ranging from restoration plans to wildlife protection. The Planning Board approved the two permits following closure of the hearing. Mr. Fowler said he plans to use Christmas Trees as restoration of the dug surface. The property is no stranger to gravel mining. Approximately 80-feet to the north of the Town Hall is a large pit that was excavated beginning in the early 1900's. The land has since grown into quite an ecosystem, but has steep slopes that would not be tolerated by modern pit restoration standards.

Cell Phone Tower Company Eyes Land

(Lamoine) — Engineers for a communications tower company visited Lamoine in June and measured the area around the former landfill for possible location of a cellular phone tower. The area to the east of the landfill which has not been excavated for gravel sits on relatively high ground and may make an ideal location for a communications tower.

Any plan to lease the land would have to be approved by town meeting, and permitting would have to meet local, state and federal requirements, including clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration because of the proximity to the Hancock County Airport.

Four Offer Services To Planning Board

(Lamoine) - A vacancy on the Planning Board as an alternate member has brought forward four people willing to serve. Realtor Jane Hamilton , Builder Michael Jordan, Tax Assessor Terry Towne and retired Professor James Gallagher all said they'd be willing to fill the seat vacated by Lance Landon.

The Selectmen met with Mr. Jordan and Mr. Gallagher in late June, and have invited Mr. Towne and Ms. Hamilton to the July meeting. The Selectmen said they were very grateful that so many people are willing to serve.

CEO Gets Laptop

(Lamoine) — Selectmen approved of purchasing a new laptop computer for use by the Code Enforcement Officer. Dennis Ford had requested the machine in order to access the various databases on the town's computer network. The computer has come in very handy, especially when looking up building and plumbing permit issuances, and especially for accessing the Internet for research. The unit cost approximately $650.

Wired In

Code Enforcement Officer Dennis Ford works the new laptop computer in his office.

Sale Not A Subdivision Expansion

(Lamoine) — Sale of a portion of land adjacent to the Old Schoolhouse subdivision less than five years after approval does not constitute a subdivision according to the town attorney. Tax Assessor Terry Towne raised the issue as the remainder of the original piece of land on which the subdivision was approved was recently split in two. Town Attorney Tony Beardsley, who also drew up the deed for the landowner, advised that because the original landowner remains in residence on the remainder of the lot, the latest split does not constitute an expansion of the Old Schoolhouse subdivision.

Old Home May Be Razed For Subdivision

(Lamoine) — The old farm house at the beginning of Shore Road on Lamoine Corner could be leveled if a proposed subdivision is approved by the Planning Board. The property's new owner, Gene Snow, has submitted a preliminary plan to turn the 18-acre lot into an 8-unit residential subdivision with at least two shorefront lots on the Jordan River.

The Planning Board found the preliminary application complete in June and conducted a site visit on the 24th of the month to see the lay of the land. A Brewer engineering firm is putting the plans together for the subdivision. The initial plan is for a road to access the lots from Shore Road. Tax records show the lot is 130-feet wide at Shore Road, which would conceivably allow for the required right-of-way width and the 15-foot setback from abutting property lines.

Once a final plan is submitted and found complete by the Board, a public hearing will be scheduled followed by Planning Board final action.

CEO May Adjust Hours

(Lamoine) — Code Enforcement Officer Dennis Ford is in discussions with the Selectmen about adjusting his office hours to be in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays and one Saturday a month. Mr. Ford says the change would include a half day in the office and the other half day to perform building and plumbing inspections instead of being constantly on call. A final schedule will be announced, probably in July.

Permit Issuance Brisk

(Lamoine) — Code Enforcement Officer Dennis Ford issued the following permits: