2006 January 13
by Eileen Curry
No action was taken at the regular Perry selectmen's meeting on Monday, January 9, regarding a request from the Perry Improvement Association (PIA) for town officials to endorse a funding proposal for the Town of Perry from Quoddy Bay LLC. The proposal, which includes the development of an liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facility in Perry, also offers a package that would offer the town approximately $250 million worth of valuation to the town, according to a letter sent out to residents shortly after the company announced that it had filed a pre-application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in Washington, D.C., for the development of an LNG project at Pleasant Point.
PIA members had met with Brian Smith of Quoddy Bay LLC, and the company agreed to include the development of an LNG storage facility in Perry. After the letter was sent to Perry residents explaining that the facility could have a significant impact on the tax base, Quoddy Bay LLC committed to provide $1 million per year to Perry to fund several proposed projects, including a children's recreation fund, playgrounds and trails. A total of $100,000 would be committed to a school scholarship fund on a yearly basis. Also, according to the letter, 24-hour coverage of fire, ambulance and security would be funded should the services be required. Several other funding projects were listed in the proposal.
On Monday, December 26, and then again on January 9, PIA President David Turner asked selectmen to endorse the package that was negotiated between Quoddy Bay LLC and PIA membership. During the January 9 selectmen's meeting, Chairman John Spinney told Turner, "We are taking advice from MMA [Maine Municipal Association]. They referred us to our local lawyer, our town lawyer John Foster, and everything is still up in the air." Several residents were present during both meetings and waited after the regular meeting on January 9 to hear that the request was in the process of being reviewed by town counsel. No further comment or announcements were made.
Other items on the selectmen's agenda included an ongoing search for a tax assessor for the Town of Perry. Brenda Gove, former tax assessor for the town, submitted her resignation effective December 31, 2005. Selectwoman Jeanne Guisinger had some information and leads on potential candidates. Selectman Dick Adams offered to call Pembroke Selectman Milan Jamieson to find out if Pembroke had filled their vacant assessor position. Adams also suggested that if anyone had tax questions to contact Town Clerk Janice Scanlon.
The next regular selectmen's meeting is on Monday, January 23, at 4 p.m. at the Perry Municipal Building.
© 2006 The Quoddy Tides
Eastport, Maine
Article republished on Save Passamaquoddy Bay website with permission.