Construction boom expands in Newport

NEWPORT – Skateboard parks, tax-acquired property, new restaurants and solid waste topped the agenda at Wednesday night’s Newport selectmen’s meeting.

But it was the increased valuation around town that caught the ears of selectmen.

Town Manager James Ricker said that from January to October of this year, the value of approved building permits was nearly $4 million.

“That’s $1 million more than last year, which was $1 million more than the year before,” said Ricker.

“Building in Newport continues to be at an all-time high,” he added.

Ricker also prepared the selectmen for a citizen-based push to convert a dilapidated tennis court, owned by the town, into a skateboard park.

“It is the perfect location,” said Ricker. “There is a 10-foot fence. It is well-lit. The gates can be locked.”

The manager said it would cost $30,000 to restore the court to useable status for about five area tennis players. “Newport has 75 skateboarders,” he said. The 110-by-120-foot enclosure could be top-coated with pavement for about $4,500, said Ricker, and grants could be used to purchase equipment.

Although Ricker said such a park would increase the town’s liability insurance, the trade-off was worth it. “These kids need a place to go. We have to get them off the streets,” he said.

Ricker said the issue would be back before the board during budget deliberations in December. “I’m presenting it tonight as food for thought,” he said.

In other business, Ricker informed the board he has been negotiating with the town of Plymouth to accept its wood waste, white goods, and other bulky waste. He said no Plymouth taxes would be used to pay for the system. It would be based on user fees and would cost Newport nothing.

The user fee system is still being decided, he said, but Plymouth officials are willing to pay a fair share to try to halt roadside dumping in that town.

The selectmen approved a victualer’s and liquor license for Daniel Fazziola who is renovating and reopening the former Log Cabin Restaurant as Louie’s Log Cabin Diner. The restaurant will open sometime after December and will be open for breakfast. There will be a buffet on weekends and the traditional fried clams and scallops that made the original Log Cabin so popular in the past.

“I can remember when the people lined up down the road, waiting to get in,” said Selectman James Brann.

“We hope to make it a thriving, local business,” said Fazziola.

“In the interest of abutting property owners,” the selectmen sold a small, unbuildable piece of property on Chamberlain Drive to the two abutting property owners for $3,200. Two other bids were received, one for $2,500 and another for $10,500.

Although the board was impressed with the largest bid, it was determined that the best interest of the abutters should take precedence. Pat Turner and Mario Porto were the successful bidders.

The selectmen also learned that Ricker had applied to the Gulf of Maine organization for a $30,000 grant that will be matched with $45,000 from other sources to reconstruct the Sebasticook River from Center Street to North Street.

During renovations of the lower portion of the river this summer, erosion problems were identified in a number of places just below the North Street Dam. If the grant is obtained, the project will start next summer.