5 Town Dam Committee: 11/20/24 JOINT STATEMENT  5 TOWN DAM COMMITTEE  (SILVER, ALAMOOSOOK, TODDY)  Representatives from the 5 Town Dam Committee met at the Bucksport Town Office on Wednesday, November 20th to discuss the public meeting held on 11/14/24 in connection with the petition filed by Bucksport  Mill LLC seeking to relinquish ownership of the  Silver Lake, Alamoosook, and Toddy dams.   The resounding reaction was that the meeting was no more than a frustration to all who attended.  Simply giving folks 3 minutes to ask a question and providing no responses was not an effective way to consult with the public as required by law.  Answers to the questions are expected to be posted on the website https://bucksportmillanswers.com  The meeting last week did not constitute consultation with the Towns. Each of the 5 municipalities is required by statute to hold a town meeting to consider ownership of the dams.  This vote will only indicate the towns’ interest in pursuing the due diligence necessary for making an ownership decision in the future.  The meetings are scheduled as follows: Blue Hill - November 25th,  5:30 PM, Select Board Room Surry - December 3rd, 7 PM Select Board Room Penobscot - December 7th, 1 PM Bucksport - December 12th, Town Council Chambers Orland - December 13th, 6 PM, Orland Community Center The Towns through their attorneys have submitted an extensive list of questions to Bucksport Mill LLC.  We have received a response that indicates that the company will consult with the towns after our Town meetings have concluded. Nearly ¾ of the questions at last week's meeting were actually relevant to DEP which was not represented.  The questions were about the process and decision criteria that will govern the State review.  The Committee agreed to request a meeting with DEP to discuss these issues.  Fundraising for legal expenses remains a significant issue.  As a reminder, Orland, Penobscot, Surry, and Blue Hill have secured joint legal representation with the Portland firm Norman Hanson & Detroy.  We are working hard to prevent the current dam owners from walking away from the dams with no repercussions.  If you can contribute, please send a check to the Town that represents you.  Your help is greatly appreciated.  

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Posted on , by Clerk

Joint Statement 5 Town Dam Committee

11/6/24 JOINT STATEMENT 

5 TOWN DAM COMMITTEE 

(SILVER, ALAMOOSOOK, TODDY) 

Representatives from the 5 Town Dam Committee met at the Bucksport Town Office on Wednesday, November 6th to discuss the new petition filed by Bucksport  Mill LLC seeking to relinquish ownership of the  Silver Lake, Alamoosook, and Toddy dams.  

On November 1st, the DEP accepted the petition as complete despite the fact that much of the information about the current conditions and costs associated with the dams was lacking.   We have altered DEP to our concerns and are asking that they follow up with additional information requests.  All organizations represented in the Committee have communicated to the State that without detailed information on the dams, it is impossible to have any meaningful consultation related to ownership.

Bucksport Mill LLC has announced a public meeting to be held on Thursday, November 14th at 5 PM.  The meeting will be at Maine Maritime Academy’s training facility in Bucksport on the old paper mill site. The format for the meeting is still unclear but all interested parties are strongly encouraged to attend and be prepared to ask questions.  

Section 908 of the statute requires that each municipality must consider and act on the issue of dam ownership at a public town meeting. The meeting must be held no later than 60 days after the municipal officers receive notice.  This does NOT mean that the towns will be deciding on taking ownership, it will be the beginning of the conversation and an acknowledgment that no decision can be made without having all of the information we have been requesting from the owner.   Each of the 5 Towns will be scheduling meetings for their citizens.  Penobscot’s will be December 3rd, Bucksport’s December 12th, and Orland’s will be December 13th at 6:00pm.  Surry and Blue Hil will schedule theirs soon.  Details of the meetings will follow.

Finally, Orland, Penobscot, Surry, and Blue Hill have secured joint legal representation with the Portland firm Norman Hanson & Detroy.  With the help of the Toddy Pond Association and the Alamoosook Lake Association our towns are seeking contributions to our legal defense fund.  We are working hard to prevent the current dam owners from walking away from the dams with no repercussions.  If you can contribute, please send a check to the Town that represents you.  Your help is greatly appreciated.