PERU – Representatives from the River Valley Growth Council gave Peru selectmen a heads up on a new law referred to as Pine Tree Zoning on Monday night.

The recently passed legislation is written to attract out-of-state businesses to Maine by offering them tax incentives. Maine has eight zones available and those eight zones could have 20 sites within the zone with a 5,000-acre cap per zone. The sites must be contiguous within the zone and have water and sewer available.

The application process for the state to designate an area a Pine Tree Zone will take place between now and Dec. 21 and will require the cooperation of affected landowners and the municipalities. There are two or three sites in the River Valley being considered.

According to Scott Christiansen of the River Valley Growth Council, “This is the most powerful development tool to come along in a long time and if we can get a site in the River Valley, there is a strong likelihood that businesses will be attracted.”

In other selectmen actions, building permits were approved for John Derouche for a shed and roof addition, Lee Chouinard for replacing an entry porch and James Prue for an addition to his home.

Bill Hine was reappointed to the River Valley Growth Council for a two-year term.

The Adelphia contract was not approved as written and is still under consideration.

Town Clerk Vera Parent reported that she has sent out liens on delinquent taxpayers and the list was shorter than she has ever seen.

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