PIERCE POND TOWNSHIP – The Land Use Regulation Commission on Wednesday approved Nestle Waters North America’s application to build a pumping station near Pierce Pond.

After more than three hours of testimony and discussion, the commission voted 7-1, with one member abstaining, to give Poland Spring the go-ahead to begin construction at the site in Somerset County. Commissioner Ed Laverty recused himself, citing a possible conflict of interest.

Poland Spring is owned by Nestle Waters North America Inc.

Rebecca Kurtz, commissioner from Rangeley, cast the only negative vote. According to LURC Director Catherine Carroll, Kurtz thought Poland Spring should offer some concessions to the opposing residents, such as reducing the hours of operation and, thereby, the number of trucks that would travel through the area.

Speaking against the proposal were residents living along Long Falls Dam Road, the access road to the site near Pierce Pond in the Bigelow Preserve. Homeowners from Lexington, Highland Plantation and North New Portland, through which 20 to 40 trucks a day will be rolling, were upset about more truck traffic along the road, saying it would be dangerous and disturb the peace.

Resident and local activist Jonathan Carter said in a telephone interview Friday that the opposing group is looking at the possibility of appealing the decision with a Superior Court injunction.

“LURC had no right to approve this without a public hearing,” he said.

In favor of the application were Alison Hagerstrom of the Greater Franklin Development Corp., who felt that the project might open the doors for development of a Poland Spring bottling plant in Franklin County, which has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state.

In a telephone interview Friday, Tom Brennan, a licensed hydrogeologist representing Poland Spring, said the company is actively seeking a bottling plant site in Franklin or Somerset County but could not disclose any details. If a plant were developed it could bring 200 to 250 jobs to the area, he said.

Brennan said the company hopes to form the promised traffic management committee next week. It will consist of residents, representatives from the Maine Department of Transportation, and Poland Spring.

“That, for us, is a priority,” he said. “We can then demonstrate that we will be good neighbors and not just talk about it,” he continued.

He also said the company plans to speak with school officials in North New Portland to ascertain what they can do to help there with financial donations.

Poland Spring had planned to have already started construction of the pump building. They hope to begin construction next week.

jhausen@sunjournal.com

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