Wind permit challenged

WOODSTOCK —Town Manager Vern Maxfield reported that an appeal has been filed to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on its approval of a permit for Patriot Renewable's proposed wind turbines on Spruce Mountain.

The DEP is currently taking public comments on the appeal. Patriot Renewables has already filed it comments.

Selectmen asked Maxfield to look into whether the town's safety ordinance can be used to get Feeding Friendzy owner Wendy Bertrand to remove the signs from the building. There have been reports of distracted drivers almost hitting passing cars as they perused the signs. Selectmen support Bertrand's right to express her opinions, but said "there is a safety issue with people gawking at the signs."

Selectmen appointed alternate Kevin Marshall as a full time member of the Planning Board and Tom Gallagher as an alternate member last night. Gallagher's work schedule has prevented him from attending meetings.

Maxfield reported that the Highway Department has finished work on Alpine Shores/Rowe Hill, and the work ought to hold up under a heavy rain.

The crew is getting the plows ready and has been busy patching roads.

The new door openers for the town barn are installed and working fine. Some of the doors ought to be replaced as they are in need of repair. This will wait until next year's budget cycle as the building account is empty.

There are pictures of the town Christmas Tree, next to the Post Office, on the WSCH website. The other tree, next to the Library, will be lit on December 3, as part of Woodstock Elementary School's Cookies with Santa.

A townwide re-evaluation may be on for 2012. Maxfield said "I don't think it will be as hurtful as some equalizations are, "as there will be an easing of some values. Currently the town is at 75 percent assessed value.

An initial budget for 2011 ought to be ready for the next meeting on December 7.

Selectmen gave their approval for the disposal of an obsolete set of Maine Revised Statutes, which are 10 years out of date "and just taking up space and collecting dust."

Although there was essentially no public at the public hearing on the issue, Maxfield announced the new State mandated changes in General Assistance. The maximum available for a two member household has gone from $638 to $645.

A guess that the paperwork outweighed the increase was offered by the Board.

The town gets 50 percent back from the state and "they have never not paid us." said Maxfield.

The next regular Board meeting is December 7 at 5:00 p.m. The Greenwood and Woodstock transfer station meeting is November 23 at 5:00 p.m. in the Woodstock Town Office.