FREEPORT — The Town Council on Tuesday scheduled a public hearing for Aug. 4 on a proposed ordinance amendment governing dead-end roads.

Councilors on July 21 also awarded a contract for a new fire truck and approved transferring ownership of a road to Regional School Unit 5.

Councilors Kristina Egan, Andy Wellen, and Jim Hendricks were not present at the meeting.

The councilors in attendance set the Aug. 4 public hearing to discuss and vote on an ordinance amendment recommended by the Planning Board. It would change the waiver criteria that the Project Review Board uses to determine if the number of lots allowed on a road and the length of the road can be exceeded.

No more than 15 lots are allowed on dead-end roads and the roads can’t be longer than 2,500 feet. Exceptions are now allowed if there are no other access roads, the shape of the road makes a longer length necessary, or if open space can be preserved by creating a dead end.

The new proposal is that up to 18 lots will be allowed if there are more 80 acres of undeveloped land on the parcel where the road is located, or if the road has access to public trails and parking is provided.

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The road would also be allowed to extend up to 3,500 feet, if the shape preserves open space. It would also have to have a pavement width of 20 feet and four-foot shoulders.

Councilor Melanie Sachs said she expects many members of the public to discuss the proposed amendment at the public hearing because residents have already been contacting her about the issue.

Fire engine

Councilors awarded a contract to Pierce Manufacturing for a new “multi-purpose response vehicle” for more than $640,000. The town’s capital plan appropriated $750,000 for a new vehicle in fiscal year 2016.

The new vehicle will be used to replace Engine 3, a 1988 pumper that was supposed to be replaced in 2009. Instead, the town repaired it for $56,000.

Deputy Fire Chief Paul Conley said the department expects to have the new fire engine within 10 months.

Councilors also approved transferring ownership of a portion of land near Snow Road, along the property line between the School Department and the town. RSU 5 said it would grant an easement to the town so the public could still use Snow Road.

Councilors received an explanation of the RSU’s request on July 7 as part of a presentation on the Freeport High School renovations, which are expected to start in October. Town Manager Peter Joseph now has to execute the deed to the road, which Sachs said should be finalized in the fall.

Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or kgardner@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.


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