Retired Lincoln County Planner Robert Faunce advised Alna’s planning board May 12 to adopt bylaws as soon as possible. Noting the Zoom session had almost 40 attendees, Faunce told the board: “So I guess there’s a project of great local interest, (and the bylaws) would provide good guidance for you as you go through the process.”

Since last year, some residents have been raising issues with board chair Jeff Spinney’s proposed dock, float and ramp. Spinney has said he has been recusing himself for the application. The proposal was not on the night’s agenda. It was, for a highly attended May 7 meeting the board called off after technical and other issues. A new session for Spinney’s proposal has not been set. According to a recent letter from Spinney’s lawyer Kristin Collins, the project has Maine Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval.

Selectmen have hired Faunce to help with the planning board’s bylaws. He told the planning board May 12, the draft has what it should and includes some points from public input. He said once the board adopts bylaws, it can amend them at any regular meeting because they are not an ordinance. One draft bylaw drawing questions was to have comments to applicants or to the board be made through the chair. “You may think that’s a little bit strict (but it) works best in most towns ... People talking back and forth and private conversations going on – that doesn’t work very well.”

Faunce clarified for Spinney and member Peter Tischbein, a member wanting to question an applicant would request the chair’s permission; then that member, not the chair, would do the asking.

The next day, Faunce sent town email subscribers an updated draft and invited public comment though May 19 via Town Clerk Liz Brown at alnaclerk@gmail.com or 1574 Alna Road, Alna, ME, 04535. 

“I will then review your comments, prepare responses and address them with the planning board at the next meeting at which the bylaws will be considered.  Please note – this meeting has not yet been scheduled,” Faunce wrote.

Also May 12, the board approved Jesse Chaney’s request for a business permit. He builds sheds to order, at home on Golden Ridge Road, Chaney told the board. He called the business seasonal and said it will have no sign and no late hours with a nail gun going off. And the board set a May 14 site walk at Joan Belcher’s Sheepscot Road property where she seeks to add a greenhouse.