Hampden debates quarry operations

HAMPDEN – A lengthy discussion at Monday’s Town Council meeting about whether to allow quarrying in the industrial zone wound up with the issue being withdrawn entirely from the council’s consideration.

Vaughn Thibodeau and Sons, a Bangor general contracting business, had asked the council to consider an ordinance amendment that would allow the company to operate a gravel pit on a 10-acre parcel in the Ammo Industrial Park on Route 202. The town’s ordinance allows such activity in the rural zone, but does not clearly specify whether it is prohibited in the industrial zone, a representative of the business told councilors.

Mike Thibodeau said the business made the request as an act of good faith, but would be better off to go forward with its plans as the ordinance now stands. Quarrying already is going on in that zone, he said.

“We’re coming as good neighbors,” Thibodeau said.

One councilor questioned what would happen to the land after the quarrying operation is complete.

“At what point do you anticipate the quarry to be unusable?” Councilor Edward Murphy asked. “What could be done with the property after you’re done with it?”

Vaughn Thibodeau and Sons recently purchased for more than $1 million an adjacent parcel and office building in the park that formerly housed power plant construction company Larkin Enterprises, and would not want to scar its own backyard, Thibodeau said.

“Vaughn Thibodeau and Sons has no intention of leaving a giant hole,” he said.

The proposed pit could affect the value of the 234 acres the town purchased last year from L.L. Bean, which also lies in the industrial park, Mayor Rick Briggs said Monday.

“We are an abutting property owner,” he said.

After Thibodeau later withdrew his request for the ordinance review, the council voted to have the ordinance committee look into whether other local regulations apply to mineral extraction in town.

Also referred to committee Monday was a proposal to increase councilors’ wages. A pay raise could be funded with money set aside in this year’s budget, though no vote on the issue has been taken.

The town charter lists payment for councilors at $20 per meeting, and for the mayor $25 per meeting.

“Nine years ago, when I ran for council, I didn’t even know we got paid,” Councilor Robert Gilberti said Monday.

Councilors’ time is worth more than the current wage, but an increase of a few dollars wouldn’t make much difference, he said.

Councilor Carl Pease pointed out that if the wage, set in the 1970s, were adjusted to current values, councilors should be making $40 per meeting.

“Either we’re valued for our time or not,” Pease said.

The issue ultimately was sent to the finance committee for review, though councilors did later vote to have the town pay up to $50 per month for high-speed Internet access at their homes. The service would be used to access e-mails from constituents, councilors said.