Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Planning board to host public hearings
KINGFIELD -- The town's planning board will offer the public a chance to comment on Poland Spring's plans for the proposed bottling plant and pumping station this week.
The first session of the public hearing will run from 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday at the Kingfield Elementary School. It will continue at 7 p.m. on Thursday. This first session will include all issues relating to the Poland Spring application, excluding water withdrawal from the Bradbury Spring site adjacent to the West Kingfield Road.
"The hearing will start with Poland Spring's presenting its case," chairman David Guernsey said. "Since we don't know how long this will take, we can not guarantee that time will allow the public to speak on this first night."
Guernsey said the planning board had reserved additional time from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday for testimony from the general public. If this time is not sufficient, he explained, the board will extend the meeting or continue with another session, until all interested parties have been heard. Guernsey said written testimony will be accepted at any time prior to the close of the hearing.
"We hope those interested will take the opportunity to participate in this hearing," Guernsey said.
He offered to take any questions before the hearing at his home, 265-2049, or at the town office, 265-4638.
A second session of the public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the Kingfield Elementary School.
This session will hear testimony relating to water withdrawal issues and other issues which were not fully aired at the first session. The session will include further opportunity for public testimony.