Roland Lavallee of HNTB Engineering shows a "doodle" on an aerial view of the York Toll Plaza as an example of what reconstructing the plaza in the area of its current location might look like while Selectwoman Kinley Gregg, York Water District Superintendent Don Neumann and Think Again members Randy Small and Joan Jarvis look on.
Photo by Jennifer L. Saunders
YORK BEACH - When the Maine Turnpike Authority came to town on May 15, its representatives pledged to local officials, residents and members the grassroots organization Think Again that they are conducting a full examination into the feasibility of the existing site for any upgrades to the York Toll Plaza.
However, after reviewing an aerial shot of the current site illustrated what officials from the MTA and their engineering firm, HNTB, described as "doodles" showing a reconstruction of the tollbooth in its current area taking many homes - and even the York County Courthouse - several residents said they are skeptical of that pledge.
When the Board of Selectmen had its first meeting after that session, Selectwoman Kinley Gregg described the "doodle" as "just a scare tactic, basically. ... That doodle that took out Whippoorwill."
Selectman Ted Little agreed, reiterating York's commitment that no homes or land be taken.
MTA and HNTB officials stressed on May 15 that their presentation was just to give a sense of what would be needed to meet all the criteria recommended by the National Highway Administration for a new high-speed tolling plaza, telling residents they have heard that the people of York do not want to see the plaza moved.
As Board of Selectmen Chairman Mike Estes put it during the meeting at the York Beach Fire Station, "This whole fight has always been about we're not going to allow you to take people's land. Do it where it is, but safer. We will save a lot of heartache for everyone."
Two days later, York residents voiced overwhelming opposition to the MTA's current plan, supporting a nonbinding referendum at the polls on May 17 against any toll relocation that results in the taking of homes or land.
The MTA first announced plans in February to replace the York Toll Plaza at one of four possible sites that could result in the loss of up to eight local homes. Following multiple meetings in York and Augusta, the May 15 meeting was scheduled.
When the Board of Selectmen held its regular meeting four days later, Vice Chairman David Marshall said this most recent step - focusing on the current site - is a step in the right direction, and he remains cautiously optimistic.
"I would certainly commend the Maine Turnpike Authority board" for recommending that action, he said. "I think it was a great step."
However, he said, concerns remain "that the turnpike's staff people may still be looking for ways to further make their point that it can't be done at that site. ... We hope this isn't lip service."
In the meantime, Rep. Dawn Hill, D-York, has announced that Maine's Right to Know Advisory Committee will consider her request to examine why Maine law prohibits the public from accessing information relating to highway construction projects under the MTA.
"It is puzzling to me why there would be a statutory exemption for these engineering estimates," Hill said. "While I certainly understand the need for confidentiality during the bidding process, I am perplexed why this information could never be released to the public."
The committee had scheduled a meeting for May 28 in Augusta, but no information was available at press time. More about Maine's Right to Know Advisory Committee is available at www.maine.gov/legis/opla/righttoknow.htm.
In the week ahead, members of Think Again, Town Manager Rob Yandow and the Board of Selectmen will again meet on the toll relocation issue, this time with several state legislators - including Maine Transportation Committee Chairman Sen. Dennis Damon and Sen. Peter Bowman, D-Kittery - on June 2 at 4 p.m. at the York Public Library.
"We will be discussing LD 534," explained Joanne Muckenhoupt of Think Again, which was sponsored by Rep. Windol Weaver, R-York, in 2007, directing the Maine Turnpike Authority to study any the relocation of the York Toll Plaza and report back to the Legislature. "It should be very interesting."
