NEW GLOUCESTER – The Planning Board heard strong public reaction this week to an application for a gravel pit operation off Outlet Road.

About 50 people attended the 90-minute hearing, which ended with the board determining the application was incomplete and proper legal notice may not have been given to abutters.

Duane Maschino and Sons has applied to operate a 12-acre pit on 70 acres that is landlocked. The United Society of Shakers at Sabbathday Lake has provided an easement for an approximate 2,000-foot access way to the pit from Outlet Road.

Outlet Road wraps around the northern end of the lake next to Outlet Beach, and the pit access road would be opposite the beach and near the origin of the Royal River.

Becky Delaney leases land from the Shakers and owns the snack bar at Outlet Beach.

“There is a lot of value to the community from the land I lease from the Shakers,” she said. “I don’t believe it’s compatible with the recreation area.”

She said her major objection is traffic in an area posted at 25 mph but not enforced.

“My snack bar is 100 feet from the entrance road. My screens won’t screen out dirt,” she said.

Lillian Nayder, who lives off the Outlet Road said, “I think it’s a terrible idea to bring gravel trucks out of the woods and onto the Outlet Road by the Outlet Beach, the head of the Royal River.

“This is the most densely populated neighborhood on Sabbathday Lake and one in which the houses are closest to the road, which divides many of the homes from the water. There are homes on one side of Outlet Beach and docks and the other. Pedestrians and boaters are crossing that road continually in the summer and fall.”

She said if the operation brings three gravel trucks per hour, 13 hours a day, six days a week, there would be 294 trucks per week or 15,288 trucks per year.

Kathy Cruz of Lakeview Drive said, “There is insufficient parking during the summer, and pedestrians and bicyclists and boaters use the area. Also, she said, parts of the road have no shoulders.”

Lori Fowler said since March 1996, $292,000 has been used to prevent storm water from entering the lake. Every time it rains or snow melts, pollutants such as soil, nutrients, bacteria, oils and heavy metals are swept from the land, she said.

Henry Nichols, executive director of the Royal River Conservation Trust, told the board to “hold the highest possible standards.”

Brother Arnold Hadd of the Shaker community told the group that the society has been in the area for the past 223 years.

“Please don’t close down our pit, we need the money,” he told the board.

Michelle Groleau lives in a cottage on leased Shaker land.

“It’s a place of magic,” she said. “We have spent $30,000 to change our front lawn by plantings to prevent storm water runoff. Once you go forward,” she cautioned, “you don’t go back.”

The board drew up a list of concerns to be addressed before beginning deliberations. Another public hearing may be held if it is determined proper public notice was not given to abutters.