Hank McPherson, who is preparing an application for the Land Use Regulatory Commission, told the commissioners at their meeting, that he purchased about 2,000 acres of forestland from John Hancock Life Insurance Co. He wants to sell 30 lots on Moosehead Lake and 40 hillside lots that have a view of the lake to recoup some of his costs. The rest of the property will be used for timberland, McPherson said.

Although Beaver Cove is an established town, LURC regulates the subdivisions and planning for the community. McPherson plans to ask LURC to rezone the property from general management to residential subdistrict so the project can proceed.

"In rural areas, bringing in people can be helpful to the local economy, and we're trying to be cognizant of that," McPherson told the commissioners. "I think we can make this a really good project."

McPherson said he is working with Greenville Town Manager John Simko to develop a nonprofit homeowners association to manage the more-than-four-mile road system in the project that connects with Greenville. That association also would have a say in the architectural plans of homeowners to ensure that new buildings "fit in" and they would likely oversee a forest management plan, he explained.

In other business on Tuesday, the commissioners learned they cannot develop a barking dog ordinance for unorganized territories since there is no provision for it under Maine law.

Barking dog complaints in the unorganized territories have been lodged not only with the commissioners, but also with Milo and Brownville town officials. Brownville Town Manager Sophia Wilson offered on Tuesday to help convince the Legislature in their next session to enact a law specific to Piscataquis County to address barking dogs in the unorganized territories.

Another issue discussed Tuesday was the Lyda Kouslouski property in Orneville. The commissioners last year ordered the property owner to remove the junk and discarded vehicles on her property and suggested that another site visit be made to ensure that she is in compliance.

Milo Town Manager Jane Jones recommended to the commissioners on Tuesday that they also encourage other homeowners along Route 16 to clean their properties as well. Because it is the main route from Interstate 95 to Milo, the sights along the road do nothing to help convince business owners to invest in the community, she explained.

"That's not the introduction you want them to see," she said.

Commissioner Fred Trask agreed with Jones. "It's time we take the steps to follow through," he said, and "set an example."
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Thursday, June 09, 2005 edition of the Bangor Daily NEWS and is used here with permission."