The long-term agenda of the proposed land use was questioned by some.
EUSTIS – The thinly populated town of about 685 people found itself Saturday one step closer to closing a major land deal.
Widely considered by townspeople as a positive thing, the proposed land deal would essentially be a swapping of 300 acre plots between S.P. Forest and the town. The original plot of land owned by the town is very out of the way and of no current or important economic use.
“This will be beneficial to all of Eustis,” Selectman Earl L. Wyman Jr. said. “Not only will the land be available for recreation use, but it’s also in a much closer proximity than the original.”
Even though no money will be exchanged in the deal and each plot of land is selectively harvested and contains the same type of timber, some voters were still skeptical. The long-term agenda of the proposed land use was questioned by some, but the suggestion of someone else being able to buy the land for their own intentions sparked voters to pass the article immediately. Use of the land will remain as is, until further options are explored.
The only article in the warrant that didn’t make the cut was the new comprehensive plan. It failed when striking contradictions were pointed out between the town’s two major issues: tourism and industry.
The promotion of commercial business to be placed on Route 27 contradicted the town’s vision of a more tourist friendly environment. A compromising of the aesthetic value of the road would go against the town’s plan to place emphasis on tourism rather than business.
Voters sent the document back to the Planning Board for amendments.
Selectmen John Caldwell and Wyman were re-elected, along with SAD 58 director Sara Woods and Duluth Wing for the Planning Board.
More than 60 people handled the 32 articles in 90 minutes.
Comments are no longer available on this story