PHILLIPS — The Town of Phillips will ask the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to further define the mapping of four newly designated resource protection areas prior to posting the warrant for the June Town Meeting.

At a recent public hearing at the Phillips Elementary School, about 15 people aired their concerns over the boundaries, as defined on the maps. The boundaries are within 250 horizontal feet of the normal high water line. Alan Hagan, who has property abutting Cranberry Bog, said the boundaries were "completely wrong" in that area.

John Maloney, Senior Planner, Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, drafted the new Shoreland Zoning Ordnance, bringing the town's present ordinance in conformance with state regulations. He explained if the town does not adopt the ordinance, DEP will turn it over to the Board of Environmental Protection who will draft an ordinance for the town. That would be more stringent than the one here tonight, he said.

The major difference, he said, is that the Planning Board, which was tasked to design the ordinance with his assistance, has an opportunity to hear residents' input and address their concerns. The Board of Environmental Protection will not do that.

The town has a July 1, 2009 deadline to enact the ordinance without state intervention.

Resource Protection is the strictest of the shoreland zones. Maloney pointed out these areas are defined by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife as habitats to protect birds. Wetlands are determined based on vegetation, hydrology and soils. Most of the reclassification in the shoreland zones was less restrictive with the exception of four areas: Cranberry Bog, off Tory Hill road, an area off the Salem Road and a place off the Weld Road.

Another major change in the ordinance is that the Maine Forestry Service will be in charge of timber operations. The town had a choice of handling this totally, partially or giving it to state foresters. Maloney said it was his recommendation that the Maine Forestry Service has the necessary expertise and it would be more appropriate for them to make decisions in this area.

The Shoreland Zoning Ordinance was last amended in March 2003.