WILTON — The Board of Selectpersons voted unanimously Tuesday to schedule a public hearing and special town meeting to address continued support of Central Maine Power’s transmission line and cleanup of the former Forster Manufacturing site.

“Originally, I was going to suggest the select board remove support of the CMP project and remain neutral,” Selectperson Tom Saviello said.

The town filed as an intervener in October 2017, but has not rescinded its initial support of the $950 million, 145-mile New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line, which will deliver power generated by Hydro-Quebec in Quebec to users in Massachusetts. The line through Maine would begin in Beattie Township in Franklin County and extend east and south into Somerset, Androscoggin and Cumberland counties.

A settlement conference was held Tuesday with Public Utilities Commission hearing examiners, CMP, the Office of Public Advocate and the Industrial Energy Consumers Group, Saviello said.

“They issued an order of a settlement agreement,” he said. “It was a confidential meeting, so I cannot talk about the settlement at this time. Rather than a select board decision, I think this needs to be a decision of the town.”

He said more information would be available before the meeting so citizens would be able to decide whether to continue their support or be neutral.

Voters will also consider accepting funding for Forster Mill cleanup. 

The town has been awarded a $150,000 grant and a $150,000 loan through Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments, and a $100,000 grant and $100,000 loan through the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. 

EnviroVantage of Epping, New Hampshire, completed initial asbestos removal and demolition last year, clearing about half of the site. The company submitted a quote of $348,895 to complete the remaining demolition and cleanup, Town Manager Rhonda Irish said.

The public hearing, required to accept funding, will be held Tuesday, March 5, at 6 p.m. at the Town Office. The special town meeting will be held immediately after the hearing.  

dmenear@thefranklinjournal.com