Palmyra seeks building moratorium

PALMYRA – Saying they were ill-equipped to handle major commercial developments currently proposed and in the future because of a lack of local ordinances, Palmyra’s selectmen voted unanimously Wednesday night to ask for a moratorium.

The ban, which would be in effect for 180 days, would restrict new commercial development over a certain size and also ban any commercial water extraction operations.

The moratoriums were prompted by recent announcements of a major truck stop on Route 100 at the Interstate 95 exchange and a water bottling facility, also on Route 100, nearer the Detroit town line.

Selectmen said they needed time to study the implications of such large developments and create regulations to protect town residents.

Robert Tardy, representing Pine Grove Springs, which is developing the water facility, said Wednesday night that the moratorium will have no effect on the plans.

He said the partners in the business, which included Elton “Posey” Nason, who died Monday, had not planned on submitting any proposals for at least 180 days.

“We need to be regulated,” he said. “We need to get working ordinances in place.”

Tardy also said the project will proceed without Nason, a well-known local entrepreneur and visionary.

“He would be furious if we didn’t continue,” Tardy said. “He wanted to leave a legacy, something that would provide jobs and taxes.”

The town’s attorney, Ed Bearor of Bangor, told the board that the town should hold a special town meeting to enact the moratoriums. They could be extended past the 180 days by a vote of the selectmen, but only if the board felt the town had not made significant progress toward creating zoning ordinances and regulations to deal with the two issues.

Meanwhile, Bearor said, the town should hire consultants to help it with creating the ordinances and document such details as where the underground water sources are in the town.

“Ultimately what you are working toward is enacting whatever ordinances you feel necessary,” Bearor said.

He noted that the water extraction moratorium must be carefully worded so as not to affect the town of Newport, which currently uses Nokomis Pond as a water supply, and the town of Hartland, which has a town well in Palmyra.

Bearor said the moratoriums should have no unintended repercussions and could declare existing operations immune.

The selectmen also voted to pursue adopting the proposed comprehensive plan at the March town meeting. The plan has been voted down twice.

“People have to know that this will not take away their rights,” said Chairman Sheila Later. “It will protect them.”

The Comprehensive Plan Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, to begin a review of the proposed plan. Any interested resident is welcome to participate, said Becky Weirs of the committee.