MINOT – Selectmen on Monday night were asked to disregard the Planning Board’s recommendation that Hemond’s Moto-X track be given until July to come into compliance with the town’s noise ordinance.

Calling the Planning Board’s recommendation “a biased decision, based on friendship,” Center Minot Hill Road resident Ken Champagne said, “The Hemonds have had sufficient time to reduce the noise and they haven’t done anything.” Last summer, the Planning Board, responding to complaints, gave the Hemonds until November to come up with a plan to reduce the noise.

Last week, Gregory Cunningham presented Donald and Serae Hemond’s plan for noise abatement to the Planning Board. He explained that sound-absorbing hay-bale barriers will be placed along critical sections of the track and the Hemonds may alter the course to make use of a natural low pocket in the field. The Hemonds would have the abatement measures in place when the motor bike racing season opens in May.

The Planning Board agreed to recommend the Hemonds be given until the first Tuesday in July, the board’s meeting date, to demonstrate that noise from the track can be kept within ordinance limits of 55 decibels at property lines.

Selectman Susan Geismar expressed disappointment that abatement efforts didn’t include requiring mufflers to snuff the noise at its source.

“I don’t think the Planning Board was justified in giving them until July,” said Geismar.

Geismar suggested selectmen ignore the Planning Board’s advice and tell Code Enforcement Officer Ken Pratt to proceed with enforcement action.

Woodman Hill Road resident Dennis DeCoster, upset with the wrangling that’s been going on the better part of the year, suggested that townspeople be asked to vote on whether to allow racing.

“One vote and it will be over and done with,” said DeCoster.

Jackass Annie Road resident Beverly Bressler asked, “Do you want to be known as a town that allows this noise?”

Selectmen, in accordance with their policy of considered response, agreed to take under advisement the Planning Board recommendation and the comments heard, and to discuss the matter more fully at the board’s Nov. 24 meeting.

School Superintendent Nina Schlikin gave selectmen an update of efforts to develop a future strategic plan that will “help Union 29 become the best school system in Maine.”

Schlikin said she is seeking community volunteers to serve on various task force committees that will work toward this end.

Responding to questions on the search for a new location for the Union 29 central office, Schlikin told the board she expects a recommendation from the search committee at this Thursday’s meeting.

Meeting with Road Manager Arlan Saunders, selectmen learned there is a problem with the access to Butler Hill Road from Minot Avenue caused by the reconstruction project. Saunders said school busses come close to hanging up as they proceed up the hill. Work to correct the problem must be done this week, he said.

In other business, selectmen signed the Municipal/County Collaborative Partnership resolution, a commitment to seek ways to save taxpayer dollars through joint purchasing and interlocal agreements to deliver critical services and, at the request of Town Office personnel, agreed to close the office on Friday, Dec. 26. The day will be taken by employees as vacation time.