Board OKs tax incentive financing consulting pact

DIXFIELD — Selectmen on Monday unanimously authorized Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky to sign a letter of agreement with a consulting firm that would provide information on tax incentive financing for wind farm development.

According to a proposed letter of agreement from the Eaton Peabody Consulting Group LLC, of Augusta, the company would introduce town officials to TIFs and Maine law, define the boundaries of a TIF district to maximize benefits for the town, provide recommendations on credit enhancement terms, develop and plan a timeline and hold the appropriate public meetings to assist the town in its decision-making.

Those services would cost up to $12,000. Other phases of a potential agreement between Eaton Peabody and the town would go forward only if both the town and Patriot Renewables LLC, the firm that is proposing the development of a wind farm, agree.

Skibitsky was discussing the consultant's fee with a representative from Patriot Renewables on Tuesday afternoon but had not yet received a letter of agreement by Tuesday night. He said he expects the company to agree with the proposal and will likely receive a letter to that effect within the next few days.

Prior to the board's decision, resident Colleen Martineau said the town didn't need a consultant, but someone from the state to explain, at no cost, tax incentive financing.

"It's a nightmare what's happening in Roxbury. You're going down the same road. Why not take their (Patriot Renewables) money and hire whoever you like," she said.

Another resident, Dan McKay, said the town didn't have to tie itself up with the wind farm company. He also said that since the town has a six-month moratorium before any kind of wind farm development can begin, taking action on the letter from Eaton Peabody was a violation of the moratorium.

Skibitsky said Tuesday that representatives from Eaton Peabody will likely meet with the town board in December or January, then work would begin soon after.

"This is to educate the board on what a TIF would do," he said.

In other business, the board also authorized Skibitsky to work with Androscoggin Valley Council of Government's planner, John Maloney, to develop a site plan review ordinance.

"The wind mills have opened our eyes that there could be big development in this town," he said, adding that the need for a site plan review ordinance is not related to the wind farm proposal.

If any part of the town's Comprehensive Plan must be amended, Skibitsky said he and Maloney would also review that. Once a new ordinance is written, it would be presented to the board, then go to public hearing before being acted on by voters.

In other matters, selectmen appointed Anne Simmons-Edmunds as a reserve police officer. She is also the town's animal control officer and has completed the 100-hour reserve officer training program at the Maine Police Academy.

eadams@sunjournal.com