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Woodstock Commission, Selectmen Discuss Use of Conservation Funds

July 25, 2011 - Woodstock- The Woodstock Conservation Commission opened a dialogue with selectmen Tuesday about using the town's funds received from a wind power project to help buy community forest land, and about the possibility of using assessments on subdivision developers toward land acquisition or improvement.

Any such proposals would have to be voted upon at a town meeting.

Last year Woodstock received $80,000 from Patriot Renewables, the company currently constructing a wind project on Spruce Mountain.

The payment was arranged through discussions between the WCC and the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. The arrangement followed the passage of a new law requiring “tangible benefits” be provided to areas that have state-owned parks and trails with viewscapes impacted by development. In Woodstock’s case, those state properties are Little Concord State Park and trails up Bald and Speckled mountains.

Marcel Polak, chairman of the WCC, told selectmen that the funds could be used to leverage grant money to purchase community-forest land. Such grants are expected to become available in August, he said.

"The land could be managed for economics, and for wildlife and water protection," he said. It could also provide recreational trails, he said.

"Buck's Ledge would be an example," said Polak, referring to property near North Pond that area conservationists have been trying for years to acquire.

Polak noted that other towns in the region, such as Gorham and Randolph, N.H., have thousands of acres of forest land that they harvest for timber revenue and also use for recreation.

Recently the Woodstock selectmen have also discussed putting some of the funds currently in the account toward fixing the leaking dam on Lake Christopher.

The town has another $20,000 collected over the past three years from per-lot assessments on major subdivision developers. The ordinance governing such assessments was proposed by the Planning Board in 2008, and was intended to provide funds to help offset impacts resulting from large developments.

The WCC suggested a portion of future funds collected might be designated for land acquisition or improvement.

The WCC also recommends the town establish a dedicated, non-lapsing land account to be used for acquisition and management, Polak said. In addition, the WCC would like to have responsibility for making recommendations regarding such lands. Polak emphasized that all decisions would be in the hands of the voters.

Selectman Rick Young said the commission could put together wording for proposals on the land issues to bring to a town meeting.

Tom Hartford, chairman of the Planning Board, was skeptical of the possible use of the subdivision funds and of large land acquisitions in general.

He said planners originally recommended the ordinance requiring such payments from developers in order to help the town finance support services for large subdivisions, such as fire stations or beach access in the area of the development.

Hartford objected, however, to the larger-scale acquisition of land. He noted that some landowners are closing their property to snowmobiling as a result of damage, and that similar problems could happen in a community forest used for recreation.

He was also suspicious of the WCC's motives, suggesting the group was "trying to get power."

"We're just asking if you will listen to our opinions," responded WCC Vice Chairman Jane Chandler.

Hartford said he thought using money from the account for the dam was appropriate.

Geff Inman, who also attended the meeting, advocated for protecting Lake Christopher, noting that the large fish caught there will help bring in sportsmen and in turn help the local economy.

In other business Tuesday, selectmen set a mil rate for this year of 12.85, up .25. The rate provides for an overlay of approximately $29,000.

The hike represents a 2 percent increase, said Maxfield, but the figure is much better than the potential 20 percent increase originally anticipated when school budget discussions first began. Tax bills are expected to go out next week.

Alison Aloisio, Bethel Citizen, July 2011


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