POLAND – When asked if they would consider imposing impact fees on new housing to offset an adverse impact on the schools and other government services, selectmen took no action Tuesday night.

Planning Board Chairman Carl Duchette suggested using impact fees, which several Maine towns impose on new homes to offset the costs of education and municipal services. He pointed out that population growth from new subdivisions results in adverse impacts on the town both with the cost of educating additional children and with road maintenance and other town-provided services. Duchette presented the board with a June 26 letter from former Union 29 Superintendent Dr. Robert Wall citing the potential impact on the school system from a proposed 14-lot subdivision on Route 26 by Richard Spear of New Gloucester. Wall cited the potential of 20-to-30 additional students that could impact Poland Community School, Whittier Middle School and Poland Regional High School, and the possibility of costly new construction. The middle and high school complex is close to capacity, Wall wrote.

Partly at issue is if Poland adopts impact fees, should they be charged only to new subdivisions or should every new home be assessed.

“I don’t think Dr. Wall is saying people can’t build houses. I think he’s giving us some numbers,” Duchette said.

Selectman Glenn Peterson said Poland cannot control growth in Minot and Mechanic Falls, the other towns in Union 29. “I don’t think we can stop subdivisions with impact fees.”

“When Minot has growth it only affects Poland for four years (while students are in high school). When Poland has growth it affects us for 13 years. Impact fees are something that should be considered,” said Planning Board member Charles Finger.

He noted that Poland is one of the fastest growing towns in western Maine. Poland has had 15 housing starts this year, compared to seven in Auburn and 2 in Lewiston. “They’re not building in Lewiston and Auburn, they’re coming out here,” Finger said.

Town Manager Richard Chick was asked to compile data on what towns have impact fees and how much is charged.

The board may revisit the issue at a later date.

The selectmen did vote to exclude Spears’ subdivision from any future implementation of impact fees.