To the Editor:
I am writing in response to the article concerning the Goose Hill Road in Jefferson. According to the article on Sept. 27 by Shlomit Auciello, the Town government wants to take control of the land 25 feet from the center of the road outwards on each side without compensation to landowners. (“Jefferson citizens air Goose Hill Road issues,” Page 1)
First, I must mention that the issue was cloudy as written in the LCN. I contacted Mrs. (Victoria) Burbank by phone to see if she could clear some things up. I was taken aback when I read that Mrs. Burbank was called “a virus that won’t go away” by Mr. Lloyd Hodgkins. Mrs. Burbank stated that he was not even reprimanded at the meeting. I am surprised that the selectmen allowed such conduct.
The entire state boasts about being against bullying and yet it happens right at the local government level in Jefferson, with no reprimand? What kind of a signal does this send to the rest of the citizens… as well as to the young people of the town. Selectmen of Jefferson, you should be ashamed!
I am not a resident of this town but I love scuba diving and doing so off my parents’ cabin on Damariscotta Lake. This activity led me to investigate why I found such lovely rock walls and deep wells in the area.
My research led me to discover that this was once rich farmland that was flooded. Not everyone was in favor of this flooding, but it happened. Did it become a vote such as the one being held on Nov. 4 for the Goose Hill Road? Did these farms of Jefferson suffer this same fate? “Take” the land unfairly and without compensation? Is this how Jefferson, Maine operates? Wow! I think that if I owned land in Jefferson, I would be very afraid that my property, or the road I lived on would be next.
The above mentioned activity and the “taking of the Goose Hill Road” by condemnation (sic), sends a very clear message to anyone that wants to purchase land in Jefferson, Maine. The flag waving high says: “Beware of Property in Jefferson…maybe what you buy will be taken from you or your family in the future.”
Is this the message the real estate businesses want? Especially now that you have a new school and need good taxpayers?
I understand the plight that Mrs. Hamilton and Mrs. Burbank find themselves in. I would not want the town to control the land practically under my living room floor. I would not want my land destroyed by a water flow caused by improper engineering in the above fields. The town should not take another’s property to solve a past mistake they have made.
I used to bike on the Goose Hill Road years ago and that road was always such a pleasure as it represented the country roads of Maine. Don’t we all want to live on a country road? Her farm is a pleasure to view.
The fields, horses, an old farmhouse and barn that still have their character. Mrs. Burbank owns one of my favorite places to drive by when I am here during the summer.
Watching the water from the stream rushing up and around the ledges by Mrs. Hamilton’s little home is priceless. I would not want anyone on that road to have to sacrifice. There is always a different route if the Goose Hill Road doesn’t please you.
Think long and hard, voters of Jefferson. The next condemnation vote could be for your land.
Chris Collins, Portland
