By Suzanne Hodgson

Staff Writer

Kennebunk Selectmen and residents, after two years of discussions and board meetings, told Central Maine Power officials they would not help the company push through a zoning change.

Selectmen voted 4-3 to reject a zoning change to allow higher transmission line poles needed to complete the CMP project. The vote essentially halts the project – for now.

CMP is building a new 345-volt transmission line through hundreds of miles in the state. The lines pass through more than 80 towns, including Kennebunk, from the top to bottom of Maine.

Since first coming before the board in 2008, CMP has met with the planning board and board of selectmen multiple times to change height restrictions for the power lines and build a $32-million substation off Maguire Road. A variety of other zoning requirements have been addressed to finish planning stages of the project in Kennebunk.

Kennebunk is not the only town facing problems with the new power line. Saco told the power company it wouldn’t agree to the project coming through the town unless the lines are buried underground.

CMP spokesman John Carroll said burying the lines underground would be too costly for a project of this magnitude.

The Aug. 10 meeting was the second time CMP went before selectmen. Last year, selectmen asked the planning board to review the project and get more answers to their concerns. In April the planning board again approved the project and forwarded it to selectmen, who pushed off their final decision until Aug. 10.

Selectmen weren’t the only ones at the meeting telling CMP “no.” Residents in Lower Village – the one part of Kennebunk not powered by Kennebunk Light and Power – complained that nothing has been done about what they consider the poor quality of power and service CMP provides them.

“This process has dragged on for long enough. I would support a refusal from the board,” said Ed Karytko, Kennebunk resident. “It’d be a minor miracle for the proposal to pass in November.”

Selectman David Spofford reminded the crowd that while selectmen could vote against the ordinance and essentially the project, the ultimate decision comes from the Public Utilities Commission in Augusta.

After an investigation, the PUC approved the new transmission lines to improve power quality throughout the state. The PUC regulates all public utilities in the state.

“I’m wondering why you would send this to the voters. The PUC has the final say on this and they accepted whatever final plan CMP has proposed,” said resident Gayle Spofford. “To put this in front of voters again might lead them to believe they have the ability to change some of this when they don’t.”

Town Manager Barry Tibbetts said the vote would change the maximum pole height. Without the change the PUC could allow poles as high as CMP wants.

David Spofford reminded residents the line would bring in roughly $150,000 in tax revenue to the town. The line would be in a TIF district, which could raise an additional $120,000 for the town’s emergency vehicles and other TIF-approved purchases.

“At the end of the day I think this will be decided by the PUC,” David Spofford said.

Carroll told selectmen during past meetings if the ordinance changes fail, CMP will continue with the project and involve the PUC to push the project through, even without town approval.

“It comes down to how hard does the town want to get slapped,” said Selectman Al Searles.

Construction of the new transmission lines is slated to begin this fall.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.