The Minot board detailed the steps to be taken for the Hemonds to come into compliance.
MINOT – Responding to residents who want Hemond’s Moto-X track shut down immediately because of noise problems, selectmen Tuesday night reaffirmed their decision to not interfere with the Planning Board’s current efforts to bring the track into compliance with town ordinance.
“Based on what we learned from our lawyer, we are doing the right thing,” said Board Chairman George “Buster” Downing.
Downing detailed the steps that must be followed starting with the Planning Board’s action giving the Hemonds until November to show how they are going to comply with aspects in the town’s ordinance dealing with noise.
Downing noted that if the Planning Board decides the Hemonds can’t comply, it would then have to ask selectmen to have the code enforcement officer take action.
“It’s a process that takes time,” said Downing.
“We have to give every opportunity for compliance. We cannot walk up there and shut them down; only a judge can shut them down,” added Selectman Eda Tripp.
Selectman Dean Campbell said he had talked with Serae Hemond and learned that the Hemonds had talked with an engineer who thinks they can take necessary steps to comply with the ordinance.
Resident Dick Thayer pointed out that two noise studies have shown the track to be in violation of the ordinance and expressed his displeasure with further delay.
“We’re asking you to comply with the law. You have to meet the laws of the town and you are evading the laws of the town,” said Thayer.
Pam Thayer pointed out that the Hemonds need to verify sound levels on every race day and questioned what was being done to see that they were meeting sound limits, a condition of their permit.
“The permit says that he is responsible for meeting sound levels at every race. The permit is requiring him to do this,” said Pam Thayer.
Road Manager Arlan Saunders reported that work on East Oxford Road was complete. He noted that the road has been widened, particularly in the area of the brook with the travel-way increased from 17 feet to 26 feet.
Saunders gave selectmen copies of a letter from Warren Trundy who requested a reduction in the speed limit. Saunders noted that the improvements have encouraged speeding in the area that really wouldn’t warrant going any more than about the 30 miles an hour that Trundy was requesting.
Selectmen agreed and directed Saunders to contact MDOT requesting that they review the speed limit on East Oxford Road.
Saunders also reported that a total of seven street signs have been stolen in the last few days and that, in two instances, stop signs were removed but later found and reinstalled.
Selectmen resolved to meet in a workshop on Sept. 18 to review the 18 responses that they have received from people interested in filling the town’s recently-posted Town Administrator position. In March, townspeople approved hiring a town administrator, effective Feb. 1, 2004. Selectmen intend to interview and hire by that date.
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