|
|
|
By BDN Staff at Bangor Daily News: DOVER-FOXCROFT - The county-owned access road to Big Squaw Mountain Resort will be plowed this winter as long as the facility is operated as a ski resort. The commissioners had discussed closing the road to winter maintenance because the mountain and resort were not being operated as they should be. Last year, the operation was run on a limited basis by volunteers from the region, according to the commissioners. Commissioner Eric Ward told the board Tuesday that James Confalone, the ski resort owner, intends to operate the lower mountain this winter and he is doing research to get the upper mountain operational. Aside from that, Ward said Confalone expressed some issues he has with a public boat launch at Fitzgerald Pond. Confalone, who owns all the land around the pond, wants the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to place a portable toilet at the boat landing and post signs that stipulate the surrounding land is private. At Ward’s suggestion, the commissioners agreed to write a letter to ask the DIF&W to carry out Confalone’s wishes. "If that’s what it takes to bridge the gap and put out the fire that’s been burning for two years," then commissioners should do it, Ward said. Ward said everyone is frustrated because the mountain is not in full operation. It has the greatest potential to help spur economic development in the region, according to Ward. The commissioners on Tuesday also voted to continue winter maintenance of the Borestone Mountain Road. A representative of the Maine Sierra Club commented Tuesday regarding written testimony the commissioners plan to submit to the Land Use Regulation Commission for the provision of services to the Unorganized Territory regarding Plum Creek’s proposed development and conservation plan. The written testimony composed and approved for submission Tuesday covers liquid waste disposal, solid waste, fire protection, emergency and rescue services, law enforcement, road maintenance and communications. Darci Schofield of the Maine Sierra Club suggested that the commissioners should have held a public hearing like the Somerset County commissioners did before they filed their written testimony. She said the public should have a say on the project. Commissioner Tom Lizotte said Scholfield’s request for a public hearing dated Aug. 16 did not provide enough time to post a hearing notice and then file before the Aug. 31 deadline. Schofield also asked the commissioners to consider recommending an impact fee in case services from the development affect property
taxpayers in the UT, and she also recommended a conference call to Montana officials where Plum Creek has had a similar development plan.
|