TURNER — A new Comprehensive Plan that recommends changes to how riverfront property is zoned was voted down by a large margin during the annual town meeting Saturday.

With 183 voters in attendance at Leavitt Area High School, the proposed Comprehensive Plan failed by a margin of 137 to 43.

Residents have expressed concern over the plan’s recommendations for zoning changes that would allow for expanded use of property along Turner’s riverfront areas, including Riverlands State Park.

According to Town Manager Kurt Schaub, the vote was conducted by secret ballot, and the next steps on the plan have not been determined.

The plan appeared on Saturday’s annual town meeting agenda after it failed by a single vote during a special meeting in August. During that vote, only 35 people attended, and the 200-page, state-approved document was defeated 17-16.

Also on Saturday, voters approved the $3.34 million municipal budget, which represents a $124,656, or 3.7% increase over the current year. Schaub said the increase will be offset by increased revenues.

On Friday, the town held a municipal election for open seats on the Board of Selectmen and other boards.

For the Board of Selectmen, Steve Maheu and Angelo Terreri were reelected to three-year terms, both running unopposed.

Jaime Johnson was elected to the Maine School Administrative District 52 board of directors, also for a three-year term, while Matthew Maloney was reelected to a three-year term on Turner’s Budget Committee.

Two other seats on the Budget Committee were up for election this year but there were no other candidates, so selectmen will consider options, Schaub said.

Turner saw 295 voters turn out for the election Friday.

Mike Gotto, chairman of the Comprehensive Planning Committee, told the Sun Journal this week that during several forums on the plan, the committee heard a lot about outdoor recreation, including highlighting national events that take place in Turner.

“We felt that it made sense to allow for outdoor commercial activities along the resources we have,” he said. He added that the committee also felt the town’s shoreland zoning regulations should be more consistent with state minimum guidelines, which are less restrictive than what the town has in place.

Gotto said that since the planning effort was conducted over several years, the hope was to “put it in front of more people” during a regular town meeting, where turnout would likely be higher. He said since the plan was approved by the state, the committee has since listened to and understands the concerns regarding the plan, but no changes were made.

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Photo: Lisbon man has his work cut out for himself

Next »

Livermore Falls budget panel resigns