MINOT – West Minot resident Ben Santos told selectmen Monday night that he was concerned residents may have false notions from the public meetings on the comprehensive plan.
Some people, Santos indicated, seem to have the idea that if the comprehensive plan is approved, it couldn’t be amended and the town would be locked into it for 10 years.
“I found out we can amend it any time any way we want,” Santos said.
He explained that he contacted Frank Hample at the State Planning Office, who confirmed that the plan update was “considered a town policy document, which can be amended by the citizens of Minot as they see fit and as they redo their ordinances to match the plan.”
Selectman Eda Tripp agreed that approval of the plan is just a starting point.
“Nothing is written in gold until the ordinance is corrected, and we may have to amend the plan to adjust it to what we want for ordinances,” she said.
Selectman Steve French said he had encountered misconceptions regarding the size of lots being recommended in the revised plan. French noted that the idea of having half-acre lots was restricted to what are called “village zones,” and then only if the soils prove suitable. But that some had the idea the town might have half-acre lots anywhere in town.
Town Administrator Rhonda Irish said she had heard some believed that all new lots in town would have to have five acres.
Irish reported that, in the last few days, she had handed out about 20 copies of the plan which, if read carefully, would show recommended minimum-lot sizes ranging from one-half to two to five acres, appropriate to the future land use plans for various areas of town.
In other business, Road Manager Arlan Saunders reported he had recently met with one of Hebron’s selectmen to review that town’s summer road program and how the two towns could work together again this year.
“Also, they want to buy a wood chipper, something we don’t have, and would like to possibly swap off with us for the use of our mower. Pretty good deal for both of us,” said Saunders.
Fire Chief Steve French told selectmen he would open bids on a new pumper/tanker fire truck Thursday and will present cost options at Saturday’s town meeting.
Selectmen approved the Community Club’s request to hold a basket bingo on March 25 at the Minot Consolidated School and also agreed to allow the telephone company to string a line across the open field portion of the town-owned William Ladd lot on Jackson Hill Road. The line feeds Peter Theriault’s new woodworking shop.
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