YORK - From a farewell to one of its own to a proposal to donate one piece of town-owned land to Habitat for Humanity, the current Board of Selectmen's final meeting was anything but a quiet one.

"Habitat" plan questioned

The Board of Selectmen is considering donating an approximately half-acre parcel of town-owned property, located at 8 Hemlock Ave., to Habitat for Humanity to provide one affordable housing option.

At the public hearing on May 12, several residents and property owners on Hemlock Avenue expressed concern about the plan, citing such issues as a decrease in value for surrounding houses and the condition of this private road.

Some abutters suggested the land be sold to the neighborhood instead.

Ultimately, the selectmen did not take action on the transfer but agreed to present more information to Habitat for Humanity in order to ensure that if the transfer does occur, the resident of the new house will be expected to contribute to the upkeep of the private road.

Selectmen also suggested having a Habitat for Humanity representative attend an upcoming meeting to provide information to residents and abutters on the organization and how it provides affordable housing for residents, one house at a time.

Vice Chairman David Marshall noted that the town's Comprehensive Plan recommends just such transfers to Habitat for Humanity, and Selectwoman Kinley Gregg stressed that state law requires the town to provide affordable housing.

The discussion will continue at a future meeting.

Surf Zone stays

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Sullivan updated the Board of Selectmen on last year's efforts to address surfing and swimming safety on Long Sands Beach with a provision to expand the surf zone on days when the water is perfect for surfing but perhaps not so safe for swimming.

All in all, Sullivan said, he was disappointed by the lack of cooperation between beachgoers and surfers.

Although he stressed that most surfers do abide by the rules, he noted that just as there are surfers who do not stay within the surf zone there are also swimmers who refuse to move from the surf zone.

Sullivan said he was "naïve about the spirit of cooperation between user groups in a confined area like that" but recommended the process remain in place to be tested again this summer.

"We hoped for more," he said, abut added, "I don't think there are any dramatic reasons why we should change anything going into this next year."

The selectmen agreed to leave the current plan in place for the season ahead and requested a report from Recreation Department staff and the York police in the fall.

Bardwell's farewell

The May 12 meeting marked the final one for Selectman Dwight Bardwell, who has decided not to run again after three years on the board.

During the meeting, selectmen praised him for his years of service to the town. Prior to being elected selectman, Bardwell had served on the School Committee for seven years.

"It's been a pleasure serving with you. I think the town is losing a very powerful public servant," said Selectmen Chairman Mike Estes.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Elizabeth Bardwell spoke of her husband's service as their three young children watched from the audience.

"People feel they know Dwight from watching him... and they do," she said, adding, "It is important to work for democracy, to be involved. He taught our kids that."

However, she said, "One person should not stay too long... We all have to participate, and so he has, but now it is someone else's turn. ... Congratulations, Dwight. You've worked very hard and done a good job."

Elizabeth Bardwell's words were followed by applause from those in attendance at the meeting.

Appointment process criticized

Following an extended discussion on the process used to appoint members to the board of York Housing - including a letter submitted by Selectman Ted Little, who was unable to attend the meeting, urging the board to wait before choosing one of four candidates to that board - the selectmen voted 4-0 to appoint Tina Lafleur-Johnson.

Estes, too, had recommended tabling the decision to gather more information form York Housing, but his fellow selectmen disagreed.

Ultimately, he voted in favor of the appointment itself, but spoke out against the process.

"The candidates are excellent. The process stinks," Estes said. "It wasn't the process we agreed to."

In other business

Also at the meeting, the board heard a report from Sullivan on increased revenue in the new lease for an existing wireless communication tower on Mount Agamenticus and accepted a forfeiture of a motor vehicle to the York Police Department as the result of a drug case.

Other action included approving a revised memorandum of understanding for the Woodside Meadows Estate subdivision and scheduled a public hearing on a petition related to that project for June 9; appointing Benjamin McDougal to the York Code Enforcement Office and naming David N. Ott as warden for the June 10 primary.