Norway extends moratorium along Crooked River another 180 days

NORWAY — The Select Board has unanimously approved extending the moratorium along the Crooked River for another 180 days, preventing action on any applications for building or land development.

The request was made by Dennis Gray, chairman of the Planning Board, which has been reviewing Zoning and Shoreland Ordinances along the river, a major spawning area for landlocked salmon in Sebago Lake.

The moratorium prevents any town official from acting on any application for land clearing, excavation, filling, timber harvesting, building new structures or expanding or relocating existing structures within the 250-foot shoreland zone next to the Crooked River. It also extends the 100-foot setback to 250 feet to match other towns along the Crooked River.

When the original moratorium was first proposed in August, one resident called the Crooked River the second most important river for landlocked salmon in the state, behind the West Branch Penobscot River.

The original moratorium expires next month.

The extension, Gray said, allows the Planning Board to continue its work and present the proposed land-use changes at the annual town meeting in June instead of at a special meeting where traditionally fewer people attend.

In other business at the Dec. 21 meeting, the board accepted the donation of land by the Norway Branch Railroad. The rail trail has been used for hiking and other activities. The board also accepted $1,605 from the tax stabilization application, which earned Norway $5 per application. The funds were placed in the personnel/administration budget.

New Town Manager Jeffrey Wilson praised his staff for their response to the severe wind and rainstorm Dec. 18.

“While other towns closed, Norway’s employees opted to stay open to keep services available for the public,” Wilson said. “The Public Works, Fire Department, Police Department and all others should also be commended for all the hard work they put in for downed trees, water diversion and other issues they dealt with during the storm.”

He said the town is applying for a stream crossing grant to help pay to replace the Crockett Ridge Bridge and culvert. The project is expected to cost about $500,000.