NGXchange

[Peter Bragdon]
Recent events have gotten many people worrying about a gem in our community:  the view from the top of Gloucester Hill Road could potentially look different. This pasture / view has been the site for an uncountable number of pictures, not to mention a long list of people enjoying the cows, having a picnic lunch, sledding and much more.

The planning board recently approved a house to be placed in the pasture of the Opportunity Farm, now known as the Morrison Center.
After the dust settled from the board meeting, a site walk and public hearing, it was learned this is just a proposal from the current property owner and not a plan set in stone.  The property is still for sale and can be purchased by anyone.  The list price for the 25 acres is $250,000.
The listing on the Maine MLS goes on to say it can be used as a sub division and does have planning board approval for a house lot.   The seller is also offering a land/building package.

Effective September 19, 2019, The State of Maine has made changes to the “Mercury Added Lamp Recycling Program” of which the Town of New Gloucester is a participant.

Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §1672, sub-§1, ¶A-1 is enacted to read:

A-1. “Covered entity” means a person who at any one time presents for drop off at a collection location participating in a department-approved program for the recycling of mercury-added lamps under this subsection:

1. Any number of compact fluorescent mercury-added lamps; or
2. Ten or fewer mercury-added lamps that are not compact fluorescent mercury added lamps.

This is merely a highlight of the changes as they affect our Transfer Station operation.

The acceptance of fluorescent light bulbs at the New Gloucester Transfer Station is no longer limited to just households. Small businesses in town may now bring their fluorescent bulbs to the Transfer Station for recycling.

Further, and most importantly, the State now mandates that no more than ten fluorescent bulbs, other than compact fluorescent bulbs, may be disposed of by any one entity per visit.

[Matt Byrne, Staff Writer, Portland Press Herald] .

Starting Thursday, drivers in Maine must use hands-free technology only.

Q: What does the new law say, and when does it take effect?

A: Starting Sept. 19, drivers are prohibited from using, manipulating or holding mobile phones, hand-held electronic devices or portable electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle, unless specifically exempted by law.

Q: Will there be a “warning” period from police to allow motorists to get used to the new law?

A: No. Expect swift and widespread enforcement with few exceptions, starting on the day the law takes effect. Continue reading

| Joanne Cole, NGX |

At its August 28 meeting the Land Management Planning Committee (LMPC) discussed docks on Sabbathday Lake and resumed work on a draft ordinance to regulate large solar arrays.  Meanwhile, independent of the LMPC’s work, the Select Board will hear from ReVision Energy about solar energy at the board’s Monday September 16 meeting. 

Solar arrays.  Residents’ comments on the draft solar ordinance led off the August LMPC meeting. Town planner Scott Hastings reported that resident Mark Power, who participated in a public workshop on solar power, has asked whether the committee is considering where in town they may or may not want arrays, perhaps restricting them by zone, and also whether to include incentives for putting solar arrays in already-developed locations like parking lots rather than in green areas.