OTISFIELD – Zoning issues with Otisfield lakes raised some hackles at Wednesday night’s selectmen’s meeting.

Rick Micklon, spokesman for the town Planning Board, presented selectmen with a letter recommending a $2,500 fine against Charles Grasso, who reconstructed a bunkhouse on his property without a permit. Selectmen agreed to the fine.

“I think $2,500 is very lean,” protested Selectman Tom Nurmi. “What was done down there is a travesty and we need a higher fine.” Nurmi did agree to the fine as recommended.

Selectman Mark Cyr said at the March 7 meeting that future fines for permit violations could reach $10,000. He is advocating that some of the money from Grasso’s fine be used to raise awareness of permit issues in the town.

Micklon also gave selectmen several photos of a cabin built on Lake Thompson by Ron Lawton, a summer resident and Grasso’s neighbor. The cabin was rebuilt without a town or state permit. The Planning Board will decide how to act in the matter over the next two meetings and present recommendations to the selectmen.

Otisfield residents were especially concerned about action being taken in a similar incident that occurred at Sam’s Landing on Saturday Pond last year. The town owns a small parcel of land and boat ramp on the pond.

“It’s basically a dead issue,” Cyr said. “It’s surprising that it came up.”

Tom Kennison of Kennison Real Estate and Dale Verrill had sought permission from the town and Maine Department of Environmental Protection to improve the landing. After waiting two weeks for DEP approval, which was denied twice, the men started work on the landing without selectmen’s knowledge.

“The work they did was, by all standards, unacceptable,” Micklon said.

Otisfield restored the landing with money generated from tax-acquired property. Small improvements, such planting shrubs and establishing picnic tables have been approved by the DEP.

Selectmen were reluctant to proceed on the issue, arguing that it would cost the town more to take the matter to court than it would be able to recoup. One resident said the issue is being swept under the rug. Another said the town should not let the issue expire after fining Grasso for a permit violation.

Selectmen said that the issues were incomparable and that they will decide what action to take after figuring out the total costs of restoration at Sam’s Landing.

The agenda included discussion on the need for a conservation committee in the town. During the time allotted for public questions, residents strongly recommended approving such a committee.

Selectmen spoke on the need for a state-approved comprehensive plan before any major action is taken in forming a committee. However, the board did take a tentative step toward such an organization. Cyr volunteered to write up information to gather applications to serve on the conservation committee.

Among other issues brought to the selectmen’s attention was Otisfield fire Chief Mike Hooker’s request for them to approve a grant application. The grant will let the town consolidate its firefighting equipment and retire two vehicles.

The next selectmen’s meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 4 at the Otisfield Town Office on Route 121.