BETHEL — The planning board met Wed., August 9. Present were: Chair Cheri Thurston, Vice Chair, Laurie Winsor, and board members: Carolyn Dunn, Bob Everett, Jodi Everett and Jim Bennett.  Member Mitchell Benedict was absent.

The board approved four permits.

Following a prior site walk on July 27, Cross Excavation at 684 West Bethel Road, (Map 28 Lot 001), was approved for a  4,095 square foot salt shed and a 2,295 square foot garage expansion to an existing building and the expansion of the parking area with two retaining walls.

The board made financial capacity (the means to complete  a project) a condition of approval of the site plan.

The board approved Shoreland Zoning Permit, (Map 25 Lot 003), at 48 Mill Hill Rd. The permit had been sought by the Town of Bethel for a pump station upgrade at 48 Mill Hill Road.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Toby Walker said contractors will, “be dismantling the old pump station steel can [26 feet deep that opens into an area 100 to 100 feet in diameter], filling that in and repurposing the existing wet well on site.”

The existing site will be backfilled and covered with grass.

Wade Cavanaugh and Beth Weisberger asked for a change of use, (Map 25 Lot 238-002), for 48 Cross Street. The space had been a daycare and will change to light industrial use for Gneiss Spice.

New school superintendent Mark Kenney came before the board, representing MSAD #44 for approval of a 20′ X 40′ outdoor classroom pavilion at Telstar High School, 284 Walkers Mills Rd., (Map 08, Lot 048, 284).

The board worked with Kenney to make adjustments in his submitted application to meet their standards for a permit. The superintendent later sent a financial capacity letter that confirmed that the project is grant funded by the State of Maine.

Thurston reminded Kenney that the space has been approved as a classroom and not a public space.

Future planning board meetings are Aug. 23, Sept. 13, and Sept. 27.