Town Meetings 3/5/25
In his Code Enforcement Officer’s Report at Wednesday night’s planning board meeting, Ron Sarol reported he has continued working on a draft of the proposed Land Use Violation Penalty Ordinance and the Dangerous Building Ordinance. He gave the board several examples of a Dangerous Building ordinance to study before the next meeting. He said only two permits were issued since the last meeting.
Letters to the five abutters were sent out for the Blair Hill subdivision, and only one abutter asked to speak to the landowners regarding the project. That project is waiting on a final copy of the survey to move forward.
The board discussed the ongoing proposed zoning changes. Most of these zoning changes would apply along the Greenville Steam Road. Sarol says these changes would allow the landowners several more options for use of their property. Included in this zoning change would be the Hammond Lumber property. Under the current zoning restrictions, they are not able to build anything greater than 5000 square feet. This proposed zoning change would allow for a larger footprint, just for one example. Sarol has one more landowner he would like to contact regarding this zoning change, so the board tabled the discussion for now.
In closing, board member David Case mentioned the deteriorating condition of the bottom of Eveleth Hill. Town Manager Mike Roy said they are waiting on FEMA funds to be released to move forward with the project.
At the beginning of the evening’s select board meeting, John Contreni shared the Planning Board’s proposed setback variance with the selectmen. The Planning Board already voted unanimously to adopt the variance. Select board member Bonnie Dubien suggested a minor change to the drafted amendment, allowing a five-foot setback variance for accessory dwellings instead of the 10 feet originally suggested. Everyone in attendance was agreeable to the change and the motion to amend was adopted. CEO Ron Sarol and PB Chair Contreni added they have several other changes to our land use ordinances coming in the near future, so this particular issue can wait until they are ready to bring all of them to the table.
John Contreni also shared a grant was recently awarded to build a natural playscape on the East side of the new community building and childcare facility where the old elementary building once stood. There was no funding for a play area currently in the budget for the new facility. The grant was submitted in January and Little Schoolhouse Childcare was granted $20,000 for the project. This “playscape” was based on the book, “Quality Outdoor Play Environments.” The natural playscape may include features such as a sandbox, tunnels and slides built into the landscape, and other features that are “Greenville-centric,” such as manhole covers, pieces of discontinued equipment, etc.
In his Manager’s Report, Mike Roy shared he received a call notifying the Town of 22 miles of Route 6/15 reconstruction in Abbot, which will begin this summer and probably go into next year. Additionally, the blinking light in the center of Town is going to be replaced after concern from the DOT about the light being tied into Shaw Block.
$367,052.13 was recently awarded to the Town from FEMA as a reimbursement for damage from the December 2023 storm. Once work has been completed, the Town can submit costs to FEMA for reimbursement up to that amount.
Ten applications for the Town’s Deputy Clerk position have been received. Interviews are ongoing. Seven applicants have shown interest in the open Public Works positions. Only one out of all seven has the correct endorsement, and none have public works experience. Roy and Sarol have been helping out as needed with plowing. Roy shared his appreciation to LaConte for helping out with plowing downtown and other areas, including donating his time and equipment to ensure the school had mounds of snow for its annual Winter Carnival sculptures. Though Tammy Firman has been managing the Town Office largely on her own due to staff shortages and absences, a Town Clerk from Beaver Cove has been called in to help until our absent Town Clerk can return to her post.
Lastly, Roy shared Thursday, July 10 is the date for MMA for a Day.
During the public comment period, Margarita Contreni shared the EDC is going to hold a job fair on Monday, March 31st from 11:30-2 for students and 2:30-4 pm for adults. The job fair will be held at the High School in Guilford. This is open to the entire county.
Contreni also gave an update on the Save the Mountain campaign. She is appreciative of the media coverage. 1.1 million has been raised for the project so far. Waivers from last year showed skiers come from every county in Maine, mostly from Piscataquis, Penobscot and Piscataquis, from 209 towns in Maine, and 14 states! More than half of the skiers were 18 or under. In total, there were approximately 7,500 skiers last season. This past weekend, Friends surpassed 10,000 skiers. They are well on their way to their busiest season yet.