In other business, Simko told selectmen that a few local dogsledders and some interested Greenville citizens have approached the Town of Greenville as well as the Moosehead Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Moosehead Riders Snowmobile Club about establishing an annual dogsled race starting and ending in Greenville Junction. "This has been done before," Selectman Alan McBrierty said. "But weather was a problem in the past - we had scheduled races in January and it was very cold and windy, as I recall."

Selectman Chairman, Eugene F. Murray, Sr. agreed. "If the races were held later in the winter it might not be so cold," Murray said. "We should pursue this," he added.

Simko updated selectmen on the Wood Composites Incubator Project. "Plans are coming together for this facility," Simko said. "We are working on the design of the building at this point and we expect to go out to bid for a general contractor in late February to early March of 2004."

There was additional discussion regarding trash collection and possible landfill solutions. At the Nov. 19 selectmen's meeting, Chairman Eugene F. Murray, Sr. had requested that board members come forward with proposals to solve the town's on-going rubbish collection and landfill problems. Sean Bolen, the rubbish collection contractor was in attendance to answer questions. "Tax payers like their curbside pickup (of trash)," Selectman Bonnie DuBien said. "We've got to enforce the existing laws regarding trash and fine those that don't abide by them." Selectman Alan McBrierty suggested that all dumpsters be put in a common place. "You'll need someone there to enforce the rules, in that case," Selectman Burt Whitman said. Chairman Murray suggested large fines for those that don't abide with trash and recycling rules. John Simko passed out a draft of a proposal for a Greenville Transfer Station which would address many of the problems with the current system of trash collection. "The landfill that we currently have will probably have to close by the year 2020," Simko said. "Eventually the town will have to construct a transfer station that will take care of all sorts of rubbish, recyclables and hazardous waste materials as well. By 2006, a system to collect and haul off hazardous waste materials will need to be in place," Simko added. Simko also advised selectmen that landfill engineer Shawn Small, P.E., of Civil Engineering Services would attend a meeting to help in the formulation of a solution. "It's a lot to think about," said Chairman Murray. "We will need to consider carefully the changes that would make the most fiscal sense."

In other business, a motion was made by selectman Bruce Hanson and seconded by selectman Burt Whitman to sign a letter to Maine's Congressional Delegation requesting that they strongly support a federal biomass credit. Motion was passed five to zero as it would be of help to a local industry, the Greenville Steam Company.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Moosehead Messenger and is used here with permission."