By Terry Karkos,Staff Writer

BETHEL – Planners are expected to continue work on three proposed subdivisions at the board’s 7 p.m. meeting today in the municipal building.

Additionally, Verizon Wireless is to introduce plans for a cell tower on Swan Hill Road in East Bethel. If approved, it would be Bethel’s third cell tower.

The largest of the two residential subdivisions, Monarch Circle Estates, is 29.7 acres off Flat Road in west Bethel. Applicant Lakemont Bridge LLC of Naples wants to create 15 lots.

Board Chairman Allen Cressy said Tuesday evening that planners have done considerable work on the proposal.

“The main issue with it concerned the Bethel Water District’s public water supply, which is not too far from the proposed subdivision,” Cressy said.

That’s why the state and a third party reviewed the proposal to ensure that the water supply is protected, he added.

Planners are very familiar with the second proposed residential subdivision, English Woods, albeit not under that name. Cressy said that about a year and a half ago, another developer brought the project before the board as Pleasant Knoll in east Bethel.

Applicant Savage Land Development LLC of Bethel wanted to create 16 lots on 24 acres on Intervale Road. There were issues with it then, regarding the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and whether or not the state had to review it because of its proximity to another subdivision, Cressy said.

However, Pleasant Knoll was sold to another developer before planners could approve it, he added..

Now renamed English Woods, applicant Maine Escape Properties and Homes LLC of Bedford, N.H., wants to develop the same project under a different name.

Despite having already processed the project under a different name, planners have had to again revisit all the issues, Cressy said.

The third subdivision on Wednesday night’s agenda was recently renamed Mayville Junction Condominium from Domenic Pugliares Subdivision.

It is a mixed-use retail and residential project on 5.26 acres. Developer Pugliares of North Andover, Mass., wants to create one building each on two lots in Bethel’s Mayville section off Route 2. Planners have only been working on the project for a month.

The board is to also considering a sign application for Allen Connors of The Bethel Inn Resort.

In other business, there will be a joint session of selectmen and Planning Board members for a public hearing at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 31, in the town office, to hear comments on proposed ordinance amendments.

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