York Town News
Selectmen discuss wetlands study for Bog Road, other issues
By Larry Favinger
YORK - Before any plans for new recreational facilities on the town's Bog Road land can move forward, the Board of Selectmen has agreed that more needs to be known about the property itself.The town and the Swim Center of Southern Maine, which is proposing a swimming facility on Bog Road, have agreed to move forward with a survey to delineate the wetlands on the town's property there.
A skating facility has also been discussed for the property.
Selectman Michael Estes said at the board's meeting Monday night, Oct. 2, that as the discussions of the proposed facilities went forward, it was discovered that there are "more wetlands on Bog Road than the town maps show."
He said because of the setbacks required, the placement of any buildings might have to be re-thought, so it was decided that a firm should be hired to study the property to properly outline where the wetlands are located.
York Parks and Recreation Director Michael Sullivan was tasked with fining such a firm and the subcommittee decided on Woodlot Alternatives, Inc., environmental consultants based out of Topsham, to do the job for $6,790.
Ann Grinnell and Kathryn Strand of the Swim Center of Southern Maine have agreed to pay for one-third of the cost while the local committee that is spearheading an effort with the MacLaughlin Management Group seeking to bring a skating facility to the site is discussing taking part in funding the survey as well.
Selectmen Vice Chairman Dwight Bardwell noted that once the study is complete, the town will have a master plan for the area, stating the town should pay for at least one-third of the survey.
The selectmen voted to take two-thirds of the cost from the contingency fund with the understanding that if the skating rink proposal goes forward, that group would reimburse the town one-third of the total cost.
"We can't move much until we do this," Bardwell said, adding that, once completed, the town will know exactly what it has at the site.
Chairman David Marshall agreed.
"This is land we own," he said. "It is something we need," adding that if any group should jump in to put a facility on that land they will be expected to pay their share of the cost.
The motion to expend no more than $4,528 was approved unanimously.
DIVERSITY DAY
Friday, Oct. 6, has been designated Diversity Day by the York Diversity Forum.
Carol Davis of the forum told the selectmen there is an exhibit at the York Public Library concerning diversity and that day has been set aside to "celebrate who we are - no matter who we are."
WRONG WARRANT
Former Selectman Ron Nowell told the board that the warrant that has been posted for the Nov. 7 election is wrong because changes have been made since its posting.
Selectmen were informed later in the meeting that the revised warrant will be posted in the near future.
Nowell also said that proposed changes in the town's Comprehensive Plan will result in language reflecting the Route 1 corridor zone on the easterly side of Route 1 and the map showing the zone on both sides of the highway.
Selectmen did not address that situation at Monday's meeting.
COMMITTEE LEFT WONDERING
Windol Weaver, chairman of the Budget Committee, asked the selectmen why a representative of that board was not asked to serve on the Municipal Building Committee that is being formed to oversee town building projects.
"We're not going to the mat, but we feel like we should be represented," Weaver said.
Selectmen said the finances for the project would go to the Budget Committee at some point, giving that group an opportunity to approve the plan and that the meetings of the committee will be open to the public and to members of the Budget Committee to monitor.
The selectmen named Marshall and Estes to serve on the committee with members of the public and a representative from the School Committee.
NOTIFICATION IN THE WORKS
Town Manager Rob Yandow told the selectmen work is beginning on a process to notify local property owners impacted by changes in zoning that combine small, contiguous, nonconforming lots into sing properties.
Part of the work will be done by computer, he said, with the rest accomplished manually by going through the town's paper records.
The combining of nonconforming lots under the same ownership without notice has been at the core of several disputes before the Appeals Board. A change in the town ordinance impacting lots of 10,000 square feet or more is on the November ballot. State law mandates the consolidation of lots of less than 20,000 square feet.
PROPOSAL APPROVED
The selectmen unanimously approved a proposal to expand Sewall's Dock at 2 Seabury Road two feet into the river and to strengthen the pier to make it more accessible and useable for commercial fishing.
A public hearing was held at the site prior to the proposal coming to the board for final approval.
In other business, the Board of Selectmen scheduled an executive session prior to the meeting to begin the town manager's annual evaluation process. No action was taken following that session as the process is ongoing.
