Public Hearing with regard to "Phase II" water main extensions in the Northport Village Corporation and the Town of Northport.

May 7, 2004; 7 p.m. at the Community Hall in Bayside

This duly-noticed public hearing was held as required by conditions of the Community Development Block Grant from the State of Maine. The CDBG finances a $400,000 portion of this NVC community improvement project to extend deep water mains down Shore Road from Main Street to the southern edge Bayside and along the Bluff Road from Main Street for 4,000 feet to the south. In conjunction with the project, the Town of Northport will rebuild a portion of Bluff Road from Clinton St. to Cobe Road.

Present: John Fancy (Utilities Superintendant-NVC); David Crofoot, Richard Brockway and Suellyn Fleming (NVC Utilities Committee members); Greg Ireland (Dirigo Engineering); Tim & Cathy Folster (Sargent & Sargent-Contractors); Denise Lindahl (Northport Selectman); Beverly Crofoot, Anne Cassatt, Randy Nichols, Don Lacoste.

Mr. Fancy opened the hearing with an explanation of the scope of the "Phase II" project, describing work done last fall and work currently in progress or remaining to be done. The deepwater main on Shore Road was laid last fall. Final household connections and clean-up work on Shore Road are in progress now. Once Shore Road is finished, S & S will start laying water main on Bluff Road. They estimate it will take four weeks to dig and lay the 4,000 feet of water main. After pressure testing and disinfection, individual household connections will be installed. Bluff Road will then be reconstructed with an 18-inch base of gravel, a 2” asphalt binder layer and a 1" asphalt wearing layer. Beyond Cobe Road to the south, the roadbed will be resurfaced with a 2" binder. They hope to be finished by early July. Traffic will be open in one lane.

Public Comments:

Randy Nichols of Shore Road wished the schools to be notified to be sure that parents and bus drivers were aware of the traffic impact of the project. Mr. Folster said he would communicate with the principal of the Northport School to be sure that this information would be passed on.

Anne Cassatt of 540 Bluff Road expressed concern that the rebuilt road would be substantially higher and might result in water runoff onto her lawn and down her driveway into the garage. She said she had discussed her concerns extensively with John Fancy and Greg Ireland; she was pleased at how cooperative they had been in resolving her concerns; she understood that the road design would leave the shoulder grade only 1-2" higher than it currently is and that only water from her side of the newly crowned road would drain toward her property.

Don LaCoste of 539 Bluff Road expressed concern that the newly rebuilt road would allow for excessive speed. He says that during the commuting hours in the afternoon, people come up the Bluff Road at great speed which is mitigated only by the terrible road surface. Discussion ensued. Denise Lindahl said she would talk to the sheriff about speed enforcement issues. The Bayside Policeman works only in the summer months and is not present during the morning commuting hours, but he can be instructed to pay close attention to speed issues on Bluff Road during the afternoon.

Greg Ireland noted that there is some ledge in the southerly part of Bluff Road and that some blasting may be required. Neighbors will be appropriately notified.

Minutes taken and submitted by David D. Crofoot