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Westbrook Selectmen Take In Public Views on Lyman Offer

An unsolicited offer from Ron Lyman to buy town land at 1112 Boston Post Road near Old Clinton Road drew a crowd of those opposed to plan to the Sept. 29 Board of Selectmen meeting. Lyman wanted it for more parking for his real estate and real estate development office building; speakers wanted the land to remain designated for conservation and a future pocket park.

In August, Lyman had proposed two options to the selectmen: the purchase of a 3,335 square foot parcel abutting his own that appraisers valued at $27,000, or the purchase of an abutting 15,000 square foot parcel that appraisers valued at $109,000. After Lyman presented the selectmen with his proposal and the appraisals, the selectmen said they would review the material before making a decision.

On Sept. 29, the Board of Selectmen took public comment on Lyman’s proposal to the town.

First Selectmen Noel Bishop opened discussion of the topic by reading from a letter submitted by Conservation Commission Chairman Tom ODell who listed his objections to selling this town property. Then he opened the floor to public comment.

First to speak was Public Works Director John Riggio, who said of the parcel, “The only town access to the cemetery on Old Clinton Road is through the land Lyman is seeking. I think we should just say, ‘No.’”

Conservation Commission member John Rie said of the Lyman proposal to buy the town land, “This goes against the Plan of Conservation and Development, which has a pocket park there.”

Rie said it would be “folly” to sell it.

Long-time resident Ed Binder said, “I think the town should just dismiss these offers to buy town land.”

Conservation Commission member Mindy Gordon agreed, saying, “I don’t think we should consider this proposal from Mr. Lyman. It’s in the Plan of Conservation and Development as a pocket park and it’s in a sensitive ecological area.”

Resident Ray Fontaine ended the public comment period with his thoughts on the deal.

“I’ve lived here 50 years. This piece of land in question is one of the few remaining open spaces along Route One where you can see meadows. Once a piece of open space is gone, it’s gone forever. I’m against [the sale],” said Fontaine.

Bishop then closed the discussion, saying the Board of Selectmen would take no action on the proposal that evening. He said he would send the comments that the speakers had offered on to Lyman and bring the topic forward again at a future BOS meeting that Lyman could attend.