Muzzy began by giving a brushstroke run-down of where the company, and the plan, stood in the most current incarnation. He followed that by detailing some of the concerns put forth by State and Federal agencies, saying they were well-founded, and the response Plum Creek had to those issues.

He went on the explain that the three key points, or phases, of the plan were development, conservation and recreation, noting that, "once we are done (with the development), it is forever. There will not be anymore."

Muzzy continued by explaining some of the elements of the plan, and how the company arrived at the present conclusions. He spoke to the fact that there will be over 80 miles of permanant trails for snowmobiling, and over 70 miles of hiking trails. Later, Muzzy made mention that these trails may experience some diversions over time, due to logging operations, but the trails would be returned to their previous configurations as soon as possible any time this occured.

Other highlights Muzzy pointed out were the guarantee of free, permanent use of over 130 miles of access roads. These roads include the 20-mile road, K-I road, and a few others.

When asked by the Board to further detail the affordable housing piece, Muzzy pointed out that Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI), with over 25 years experience in the affordable housing arena, would be brought in for the implementation of that aspect.

When talks turned to development outside of Greenville proper, and why Plum Creek did not include that in their plan, Muzzy said, "The Town of Greenville is not part of LURC's jurisdiction, and I don't think the Town of Greenville would like LURC telling them what to do."

Plum Creek also plans on establishing a Stewardship Fund, wherein two percent of every sale will be placed into the hands of a local board for dispersion throughout the Plum Creek land, and beyond. If a lot is then sold a second time, the fund will recieve one-half percent of the proceeds from that sale.

Bonnie DuBien, Chair for the Board of Selectmen, summed up her thoughts by saying, "I don't know what more anyone could ask for."

Co-chair Alan McBrierty followed that statement by saying, "What scares me is the alternative."

With that, Muzzy remarked, "We've made three revisions to this plan, there won't be a fourth. I really think it is a question of planned development versus unplanned development," he went on to add, "no matter what happens, I will carry this burden with me forever."
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Tuesday, November 27, 2007 edition of the Moosehead Messenger and is used here with permission."