CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Voters overwhelmingly defeated a proposal that would have authorized wood harvesting on a public lot at the annual town meeting on Wednesday night.
Although Article 62 was recommended for approval by the Board of Selectmen and the Touring Center Improvement Committee, no one who participated in the discussion expressed full support for the plan, which would have allowed selectmen to enter contracts for wood harvesting on one of the town’s two public lots.
The nearly 1,200-acre lot is currently being used for recreational purposes. The Carrabassett Valley Touring Center is located on the property, and boasts an extensive network of cross-country, hiking and snowshoeing trails.
According to landscape architect and Carrabassett Valley property owner Cindy Orcutt, the trail system has the potential to become a “world class” facility if managed appropriately. Orcutt urged the town to vote against the article on the grounds that the proposed tree harvesting might irrevocably damage the aesthetic and recreational value of the trail system.
“Now is the time to develop an overall master plan,” she said, “and then look at ways to do forest management that support the recreational use the land is now being put to.”
Selectman David Cota noted that the town’s second public lot, which is adjacent to the one in question, has been selectively logged since the early 1980s, and is still considered an asset to the community.
“There are two conflicting viewpoints here,” he said. “Do you want to continue the conservative forest management we’ve been doing since the 1980s, or do you want the lot used solely for recreation?”
Larry Warren of Carrabassett Valley said that the touring center “has really contributed to this community,” and that “to cut that vision short for short-term gain is unwise.”
Many residents echoed his view, suggesting that the town, “wait a year or two,” and develop a plan before authorizing wood harvesting. John Norris said, “Once you cut a tree, it’s hard to put it back.”
When the article was voted on after nearly an hour of discussion, it was almost unanimously defeated. All other articles were passed during the meeting, and George Abbott was elected for his first term as selectman, running against incumbent John F. Reynolds.
“I’m very pleasantly surprised,” said Abbott. “I’m so used to losing.” He has run five years in a row. This is his first victory.
Comments are no longer available on this story