Spinney asking Alna to reconsider ramp rejection

Fri, 07/03/2020 - 8:45am

    As he said he might, Jeff Spinney decided to ask Alna’s planning board to reconsider its June 29 rejection of his proposed ramp project at the Sheepscot River. Spinney, the board’s chair, said he will chair the parts of the July 7 meeting that involve other applicants and not chair his two requests: a permit for earthwork above the high tide line; and the request to reconsider the ramp vote.

    To not reconsider it would be absurd, Spinney told Wiscasset Newspaper July 1. He has cited a number of issues with the board’s deliberations, including a review of some but not all communications on the history of the ramp’s use. That was an egregious mistake, he said. In a July 1 email to Spinney’s lawyer Kristin Collins, member Jim Amaral explains why the other items did not make it into a packet he compiled.

    Spinney sent Wiscasset Newspaper the email. In it, Amaral requests of Collins, “in the future whenever you present written materials in a Zoom meeting that you also send copies of those materials to the board via e-mail. I hope this clears up your question and indicates that my efforts were considerable and in no way were intended to prejudice your client or mislead my fellow board members.”

    Members split 2-2 over whether or not the ramp Spinney sought to regrade and stabilize at his Golden Ridge Road property is a legal, non-conforming structure grandfathered from the town’s 1993 shoreland zoning.

    The board Tuesday is also set to take up Midcoast Conservancy’s request to further landscape Head Tide Park; Joan Belcher’s and Jeff Philbrick’s requests for home business permits, Belcher’s sign request and Corey Lander’s request to put in a split rail cedar fence.

    The board meets on Zoom at 6 p.m.