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Fast-Growing Waterboro Transfers Six Town-Owned Properties to a Trust Formed by Residents

November 28, 2007 - WATERBORO -- Waterboro officials have transferred six town-owned properties to a land trust formed by residents who feared that tax-cap initiatives would force the town to sell valuable land to pay its bills.

"We're pretty excited," said TammyJo Girard, secretary of the Waterboro Land Trust, which received waterfront lots on Ossipee Lake, a parcel on Ossipee Mountain, a lot near Friendship Park that includes walking and snowmobile trails, a 22-acre parcel near the downtown, and a forested area off Main Street.

Girard said the trust was formed in response to an "explosion of growth" in the area.

Waterboro, which has about 7,700 residents today, has grown 24 percent since 2000 and 71 percent since 1990, due in part to the Lake Arrowhead Community, Maine's largest residential subdivision.

"People don't want to see Waterboro gobbled up by development," she said.

Waterboro selectmen voted to transfer the properties last week. They will discuss land-use issues, such as ATV use, access and tree harvesting, at a meeting next week that will finalize the process.

The trust was formed about a year ago, after former Selectman Doug Foglio and other residents became worried that future tax-cap initiatives could force town officials to sell off valuable open space. At the time, Waterboro was one of the few places in York County that didn't have an established land trust.

"They thought that before it got to that, we need to do something," said Girard, who was elected this year to the Board of Selectmen. Two other selectmen on the five-member board are members of the land trust.

"You drive into Waterboro and the first thing you see is Ossipee Mountain, and instead of seeing the fire tower and the explosion of color in the fall, you could potentially be looking up at housing developments," Girard said. "That was the premise that started the trust. You just want to protect it. We want to see the land enjoyed and used by all."

Last week's action by the selectmen culminated a process that took almost a year. In January, the trust identified 16 properties of interest. Residents voted overwhelmingly at town meeting in April to authorize the town to deed the land over to the trust to conserve open space.

"I think it's a great idea," said Selectman Cindy Moore, who along with Chairman Dennis Abbott is not affiliated with the trust. "Waterboro has some very noteworthy pieces of property -- like the one up on the mountain and on the lake -- and we figured: Why not take the properties that we want to make sure are still around for our children and grandchildren and give them to the trust?"

The trust has about 25 members, representing diverse interests such as ATV riders, hunters, hikers, preservationists and people who are interested in certain historical sites.

"We would definitely love to see more Waterboro residents involved right now," Girard said. "We just want to see the land preserved."

The group is negotiating with a few landowners about donations of property, Girard said. Moore said there may be additional properties in town that may be deeded to the trust.

"There probably wouldn't be any reason why we'd say 'no,'" she said.

Girard said the next step for the trust is to review the parcels with town officials and determine whether there are any limitations on use, and to report back to the selectmen next month.

SOURCE: Portland Press Herald

DATE: 11-21-2007



Lakes: Lake Arrowhead
Regions: Sebago, Sanford


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