Dover-Foxcroft plans community organic garden

DOVER-FOXCROFT – Municipal officials and a nonprofit organization have signed an agreement to establish a community organic garden on town-owned land along the Piscataquis River.

The Maine Highlands Community Organic Forest-Garden will establish and manage a public community garden and promote organic gardening and associated techniques on the Vaughn Street property.

The idea came from the social justice committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Sangerville and Dover-Foxcroft.

The five-year agreement comes with an automatic renewal of five-year terms unless notice is served by either the town or the forest-garden organization.

“It’s a great spot for enjoying the riverfront and attracting people to learn more about organic gardening techniques and to enjoy that area,” Town Manager Jack Clukey said Tuesday. He said he hoped it would be a draw for local people and tourists.

Since there is an archaeologically significant site in the vicinity of the project, both the town and the forest-garden will adhere to requirements of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission as well as other federal, state and local regulatory agencies, according to Clukey.

The town will retain ownership of the property but will be held harmless for any injuries or problems that may occur on the property as a result of the long-term project, Clukey said. The organization also will be responsible for the development, maintenance and security of the site, as well as any toilet facilities should they become necessary.

The agreement can be terminated if selectmen feel the requirements in the agreement are not being met; if the project is no longer compatible with the other necessary uses of the site by the town; or if the board finds that an alternative use of the site would better serve the town’s interest.

In other business Monday, selectmen:

. Learned that bids for construction of the second phase of the demolition debris landfill were over budget. The town budgeted $34,000 for the work, but the lowest bid submitted was for $67,114. Selectmen voted to negotiate with the lowest bidder to reduce the project to fit the budget.

. Reappointed Tom Brown to the planning board.

. Appointed Dennis Dyer as the local Emergency Management Agency director. Dyer replaces Brian Mullis who vacated the post when he was elected a selectman.

. Learned that wastewater collection system projects would begin on Lawrence and Spring streets.

. Were told that Eastern Maine Development Corp. would resubmit a Community Development Block Grant application for a planning grant to study the redevelopment of the Moosehead Manufacturing Co. plant in Dover-Foxcroft. An application submitted earlier this year was not funded.