Jefferson residents’ dream of broadband Internet access is one more step closer to reality thanks to a $66,000 state grant awarded for the project.
News of the grant highlighted a board of selectmen’s meeting Monday night, during which the board also addressed funding road washout repairs and the cutting of trees in the shoreland zone.
In other business, selectmen recognized the Jefferson Historical Society for receiving a Spirit of America award.
Residents will vote Sept. 15 whether or not to allow Midcoast Internet Solutions to erect a tower on town-owned land for the purpose of providing broadband Internet service for Jefferson.
(The question to be posed to voters will ask, “Shall the Town of Jefferson vote to authorize selectmen on behalf of the town to enter into a lease agreement with Midcoast Internet Solutions to erect a tower on town-owned land known as Haskell Mountain for the purpose of providing broadband Internet service to Jefferson?”)
Joseph Bodnar, chairman of the Citizen’s Committee for Broadband in Jefferson, said he collected over 240 names on a petition to support the effort. The town has received a needed grant for $66,000 from the state public Internet fund, which will support the project.
“There’s really a demand in town,” Bodnar said.
Cameron Kilton, a wireless technician from Midcoast, said he told the state it would take 90 days to complete the project. The Sept. 15 vote will put the project’s finishing deadline in December, but Kilton said they could finish well before then.
“The biggest issue has been the weather,” he told selectmen.
Kilton said his company could start right away, pending a ‘yes’ vote from town residents.
Road repairs
In other business, selectmen said they are considering placing another question on the Sept. 15 ballot to help fix some of the roads damaged by heavy rain. They might ask voters to approve applying funds from surplus to help pay for the repairs.
“Eighty percent of what I’ve done this year has been repair,” Jefferson road commissioner Nathan Northrup said.
Officials said the town should also receive some funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the July rain storm damage.
Tree cutting
Damage of another kind has officials scratching their heads as to how to better solve the problem. Some residents who own property along the Damariscotta Lake shorefront have been illegally cutting down trees.
“There’s a lot of clearing for better views,” Gregory Johnston, chair of the Planning Board said. “It’s getting worse all the time.”
He said people often don’t mind paying a $500 fine, if that’s all they have to pay and will continue to do what they want with their shorefront property. State law sets the requirements, which focuses on preserving the natural landscape, but Johnston said there is plenty of wiggle room for landowners.
People are allowed to cut a six-foot meandering path through brush to the water’s edge of their property. Johnston also said people can cut brush to maintain the height it was at the time of purchase.
If people fail to contact the Code Enforcement Officer before cutting trees, they could incur fines running into tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the size and amount of trees cut, according to Johnston.
He encourages landowners get permission from the local CEO to cut trees on the shorefront. Failing to do that, the town will force landowners to pay a fine and also replant trees to replace the ones that were cut.
Jefferson Historical Society
Bruce Flaherty, Director of the Spirit of America in Augusta, was present at the Aug. 3 Board meeting to help recognize the Jefferson Historical Society for the award.
“I’m very pleased to accept this award on behalf of the historical society,” Society president Marilyn Speckmann said.
The Jefferson Historical Society has been restoring the old town office on the corner of Rts. 32 and 126. The restoration effort started with the foundation and has been made possible through donations from the community. Workers have been re-shingling the roof and as of Monday expected to finish in a few days.
The Society was recognized for their commitment to collecting, researching and preserving Jefferson history since at least 1962. Members of the Society include Don Pierce, Priscilla Bond, Ralph Martin, Marilyn Speckmann and Arlene White.