Meeting in the Community Room of the Newcastle Fire Station March 7, the Newcastle Design Review Committee voted to table an application to demolish a historic structure at 21 Pond Rd. in Damariscotta Mills pending the receipt of a summary of an archeological survey on the site.
Archeologist Tim Dinsmore advised the board he expected to be able to perform a survey of the site sometime in May.
Highlighting another issue for the applicants, Newcastle Town Attorney Peter Drum told the board that the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife has determined an eagle’s nest is located within 350 feet of the home. The National Bald Eagle Protection Act limits the scope of work that can be done on the property from Feb. 15 to Aug. 15, Drum said.
Property owners John W. and Mary E. Hamon, of Marblehead, Mass., filed the application to demolish the residence in November 2012.
The plans for demolition have drawn opposition from local residents, several of whom attended the March 7 hearing.
All parties involved note the historic nature of the structure, and acknowledge the building needs significant renovations to make it livable. Built around 1740, the residential building has been vacant since 2010 when the previous owner moved into an assisted living facility.
The Lincoln County News will continue to obtain information on this issue. A complete report will be published in the next print and e-editions of The Lincoln County News.
