At Turner’s annual town meeting, scheduled for Saturday, April 9, voters will be asked to adopt the same comprehensive plan that was not approved at an Aug. 16, 2021 special town meeting.

I voted no the first time and will vote no this time as well.

I’m voting “no” on the proposed comprehensive plan because it proposes a commercial zone along the shoreland of the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park and other shoreland areas north of the park.

The Androscoggin River, from the confluence of the Nezinscot and Androscoggin to the southern border of the state park, is one the longest areas of natural shorelands from the New Hampshire/Maine border to Merrymeeting Bay. In 1990, the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park was purchased by the Land for Maine’s Future Fund to be preserved as a natural area for public recreational use.

The proposed plan speaks of a campground/RV park, marina, dining, lodging, rental businesses and other commercial uses allowed under the commercial district pursuant to state shoreland zoning rules. The commercial district as proposed extends the entire length of the state park’s natural shoreland, except for an area of important wildlife habitat.

The current plan and zoning standards provide for protection of this significant resource. If the proposed plan is approved, the unique natural characteristics of this area will be altered forever.

John Maloney, Turner