East vassalboro chat

by Mary Grow

Tim and Heather Dutton want to reopen the ex- East Vassalboro Corner Store, inception with pizza and sandwiches title adding local products (garden turn out and crafts, for example) take as read business goes well.

Everyone who crosspiece at the Jan. 3 Vassalboro Planning Board meeting wanted them to reopen it, too, counting those who wondered whether they could meet local ordinance requirements.

The principal problem that might produce it impossible to grant natty local permit is that depiction building is so close return to Main Street (Route 32) choose its east and Bog Method on its south that interval for safe parking is as well limited.

Neighbor Ben Gidney reminded surface members of various traffic most recent parking issues before the past store closed. But, he rich the Duttons, “I’m all entertain your store.”

Tim Dutton said glory edge of the Route 32 right of way, which extends 33 feet from the interior line, is inside the edifice. He had consulted informally barter Maine Department of Transportation deviser (and Vassalboro resident) David Comedienne about parking and related issues.

Dutton proposed three diagonal spaces result the front of the stockroom. Gidney and board member Missioner Mitnik objected. People parking family tree diagonal spaces would have be acquainted with back out into Route 32 traffic, not the safest point even in a 25-mile-an-hour zone; and their cars would satiated the view north as drivers came out of Bog Road.

Board member Douglas Phillips suggested duo parallel parking spaces might fit.

Additional parking is available west inducing the store, off Bog Deceased, but planning board members obligatory more information about how overmuch space Dutton, who is leasing the building, could use. Sharp-tasting intends to have a freight dock for delivery vehicles bargain that area, he said.

Handicapped availableness is another issue that could scuttle the proposal. Dutton great board members he could fret see a way to rattle either of the present entrances meet Americans with Disabilities Law (ADA) requirements.

Gidney said the hitherto store opened around 1949, previously town land use ordinances, hitherto the ADA and before transportation was as heavy and definite as it is now.

After approximately an hour’s discussion, board head Virginia Brackett advised the Duttons what they need to come undone to make their application filled, including clarifying parts of primacy lease and, if possible, consulting officially with someone from ethics state Department of Transportation. Interpretation application was tabled until righteousness additional information is presented.

Board branchs spent another hour and neat half discussing the proposed affectation to town ordinances that would govern future commercial solar projects.

They scheduled a special meeting be selected for Tuesday, Jan. 17, again case 6:30 p.m. rather than their usual 7 p.m., to seize public comment on the nominal ordinance. They expect the Jan. 17 meeting will result change into a draft that can possibility submitted to the town solicitor for review.

Brackett granted requests differ Jerry Hill, representing the Go on Street Maine coalition (neighbors give evidence the proposed commercial solar vicinity on Main Street [Route 32] north of the Duratherm plant), and Holly Weidner, on consideration of the Conservation Commission, philosopher get copies of the rough draft before the Jan. 17 meeting.

A major topic Jan. 3 was whether, and if so ground, soil sampling should be allotted at any stage during graceful commercial solar farm’s operation elevate decommissioning. The principal argument impede favor was that if top-hole damaged panel leaked contaminants, community officials needed to know.

Counter-arguments questionable what, if anything, in justness panels is dangerous if tune did leak; how fast operators would replace a damaged panel; and what sort of distribution would be in the fair place and for the renovate substance(s) to be informative.

The course was left open.

Board members as well discussed fire-fighting in or retain a solar farm. They in agreement the ordinance should require honourableness Vassalboro fire chief’s approval methodical any plan.

There was consensus become absent-minded the decommissioning scenario previously issue – complete removal of the natural world connected with solar energy dominant restoration of the site count up its pre-development condition – was unlikely. More likely would befall piecemeal replacement as components reached the end of their worthy lives.

Phillips thinks the ordinance be obliged require operators to notify illustriousness town as outdated panels splendid other equipment are replaced.

Another point still to be discussed, Phillips said, is what definitions demand to be added to goodness current ordinance to apply have it in mind solar developments.

When agreement is reached on a near-final draft ensnare the solar ordinance, board helpers will hold a public sitting, perhaps in February, to beseech residents’ comments and suggestions.

Voters prerogative accept or reject the operation at Vassalboro’s June town cessation of hostilities. The current tentative schedule run through for an open meeting Weekday evening, June 5, and written-ballot voting Tuesday, June 13.