NORRIDGEWOCK — The town’s Planning Board is currently reviewing two applications for subdivisions: one on Bigelow Hill Road and another on Red Barn Road.

Town Manager Richard LaBelle addressed the Select Board on Wednesday to notify them of the projects and where they currently stand. In an email on Friday, LaBelle said that the town hasn’t seen a subdivision application “in over six years.”

The project outlined in the application from Debbie and Randy Murray is located in the vicinity of 141 Bigelow Hill Road. The application from Brian Rhea of Swift River Properties is for a subdivision on Red Barn Road, on approximately 38 acres. It would create eight lots located on the northern side of the road.

“The preliminary plan review process could theoretically be completed in one meeting,” LaBelle said, “but will more likely take at least two or three meetings to properly review the material, seek clarification and have additional information submitted.”

He told the Select Board that the Bigelow Hill Road project will be discussed at the Planning Board’s regular meeting Sept. 9. The Red Barn Road project will be discussed at a special meeting Sept. 14, also at 6 p.m. at the town office at 16 Perkins St.

The applicants behind the subdivisions must submit all necessary documents at least 14 days before the meetings so that nearby property abutters can be notified.

In other business, the Planning Board is looking for the public’s feedback on a digital signage ordinance, following the installation of a digital sign in downtown Norridgewock.

LaBelle said that the Planning Board asked him to help initiate a survey. He said that Planning Board member John Ames was the one to initiate the discussion and was “very much centered on his opposition to the town-owned signboard already located at Main and Mechanic.”

The survey “is really specific to downtown, but in general to whether or not an ordinance should be established,” LaBelle said.

The Planning Board will not consider any action on creating an ordinance until they have the same response that is required of a petition.

At least 146 signatures are required to certify petitions in Norridgewock. On Friday morning, LaBelle reported that 109 surveys have been completed, 105 of which were submitted by Norridgewock residents.

“Of the total submitted to date, the overwhelming majority support the digital signboard at the corner of Main and Mechanic,” LaBelle said. “By a margin of 15 points, respondents are opposed to developing an ordinance regulating digital signs.”

Links to the survey can be found on the town’s Facebook page and on the its website. LaBelle said Wednesday evening that the survey would be online “for a few more days.” There is no specific date on when the survey would end.

Meanwhile, officials have set the tax rate for the new fiscal year. LaBelle reported at Wednesday’s Select Board meeting that bills were mailed earlier this week, reflecting a tax rate of $13.25 per $1,000 of property valuation. That’s the same rate as the previous year. According to LaBelle, this “represents the lowest mill rate in Norridgewock since 1998.”

Tax payments are due Sept. 21, he said.

The town announced it has absentee ballots available for the Maine School Administrative District 54 bond referendum to be held Aug. 31. People can vote in-person from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the town office.

The school-bond question asks whether or not to allow the district to issue bonds for school construction and improvement projects. The amount is not to exceed $6,970,00 districtwide. The money will be used for additions to the middle school, expanded broadband capability and other renovations at the elementary schools in the district, including Mill Stream Elementary in Norridgewock.

A sample ballot can be found on the town’s website.

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Appalachian Trail thru-hiker prepares for his next adventure – kindergarten

Next »

Brandi Carlile concert at Thompson’s Point postponed until Aug. 27