Boat landing plan may be revived

MADAWASKA – Nearly four years after residents voted not to use property tax money to construct a boat landing, a new proposal is on its way through the zoning process for one that would be paid for with federal money.

The proposal for a boat landing on the east shore of Long Lake was made public this week by Richard Cayer, a landowner along the lake, and David Basley of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Town Manager Arthur Faucher said the proposal is to create the boat landing on one of two parcels owned by Cayer, not far from Birch Point, where the town has a public beach.

The Board of Selectmen told the two men the proposal has to go before the planning board for action.

“They came to revive the proposal turned down in 1997,” Faucher said. “This time the development money would come from the federal government.

“The only cost to the town would be for minor maintenance,” Faucher continued. “That would involve things like grass cutting and trash removal.”

The last proposal, voted on in June 1998, would have cost the town about $50,000, the local share of a 3-1 grant from the DIF&W.

There is still some opposition to the plan by camp owners near the proposed site, Faucher said. The DIF&W, he said, is concerned about the opposition, not wanting to put money where a project may not be wanted.

Faucher said a second lot, also owned by Cayer, would also be purchased by the DIF&W to be used for a parking lot.

In 1997 and 1998, area camp owners also were against the proposal. The plan was backed by Cayer and people who own boats, but do not own property on the lake. Three boat landings are all on the east side of the lake in St. Agatha and Sinclair.

Basley, according to Faucher, told the Board of Selectmen the project would not be built if it is not wanted by residents.

The selectmen agreed to support the project if it passes the perusal of the planning board.

In other business, according to Faucher, the town is looking for a recreation director. Mike Dube, director for the last 19 months, was terminated, effective April 1.

Faucher said selectmen approved a $6,322 severance package for Dube. That included $1,934 for unused vacation time, personal days and unused sick leave, and $4,298, the equivalent of two months’ salary.

Dube’s position had been on the selectmen’s agenda four times in the last two months. His 18-month probationary period was extended by three months, just one month ago.

“Both parties, Dube and us, were aware of administrative problems,” Faucher said Friday. “Things were just not working out.”

Selectmen will discuss an advertising program at their next session, Faucher said.