A proposed preschool that was indefinitely tabled by the Planning Board in June may be able to open as a home occupation.

The board revisited the issue Monday night. The business may be able to open as a home-based day care with 12 children rather than the preschool with 20 children that was proposed in June.

Code Enforcement Officer John Hawley said Jill Reed could apply to operate her business under the home occupations standard.

Part of the issue is that the Reed home at 63 Park St. lacks adequate land and road frontage to qualify for a conditional use permit to open a preschool.

In June, the board declined to act on the application because the town’s Zoning and Land Use Ordinance lacks a definition to address preschools. Hawley explained at the time that the town has rules for day care and day-care centers but the preschool definition is vague.

– John Plestina
Poland: Boat houses futures to be settled

Whether either of two boat houses stay or go will be determined by a measurement that will be taken by the code enforcement officer.

The Planning Board decided Tuesday night that David Moyer would be able to retain one or both of his boathouses if they are at least 50 feet from the high water mark. Moyer recently renovated a lakefront camp. Moyer and Code Enforcement Officer Arthur Dunlap will take the measurement.

In other business, a shoreland zoning application from Charles and Dorothy Hamlyn to expand a driveway area was approved.

In another matter, road access for a proposed 14-lot development by Rick Spear was considered. The board asked that the road be shown on a drawing. They also discussed a need for a fire pond and or water storage tanks.

The board also granted preliminary approval of a sketch plan by Steve Cormier for an antique and gift shop at the site of a former bed and breakfast on Route 26.

Also, Ray Marquis received approval for a subdivision at Everett and Harris Hill roads.

– John Plestina
Lisbon: Sewer rate stays level, again

Selectmen on Tuesday approved a sewer rate of $3.95 per 100 cubic feet for the coming year, the same that has been in effect since 1997.

Town Engineer Ryan Leighton presented a “no rate increase” budget of $1,110,231 which included using money carried forward and transferring money from the undesignated fund account. This budget was increased by $60,000 to $1,170,231 by selectmen. It did not impact the $3.95 rate. Board members also agreed to consider a separate bond issue of $290,000 at a later date which would be used to pay the cost of improvements at the treatment plant that will screen grit and dirt.

– Connie Footman
Lisbon: Members invited to workshop

Planning Board and Appeals Board members from the towns of Sabattus and Durham are being invited to participate, along with their counterparts in Lisbon, in a special two-hour training workshop hosted by Lisbon Development Director Dan Feeney July 29 at the Lisbon Town Office.

John Maloney and Fergus Lea from the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments along with Feeney, will review the role of the Planning and Appeals Boards in local government, state laws pertaining to their authority and their duties and responsibilities. For more information, phone Feeney at 353-300, extension 122.

– Connie Footman