Having noted drastic changes in the March 2004 projected rezoning map, I, and one other Turner resident, attended the “poorly attended” town meeting on March 18.

We were concerned that plans being made might not be consistent with efforts to preserve Turner as a historic village and a nice place to live. I was concerned about sprawl, warehouse construction, heavy traffic, new zoning that would change large areas of Turner from “rural” to “industrial/commercial” and hints at other negative impact changes in the name of progress and an increased tax base.

I had expected a group of like-minded, caring residents concerned about the town and desiring to preserve its character through planning.

Instead, I found that the handful attending were self-serving, motivated by personal financial gain and without any interest in the town of Turner itself or other residents’ quality of life. Also, it seemed that many of the board members were there for the same purpose.

These attendees had two concerns with the plan: that they might be restricted in the construction of new roads from quiet neighborhoods to their commercial enterprises, and limitations that might be imposed on their new housing projects by restrictions intended to protect designated scenic views.

Those interested in preserving the state’s scenic views, environmental quality and throughways in Turner, such as roads from General Turner Hill/Kennebec Trail to Route 4 and Turner Plaza (Northland Plaza), really need to attend town meetings .
Elisabeth Miller Blackwood, Turner