Newcastle Officials Discuss Visioning Process

The Newcastle Board of Selectmen met with Ben Frye, a member of the Newcastle Land Use Ordinance Review Committee, to discuss the ongoing series of land use or “visioning” workshops at their Nov. 22 meeting.

Several residents left the last workshop – the second in a series of five – early, during a lengthy presentation by consultant Beth Della Valle. “That wouldn’t have happened if it was locals presenting,” Selectman Lee Straw said.

“The next couple meetings, the [Land Use Ordinance Review] Committee members are going to take a more active role in running the workshop,” Frye said.

The next workshop is Tues., Nov. 30 at the Harriet Bird Clubhouse in Sheepscot. The workshop will begin at 6:45 p.m., following a public supper and fundraiser for the Newcastle Fire Department at 5:30 p.m.

At future workshops, residents will use “keypad polling” to provide semi-private, real-time feedback to questions. Each attendee will receive a small, wireless device with two keys – yes or no.

“The results are shown immediately,” Frye said. “I’m excited about it.”

Design Review surveyNewcastle has developed a survey about the town’s existing design review process and the districts to which it applies. The aim of the survey is twofold – to educate residents and gather their input about the effectiveness and geography of the process.

The town will mail the survey to the 259 residents within the three design review districts – downtown and in the villages of Damariscotta Mills and Sheepscot. It will appear as a full-page advertisement in The Lincoln County News and will be available at the town office and the post office. Beginning Dec. 1, residents will also be able to complete the survey online at www.newcastlemaine.us.

In other business, selectmen unanimously approved a design review application from Adam Gagnon, who plans to add a second story to his Stewart Street home.

Selectmen unanimously approved a $200 request from the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce to help allay the costs of a Nov. 27 visit from Santa Claus and the showing of the film “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.”

“We need to build a relationship with businesses,” Straw said.

“And with people who want to have fun,” Selectman Ellen Dickens said.

Selectmen appointed Chairman Ellen McFarland and Jennifer Mitkus to the Memorial Park Committee, 4-0. McFarland abstained from the vote.