Robbinston voters OK LNG article

ROBBINSTON – This town meeting often begins the old-fashioned way with good food and lots of socializing and camaraderie before residents settle down to business.

And such was the mood Monday in this small community that is split by Route 1.

It all started Monday afternoon with the opening of the polls and the swearing in of the moderator. Again this year, the moderator was local resident and attorney Al Churchill.

Residents then voted for town officials who were all running unopposed this year. Elected again was Tom Moholland, Second Selectman Jonathan Stanhope and Third Selectman Kevin Murray.

Meanwhile residents dined on beans and rolls and other tasty dishes.

Proceeds from the dinner that began at 4:30 will go to the eighth-grade class, First Selectman Tom Moholland said Tuesday.

Then it was onto the town meeting where Moholland and Churchill said Tuesday that all of the items passed.

Voters approved money for the fire department and for road maintenance.

They agreed to compensate the code enforcement officer. According to the article in the town warrant, he was paid $1,500 last year and the same amount this year.

The selectmen recommended that the animal control officer also be paid $1,500, but the health officer was only eligible for $75.

Article 22 dealt with LNG.

The Washington, D.C.-based Downeast LNG appeared on the town’s doorstep a few years ago, asking to build a liquefied natural gas terminal and tank farm on Route 1, and about a year later, voters overwhelmingly embraced the concept.

The article in this year’s town warrant asked voters if the town would be allowed to accept money reimbursed by Downeast LNG to cover any costs the town may incur from the project. The article was approved.