Lisbon councilors hear pitch for hunting on town land, wood harvesting on landfill site

Apr. 3—LISBON — Maine Game Warden Cpl. Cody Lounder spoke with the Town Council on Tuesday about allowing hunting on town properties where it is prohibited, such as Beaver Park and the Pinewoods landfill property.

Lounder said he believes deer have been proliferating in certain areas as evidenced by R Belanger and Sons Farm struggling to keep the deer from destroying its crops. The farm takes 25-30 deer each year under a special permit issued by the state to protect its crops.

"Now, if we could open up those areas to local hunters that might quell that down," Lounder said.

Every year Lounder finds evidence of illegal hunting on town properties where it is prohibited and much of that property is not properly posted, he said. He believes if the area is opened to hunting it will put pressure on the deer, resulting in them spending less time in the area and reducing the number of deer.

He said opening the areas up to only hunting with archery equipment would be in the best interest of everyone. It is possible to also prohibit hunting within a certain distance from established recreation trails. The town could also allow hunting for people with explicit permission to control the number of hunters in the area.

Chairman Harry Moore Jr., the council's liaison with the Conservation Commission, said he is against the idea and concerned about the deer that use the areas as bedding grounds.

There is also concern about bullets possibly damaging the landfill's sealed cap, causing leaking or other adverse effects, he said. Other councilors expressed those same concerns with the cap, which already has bullet holes in it.

Lounder suggested only allowing hunters in that area to use archery equipment, which could reduce the chances of damage to the cap.

Some councilors spoke in favor of allowing various types of hunting on town land, while others supported hunting with archery equipment specifically.

Moore suggested Lounder meet with the Conservation Commission and Parks and Recreation Department before councilors consider a vote on the issue.

Councilor Norm Albert suggested that all stakeholders in this issue meet in a public setting where residents can come and voice their opinions on the matter before councilors decide.

Town Manager Glenn Michalowski will contact people to determine the next step.

In other business, Angela D'Amours, chairwoman of the Lisbon Development Committee, asked the council to allow the committee to move forward with a sustainable wood harvest on the town landfill property on Pinewoods Road to pay for a feasibility study on possible uses of the land.

Last fall, the committee started looking at town land and what could be used for development, she said. One of the first properties it looked at was the landfill site. She did note some concerns expressed by the Conservation Commission were valid.

The Conservation Commission is concerned that any development or disposal of town resources without sufficient consideration beforehand could have a polarizing effect on the community or could result in a loss of future opportunities, according to a letter to councilors in the meeting packet.

The Conservation Commission cited the sale of the town's Worumbo site and another on Route 9 as examples of having negative consequences for the town, according to the letter. The Conservation Commission also shared concerns about the viability of well water on the site.

The feasibility study would give town officials an idea of alternative uses for the landfill property, along with housing, given well water concerns on the property, she said. Possible uses for the land D'Amours mentioned included solar panels, which "might be a perfect fit for that particular piece of land," she said.

Moore said the Conservation Commission does not support the harvest. He is not convinced that the feasibility study is not going to tell the town anything he does not already know — that nothing can be constructed there. "I think it's going to be prohibitive cost-wise," he said.

Councilor Christine Cain said as long as the study is not focused on housing specifically and other uses are being considered then it could be beneficial.

Councilor Raymond Robishaw thought it was a good opportunity and supported the harvesting.

Councilor Fern Larochelle said the only way to know what the land consists of is having someone evaluate it. He said not looking into possible uses for the land would be a disservice to the community.

The town is expecting to receive $40,000-$60,000 from the wood harvest, with 15% going to the harvester, according to Economic Development Director Ross Cunningham.

All councilors, except Moore, voted to authorize staff to harvest the property to fund the feasibility study for that property, along with other town properties.

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