Searsmont residents debate auto track issue

SEARSMONT – A special town meeting is set for tonight on the issue of a proposed 180-day moratorium against automobile racetracks.

The Board of Selectmen called the special town meeting after being petitioned by members of STOP the Race Track, a local group opposed to the dirt track being considered for the Moody Mountain Road by Walter Lamont Jr.

Lamont revealed his plans to the town in October during an appearance before the planning board. Lamont told the board that he intended to operate the Moody Mountain Sportsmen’s Club on a 60-acre parcel. Members of the private club would race their cars on a quarter-mile dirt track. Admission would be charged to the races and competitors would rent cars from the track owner.

From the moment he unveiled his proposal, Lamont ran into opposition from residents along the road. Their primary objection was that the racetrack would create a major change to their quiet, rural area. Lamont’s plans called for races every weekend throughout the summer. Besides year-round residents, Moody Mountain also has a number of summer homes scattered throughout its woodlands and farms.

The town has no zoning ordinance and opponents argued that a moratorium was needed to provide the community and planning board with an opportunity to consider the adoption of ordinances dealing with racetracks and other large developments. If supported by the voters, the referendum would be retroactive to Nov. 27.

Lamont’s proposal has been on hold since selectmen accepted the petition and scheduled the special town meeting.

Residents had an opportunity to address the moratorium issue during a public hearing held earlier this month. During the meeting, a number of residents spoke of their fears of government intrusion into the affairs of owners of private property. Others expressed concerns that the town was unprepared to handle large-scale developments. Still others voiced the opinion that the town’s existing land use ordinance was adequate to handle Lamont’s request.

The special town meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22 at the Ames School.