JAY – Selectmen signed a Pine Tree Zone resolution Monday to help attract businesses.

The state is offering economic development benefits to businesses in an effort to create new jobs.

Residents voted in April to adopt zones in North Jay on the Wilton line and in the Ames and Jay Family Restaurant area.

Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington owns 33 acres in North Jay and Wilton at the intersection of routes 2 and 4 with the “lion’s share of land” in Jay, Town Manager Ruth Marden told selectmen.

In the other zone in Jay, there are 148 acres, including 49 acres owned by the town, 41 acres owned by Lionel Dubord and 56 acres owned by Jose Diaz.

Selectman Parker Kinney asked if there have been leads or interest in the properties.

“They come in and they go,” Marden said. Nothing has taken hold so far.

“The Greater Franklin Development Corp. and (Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments) will be working pretty hard to market these zones,” Marden said.

The two groups are also marketing other areas in Franklin County, including the Phillips-Van Heusen’s Bass distribution center complex. The Wilton Development Corp. is also working on that project.

In the 11-minute meeting, selectmen also approved:

• Five pinball license renewals for Hillside Sports Club, Lane-Dube AMVETS, Frank L. Mitchell VFW, Steppin’ Out and Ma Ducks.

• Two special entertainment licenses for LaFleur’s Restaurant and Frank L. Mitchell VFW.

• Reappointment of Arthur Holman to the Board of Appeals.

• Setting their next meeting for Monday, June 21, unless a meeting is needed sooner.

The board closed the public session to enter executive sessions to do annual evaluations with some department heads.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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