Zoning for new business focus of Old Town vote

OLD TOWN – The city has received a request to allow construction of a new, expanded business in town, which is proposed to be located adjacent to the Sargent Corp., formerly known as H.E. Sargent Inc.

But first residents must approve a zoning change that would make the location an industry and service district instead of a low density residential area.

Residents will have a chance to vote on the change during Tuesday’s primary election. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The proposed business, SSR LLC, is an associated business of Sargent Corp. and would be located in a new building near the company’s Stillwater headquarters on the Bennoch Road.

Sargent Corp. employs more than 400 construction professionals and serves the New England and Mid-Atlantic markets, specializing in heavy earthwork.

The new building will bring about 25 currently filled jobs to the area along with new tax revenue from the building and equipment, City Manager Peggy Daigle wrote Friday in a press release.

However, zoning must be changed by referendum because of a 1984 petition to change the zone.

“Because it was initially changed by referendum, now the only way it can be changed again is by referendum,” City Clerk Patty Brochu said in a previous interview.

The planning board held a public hearing and endorsed the proposed change.

“H.E. Sargent’s a very viable company in the city of Old Town,” Daigle said. “This expansion would allow them to conduct their business more wholly from a singular site.”