The Lamoine Public Works Study Committee continued its efforts throughout 2003. In 2002, the Committee had clearly determined that a town public works department was not feasible, at least not at this time. However, the Committee also realized that future conditions could change to the extent that reconsideration certainly would be warranted. Recognizing this fact, as well as the fact that large, centrally-located parcels of land not on the aquifer are rapidly disappearing, the Committee recommended that the Town immediately identify and purchase a suitable parcel of land for a possible future public works complex or for any other public purpose, such as a school or a fire station. The Committee evaluated several parcels, but none came close to ideal. Therefore, in early 2003, the Selectmen decided to continue the search. They also agreed to include an article in the town meeting warrant for limited funds to facilitate evaluation of the best site(s). The March 2003 town meeting appropriated $3,000 for this purpose.

The Committee suspected that there might be a few landowners in town who would be willing to sell all or a portion of their land to the town if asked. Therefore, a letter of explanation and attached questionnaire were developed, reviewed with the Selectmen and sent to a pre-selected group of landowners who owned 20 acres or more. The computerized tax records to identify 138 such parcels. The Committee then eliminated town/state-owned lands; parcels in the residential zone, on the aquifer or in conservation easements; parcels that were extremely remote, very narrow, or not useable due to an irregular shape; parcels known to be wet; and parcels that had been previously evaluated. Ultimately, the letter and questionnaire were sent to 59 individuals who owned 64 potentially acceptable parcels. Responses were received for 28 parcels. Six indicated a possible interest in selling to the town within one year, four indicated a possible interest in selling within 1-5 years, and 18 indicated no interest in selling.

Nine of the 10 “interested in selling” parcels were evaluated in the field. Two of the ten parcels appeared to be better than the best of the parcels evaluated in 2002. The respondent for the first parcel didn't actually own the portion of the parcel that was of most interest to the Committee. Therefore, the Committee asked the apparent actual owner, a corporation, if it would be interested in selling a 20 acre portion of the parcel to the town. An answer has been promised by February 2004.

The second parcel of interest is located behind the Lamoine School, but it is separated from the ball field by a narrow parcel. At the Selectmen’s request, the Committee presently is working with the owners of the narrow parcel to develop a mutually acceptable option that would provide access from the school property to the parcel under consideration. The Committee also is working with the owners of the base parcel to identify the specific portion of the property that they would be willing to sell to the town. The next steps will be to have both properties appraised and soils testing performed on the base parcel, then negotiations can take place with the owners to establish the proposed sale prices. Once these steps are completed, then the proposed purchase(s) will be presented to the Selectmen and, ultimately, to the voters for action.

Respectfully submitted:

Lamoine Public Works Study Committee, Ken Smith, Chairman