Vote for the amended ordinance

Editor,

Just a few thoughts about the Speak Out program on Oct. 10. Those on the panel were Tim Tandberg, who represents the current pit owners; Peter Busque, who is proposing to operate a pit at the Nash Road/Route 302 intersection; Margaret Pinchbeck, abutter and member of Windham Preservation Committee whose lawyer drafted the amended ordinance; and Ingrid LeVasseur, another member of the Windham Preservation Committee. As usual Bill Diamond did a good job moderating and keeping the participants focused on the issue at hand.

One question asked was why the Windham Preservation Committee didn’t meet with the pit owners and others impacted by this proposal. The fact is that the Windham Preservation Committee group did meet with three prominent pit operators to listen to and discuss any concerns that pit/quarry operators may have. After three weeks of waiting to hear the concerns from the operators, Windham Preservation Committee was told by one of the pit owners that they would not continue to have discussions with the Windham Preservation Committee. The pit owners did not state a reason for this. Yet, the Windham Residents, which is the group of businessmen who are against the ordinance change, stated in their literature:

“Both of us, and others impacted by this proposal, offered to meet with the proponents to address concerns and see if a reasonable compromise could be reached.”

Current pit owners were also concerned that they would need to reapply to the planning board every five years. Most citizens have their work performance reviewed on an annual basis at least.

Storeowners have their performance reviewed daily by their customers. Even politicians face re-election every four years. Why should pit owners be exempt from the rules?

Issue was made of the retroactive statement in the proposed ordinance and how unfair it is. Is it fair when 14 of the 16 abutters were not notified of the impending project by certified mail? The community had to act quickly because they were not aware of the possible quarry until two days before Mr. Busque went before the planning board. Mr. Busque emailed (April 6, 2006) concerned neighbors, when he heard they were organizing, saying that they should not take up the planning board’s time because “the planning board is very busy nowadays.”

Windham Residents literature also states: “The referendum trounces individual property rights. Protecting our community and natural resources has always been a top priority, and is evident in our land-use ordinances, but we still must balance the interest of our community and respect for individual property rights, which our current law effectively does. This proposal will destroy the balance.”

If our current law effectively “balances the interest of our community and respect for individual property rights” why are the neighbors so concerned? Currently the ordinance is trying to balance the rights of one businessman against the rights of dozens of individual property owners. A quarry has divided the town.

Windham is watching and hopefully realizing that it’s time to slow down and look at what we’re doing. The current balance needs to be retooled; right now if your pockets are deep enough you come out ahead. No matter what happens Windham needs to take a serious look at the laws that govern this town. Mr. Busque said the only way he should be stopped is with a moratorium. I actually agree wholeheartedly with him on that point. We all have too little precious time, so let’s spend it organizing and planning for what Windham should be.

The pit and quarry businesses in Windham are generally good, well managed institutions that respect their customers and know their patrons are not the enemy. Some businessmen might even do the right thing at this juncture and look at what’s best for Windham and look at other options. So far, Mr. Busque has apologized only to his fellow business owners for dragging them into this, not to the town and taxpayers for the added expenses he has and will continue to create. He has not offered to slow down the process to look at issues, but instead, to push full steam ahead.

I would urge every citizen of Windham to vote for the proposed amended ordinance. To start setting boundaries in a town where an outdated ordinance needs attention now, not six months down the road. If you’re unsure about what the amendments mean just read the proposed amended ordinance at http://www.town.windham.me.us/ and think about a quarry coming in just a few hundred feet away from your home, then vote.

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