By Rebecca Goldfine,Staff Writer

NEWRY – About 40 people attended a 30-minute informational meeting at a Newry restaurant Monday evening to learn about a 75-lot subdivision proposed for Sunday River Road.

Dutch Dresser, president of the Sunday River Land Corp., which hopes to create the development called The Colony, said attendees did not raise any concerns but did ask many questions.

The meeting was held at the Phoenix House and Well. The people gathered there were curious about whether there would be more than one entrance – no – if there would be much clear-cutting – again, no – whether there would be covenants governing the building of houses – yes – and whether wetlands would be protected, again, yes.

The next step is to have the Maine Department of Environmental Protection review the plan. At the same time, the developers need to start the public approval process with the Planning Board.

Les Otten, the one-time Sunday River mogul, is the primary principal of the Sunday River Land Corp., Dresser said.

The corporation has owned the land since 1993. The subdivision is part of a major development spurt in the Newry and Bethel area.

Dresser said he expects both of these review processes to be completed in six to seven months, and depending on the outcome, for work to begin on the subdivision by next fall.

The lots will vary in size from one acre to seven acres. Dresser said he expects the homes to be mainly vacation homes.

Copy the Story Link