Poland voters approve zoning changes

POLAND — A $2.3 million upgrade to the town's fire-rescue station is on track to begin after voters overwhelmingly approved changes to the town's comprehensive land use code at a special town meeting November 29.

After the vote, Fire-Rescue Chief Mark Bosse expressed profound gratitude for citizens' support. According to Bosse, groundbreaking on the project is set for December 16.

Around 150 residents took less than half an hour to approve six articles altering the town's land use code and changing the official zoning map to allow expanding the station. Only a handful of people voted in opposition to the changes.

The fire-rescue building upgrade was approved by voters in April and the town intended to break ground on the project in November, according to reports.

In early November, Code Enforcement Officer Nick Adams informed the board that the planned expansion violated zoning that protected a nearby brook.

According to reports, Adams said he would not issue a building permit for the expansion unless the restrictions were changed through the zoning board appeals process or by voters at a town meeting.

Photo: Peter L. McGuire

PACKED — Around 150 residents pack the Poland Town Hall for a special town meeting November 29.