PERU – Fifteen people fired questions at selectmen Tuesday night during a hearing on articles for the annual town meeting warrant.
Jim Pulsifer asked what plan selectmen had if the positions of road commissioner and clerk were changed to appointed from elected at the March 18 meeting.
Chairman Andy St. Pierre said it would be up to the boards in office at the time the present terms ran out.
That answer did not satisfy Pulsifer, who said he wanted to see a plan before he would vote in favor of the change.
The Shoreland Zoning Ordinance amendments met with questioning from Pulsifer, who said parts of it are in conflict with one another.
Selectman Bill Hine said he disagreed.
In one section, it states structures less than 75 feet from the normal high water line are restricted to a maximum floor area of 1,000 square feet. Another section states structures less than 100 feet from the water line are restricted to a maximum of 1,500 square feet, except the areas within the 75-foot distance.
Dennis Thibodeau wanted to know who judged the high water mark and was it consistent all around Worthley Pond.
Dick Powell said the state of Maine was presenting a new shoreland zoning law May 1 that may be more strict.
“The Comprehensive Plan is just making things too strict for us to enjoy our own property, and the town is spreading out due to lot sizes being large,” Clyde Wardwell Jr. said. “You could have more taxes if you made lot sizes smaller for more houses.”
Constance Bragdon said if residents vote not to give $1,500 for the Ludden Memorial Library in Dixfield and the $3,000 for the Rumford Public Library, people will have to start paying $10 or more per person to use the libraries. She said 500 people from Peru now use the libraries.
Pat McClusky of SeniorsPlus said the agency spent $21,500 in Peru last year. It served 1,800 home meals and provided home care for 340 resident. It is asking for $1,287 from the town.
Rosie Bradley of the River Valley Growth Council told how the council helps businesses and said the council hopes to get a $200,000 grant for making the Diamond Match factory environmentally safe for a large business to occupy. The council is asking for $1,500 from the town.
The annual town meeting will begin at 9 a.m. March 18 at the Peru school.
Comments are no longer available on this story