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Comprehensive Plan Update Committee rescinds prior recommendation, schedules March 20 public hearing
Summary
The Comprehensive Plan Update Committee voted to rescind its June 27, 2024 recommendation that would have forwarded proposed plan changes to the board of selectmen and set a new public hearing for March 20, 2025 at 6 p.m. The committee also elected officers and held an executive session to consult legal counsel.
The Comprehensive Plan Update Committee voted to rescind its June 27, 2024 recommendation to forward proposed changes to the comprehensive plan to the board of selectmen and scheduled a public hearing for March 20, 2025, at 6 p.m.
The action came after an executive session called under "1 MRSA section 4055 a" to consult with legal counsel concerning the committee's legal rights and duties related to an independent investigations report and the select board's remand. A committee member moved to enter executive session; the motion was seconded and the committee voted unanimously to do so. After returning from executive session, the committee approved a motion to rescind the prior recommendation and to hold the March 20 public hearing to receive comment on all proposed comprehensive plan changes; the hearing will include reasonable time limits set by the committee at that hearing.
Committee members elected officers for the committee's current term. Chris Chase was nominated and approved as chairman; Jason Bernard was nominated and approved as vice chairman; and Carol was approved to serve as secretary. The committee discussed administrative details for the hearing schedule and public notice, and a committee member asked staff to ensure all documents are posted correctly prior to the hearing.
During the meeting, a committee member disclosed that the law firm Bergen and Parkinson represents his wife and children and at least one of their businesses; the member said he did not consider that representation a conflict of interest. The committee did not take any further public action related to that disclosure during this meeting.
Committee members noted a staffing issue for minutes: the person who usually records minutes, Cindy, was reported to be ill and it was unclear whether she would prepare minutes for this meeting. Members said the meeting video and member notes would be used to preserve the record.
The committee recessed into executive session for legal consultation and returned to public session to conduct elections and take the formal votes described above. The committee set the public hearing for Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 6 p.m. and specified that reasonable time limits for public comment will be determined at that hearing.
