Town Commissioners — 2024-08-14

The Queenstown Commissioners met August 14, 2024. Town engineer Brian Fitzgerald reported a completed repair plan for Maryland Avenue drainage, ongoing Phase I lead service line work, and results from a sewer smoke test that identified problem areas (the Town will notify property owners to fix cleanouts, investigate three areas possibly damaged by Comcast, and plans to camera lines after Talkie finishes work and when the water table is high). Thomas Klassen requested approval to operate an indoor (and possibly outdoor) cannabis cultivation facility on the recently annexed Dudley property; the Planning Commission recommended rezoning the parcel to Countryside (CS) and allowing cultivation in CS with a 3,000-foot buffer from residential zones or dwellings, and the Town Attorney will draft ordinances (Commissioners emphasized odor-control requirements). Public Works items include Apex scheduling drainage work, a corroded culvert at 7308 Main St. to be investigated/replaced by SHA, a valve replacement on Main St. scheduled for August 20 with paving August 22 (residents to be notified), and a possible TV inspection of sewer lines in early October to decide whether to proceed with the Old Wharf I&I project or use ARPA funds elsewhere. Other updates: Planning Commission approved new by-laws, the Town is pursuing USDA interim financing and bond counsel for the new water tower project, the I&I project and membrane/valve automation remain on hold, final park concert planned Aug 17 (volunteer help requested), and reported fund balances were General $33,741.51, W/S $143,082.42, ARPA $611,497.30.