An abutter to Edgecomb Solar Farm, LLC along Route One complained April 17 about a possilbe land use violation by the business. Prior to the meeting, Dan Nichols sent board members before-and-after photos of the property owned by the solar company. The before photos showed a vegetative buffer between the two properties. The more recent photos, "after," showed a massive space created by downed trees from heavy winds and rain.

Nichols described the situation as a "land use violation" and sought planning board support in restoring the vegatative buffer zone. "It's creating a negative visual impact. The solar farm is directly in line with my backyard. I purchased the property in 2018 from my grandfather. He owned the property since 1962," he said. "I plan on being here another four to five years and I'm concerned about resale value."  

The planning board directed Code Enforcement Officer Marian Anderson to send a letter along with the photos to the solar company in an effort toward self-enforcement. "We hope that will suffice allowing them to be a good neighbor and letting them know of the situation before additional action is considered," Board Chairman Rebecca Graham said. 

In other action, Anderson reported Pioneer Motel no longer had any pending state violations. In April 2024, Maine Department of Health and Human Services' inspection of Pioneer Motel on Route One identified three critical and 11 non-critical violations of Maine Rules Relating to Lodging Establishments. The violations included rodent infestation, lack of adequate cleaning, no commercial laundry facility, improper linen storage, missing smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, improper extension cord use, no material safety data sheets for on-site chemicals in use, loose and rotten handrails, and equipment and facilities needing maintenance, repair, or replacement. 

Following the report, Pioneer Motel surrendered its licensing resulting in a reclassification. The business is no longer a motel, under state supervision. The new classification is rental rooms, under municipal supervision.

Anderson reported the business is now operating as a seasonal multi-dwelling unts. 

The planning board meets next at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1 in the conference room.