NORRIDGEWOCK — The Norridgewock Planning Board has approved construction of a 12-unit elderly housing project on eight acres of farmland near the Skowhegan town line.

Ground breaking could begin as early as next week on the first three-unit section of Riverside Estates on Skowhegan Road, Planning Board Chairman Theodore Gilliam said Monday.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for both the town and area citizens,” Gilliam said. “It will be four buildings total and each building has three rental units. It’s elderly housing, 55 and up.”

Each apartment will have a garage, storage shed and covered walkway. Each two-bedroom unit will be 1,200 square feet with radiant floor heat fueled by propane.

Gilliam said plans for the project were approved quickly.

“I don’t know anyone on the Planning Board that didn’t want this type of project in our town,” he said. “Any type of commercial development projects are few and far between these days. Norridgewock needs some help; this will spur economic growth by employing construction workers, add to the town’s tax base and provide a safe, modern facility for older individuals to live.”

Gilliam said housing for the elderly is valuable because it meets specific needs of an aging population of people who do not want to maintain a home and want a safe, secure, well-lit place to live.

Town Manager Michelle Flewelling said the project does not need approval by the Board of Selectmen. She said she welcomes the project.

“Any development in the town is always good,” she said.

Mike Sackett of Sackett & Brake surveyors of Madison handled the layout and permitting process for the project for owners Weldon and David Carmichael of Skowhegan. He said Norridgewock planners had to permit the project in two phases, first to change the of use for the land, which already had been approved as a subdivision and later to approve it as a multi-family residential complex.

Sackett said the plans are to make the housing units affordable to fill them up quickly.

Owner Weldon Carmichael of Carmichael & Son Excavation, said the idea of elderly housing makes good business sense.

“In my opinion it will be a tenant that’s going to stay longer,” he said. “As far as I’ve done on my math, compared to the expense, I’m going to try to have them as affordable as I can.” He would not say what the monthly rent will be.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com

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