by Frank Schroth

Someone flipped the bird, Mike Kelly finally popped, Furze showed his stern side — basically, there was frustration all around as the Planning Board continued its hearing of a special permit for Thayer Nursery.

Two more neighbors, Chris and Tina Teevans, joined the hearing to voice their concerns. Ms. Teevans  , like other abutters, expressed her desire to have the noise and dust issues addressed. She was very reasonable at the start but it didn’t take much before she became expressive using blunt language and flipping the bird. She did not direct this at anyone but was expressing the message she felt she was getting from Maggie Oldfield of Thayer Nursery. Ms. Teevans later apologized. She said she was frustrated. Maggie Oldfield also said she felt frustrated.

The discussion between the abutters, the board, and the applicants (Josh and Maggie Oldfield) focused on the construction of a fence that would shield abutters from noise and dust. They batted about thoughts on height (up to 10′), materials (cedar or chain link), and placement (basically anywhere there is an abutter). This went on for some time — too much for Member Kelly who finally popped off saying, “10′ fence vs 8′ fence . . . This can’t go on forever. . . with all due respect I don’t think we are gaining anything by spending hour on end by explaining the charge of the Planning Board (this in response to a statement made by John Rowe) . . .we know what our charge is.”

Mr. Rowe took exception to Ms Innes involving herself in the application, caliming she was re-writing it. Member Innes defended her involvement saying, “I reserve the right to clarify when I don’t understand what the information is . . . I did not revise [or write] anything [about the application].

Mr. Whiteside attempted to get the discussion back onto the fence. Mr. Rowe interrupted at which point Mr. Furze among others told him to stop.

As the meeting reached its close Mr. Furze requested that either the applicant or someone from the board summarize “where we are and what we have agreed to because at this point I am not sure if anybody knows.” There was consensus on that and Assistant Town Planner Tim Czerwienski will prepare a summary that will be reviewed at the beginning of the next session to be held on May 14th at 7:15.

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At the Selectmen’s meeting on the 29th Member Conlon gave a brief update on the status of the Hendries property. There were two recent meetings with Carrick, the developer, and the Conservation Commission. Ms Conlon reported that the Conservation Commission had granted Carrick a demolition permit. They have not yet granted one to the town. She said that they (town officials) have had very good discussions with Carrick regrding the possible transfer of the town owned land to Carrick with understanding that they will build a mixed use building rather than the current proposal for a 40B. She said that the Connellys were friends and neighbors and she was hopeful of a good outcome.

The board voted to extend the demolition date to July 31st.

The board also voted to extend the agreement with Curry College to manage the Ulin Rink until May 15th in order to give time for the two parties to work on a longer term agreement.

The board also voted their change in organization. Tom Hurley is now chair and David Burnes is the Secretary.