After Alna’s appeals board decided a series of appeals March 4 on resident Jeff Spinney’s shoreland project, members said the matter will go back to the planning board that approved Spinney’s request.

“Now that the majority of the appeals board feels the boat ramp is a structure, doesn’t it now get remanded to the planning board,” appeals board secretary Mary Bowers asked.

“It does,” appeals board chair Alex Pugh said. Bowers had dissented on the structure issue. She described the project off Golden Ridge Road as earthwork for soil stabilization and erosion control.

The appeals board found as moot Code Enforcement Officer Tom McKenzie’s issuing of Spinney’s permit before the planning board issued its written decision.

Asked for comment via text later, Spinney said: “The decisions (the appeals board) made were so bizarre it’s hard to know what to think right now. They were citing things not in the record and stating some things that were flat out incorrect to begin with and again operated the meeting in a manner that didn't allow attorneys to object or intervene ... so it’s going to be appealed for a nunber of reasons.”

Resident Cathy Johnson, one of several appellants in the three latest appeals, commented via email: “We are pleased (the board) overturned the planning board decision ... The (appeals) board correctly determined that the boat launch constructed by Mr. Spinney constitutes a permanent structure, in violation of Alna’s shoreland zoning ordinance. The Sheepscot River is the winner in this decision.”

The appeals board determined it had seven days to issue its written report.