Maine State Representative Tom Saviello (left) and Maine Senator Walter Gooley (far right) along with the New Vineyard Fire Chief Doug Churchill present Fred O. Smith II with an expression of sentiment from the House of Representatives and Senate along with a plaque from the New Vineyard Fire Department for Smith’s 50 years as a volunteer fireman in the town of New Vineyard at Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting. (Laura Dunham photo) NEW VINEYARD — Voters at Saturday’s town meeting unanimously gave their approval in support of a 180-day moratorium on any kind of wind facility development in their community.

The some 60 voters voiced their approval after a presentation by planning board member Adrienne Rollo who explained that it would be better if residents adopted a Moratorium Ordinance. According to Rollo, the moratorium would allow the planning board, selectmen and the citizens of New Vineyard to develop an ordinance that would allow for responsible development

while prioritizing the town’s resources, as well as the health, safety and wellbeing of the people. It would also ensure that the whole town would benefit from any wind facilities the board may approve.

Although Fred O. Smith is now a resident of Farmington, voters allowed Smith a chance to speak about his proposed contract with Wind Power Developers First Wind along with Smith’s partners, Peter Tyler and Ronald Wing. Smith told the New Vineyard residents that the 20 windmills proposed by the businessmen and wind company would not have any effect on the town of New Vineyard and that access roads would be from Industry. The network of wind towers would be connected by underground cable so that if you were driving up Route 27 all there would be would be a series of graceful towers located along the ridges of various mountains, said Smith.

Smith said that he and Wing traveled to Mars Hill to see their wind farm development and was impressed how little impact the wind towers have on that community. As far as noise goes, said Smith, “my refrigerator makes more noise.” Smith also added that he was opposed to any swath of land being torn up in the town of New Vineyard.

Moderator Roger Lambert went though the 47 articles on the warrant in about three hours. Elected to another three-year term on the board of selectmen was Frank Forster who, after a written vote, beat William McLatchy by a vote of 39 to 21. Also re-elected was Earl Luce Jr. as Road Commissioner. Adrienne Rollo and Anne Sullivan were both elected to two-year terms on the Planning Board and Randy Bates was elected as a three-year alternate.

Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen Arlene Davis said that last year some $340,713.14 was raised through taxation, this year that amount was cut to $273,213.14 or about $67,000 less to be raised through taxation. This was due partly to voters giving their approval to raise $5,000 for the fire truck replacement account instead of $10,000, no money to be raised for the Abused Women which had a $500 request and $60,000 to be taken from surplus for Town Charges.

Many other articles passed without question including the approval of $500 for legal fees; $7,000 for the town’s transfer station, $18,000 for the fire department; $46,000 for summer roads, $6,000 for the maintenance of Smith Hall, $136,000 for winter roads, $3,875 for the library, $10,000 for insurance, $10,100 for NorthStar Ambulance Service, $3,000 for town operating costs, $6,000 for liquid calcium and after some discussion the sum of $25,000 to be used to bring the library/town office complex into compliance with OSHA and the State Handicap Accessibility Act for improvements in front of the offices with filling, regrading and paving the lot.

Voters also gave their approval authorizing the selectmen to pay the State of Maine Snowmobile registration refund to the New Vineyard North Snowmobile Club.

State Representative Tom Saviello and Maine Senator Walter Gooley presented Fred O. Smith II with an expression of sentiment for Smith’s 50 years as a volunteer on the New Vineyard Fire Department. Fire Chief Doug Churchill then presented Smith with a plaque from the fire department and citizens for Smith’s service.

Outside directing traffic and escorting those into the hall for the annual town meeting was Franklin County Deputy Sheriff Clyde Barker who has been doing “this service” for more than 30 years. Barker is currently running for a position on the County Commissioners Board.

Other politicians on hand for Saturday’s meeting included Russell Black who is running for Saviello’s position and Irv Faunce seeking a seat in the House of Representatives; both are from Wilton.