Perry board clears bulkhead project on Gleason’s Cove

After two hours of serious public input during a Perry Planning Board public hearing on January 5 regarding an application for a bulkhead project proposed by Eldon Morrison, Gerald Morrison and Perry Marine & Construction LLC on Gleason Cove Road, board members voted in favor of approving the application. Although the planning board gave its approval for the company to construct a high-water bulkhead and a gravel ramp leading down to a lifting pad, a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is required to begin the project. According to Eldon Morrison, a permit application has already been submitted.
About 60 people attended the hearing. Because of conflicts of interest, Chairman Bill Newcomb excused members Gerald Morrison, the applicant, and Jeff Morrison, a relative, from the table and all voting rights. Representatives from five companies -- Paul Koziell, chief engineer of Morrison Manufacturing Inc. (MMI), CPM Constructors, First Perry Realty, Perry Marine & Construction (PMC) and Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) Director of Operations Bob Lewis C explained the project details.
Lewis told the group about a plan to contract with business owners Gerald Morrison and his uncle, Eldon Morrison, in the fabricating and assembling of five turbine generator unit support base frames at Morrison's manufacturing company on Gleason Cove Road. On November 30, ORPC had signed an agreement for PMC to provide construction management and assembly services for its TideGen Power System to be installed in two phases over the next two years in Eastport and Lubec. Lewis said he hoped that the planning board would approve the bulkhead project and offered that Morrison's manufacturing business "exemplified technology, project and community development."
Eldon Morrison expressed his desire to "give back to Perry and Washington County." Morrison said he was successful in developing his companies and he "didn't hesitate" when he was asked by his nephew Gerald to assist him in his plans to expand his current business. Morrison said that the project would manufacture the base frames, load them onto a barge and lower them into the water for transport. The project would fabricate five base frames over a period of four years. The fabricated frames would be part of an ORPC research project and would be inspected periodically and maintained for any repairs. The frames would be transported on an access road to the water and would be 40' long by 60' wide and 22' high.
Gerald Morrison said, "We would fabricate smaller pieces at our current shop and move them across the street to assemble them into the main frame structure. Once the sub-assemblies are put together, we will bring in a large crane and lift the unit onto a barge, then transport it off shore to the deployment area. This will take place once every three to four months. The weights of the smaller modules will be determined by the limits of road capacity. The assembled unit may exceed 120,000 pounds depending on the final design." Eldon Morrison also said that although that equipment was large, the project itself was not high impact.

Public reaction
Andres Verzosa, a Portland small business and Gleason Cove Road property owner, was concerned about the potential volume of traffic on the road during the four-year project. Verzosa also voiced a concern about the visual aspect of the work area saying, "Will it look like a scrap heap? Will there be a lot of stuff on the road? Will you plant trees?" He mentioned a former junkyard that was adjacent to the Morrison property and said, "The way it is now, I'm not keen on it [the project]." Verzosa said although he is a recent property owner in Perry, he plans "to retire here, and I don't want to see an industrial site on my way to the state park."
The Morrisons told Verzosa that they did not anticipate any increase in traffic and said that a steel truck will come about once a week. The additional cars would be employees coming to work. They said the operation would not be an industrial site and that there would be a minimum impact of what one sees. Eldon Morrison said, "Gerry knows how to be a good neighbor. His business has been here for 20 years. We want to work with people and try to make an effort to please everyone." Verzosa said, "I want to make sure the volume of traffic is not out of hand. I know you will make an effort of goodwill in working with the neighbors."
During a segment later on in the meeting, planning board member Linda Newcomb addressed some of the traffic concerns by adding, "You know we have track meets here in the fall with school buses down here and in the spring we have 30 cars or more lining both sides of the road to watch the baseball games. There are a lot of cars going in and out during these times of the year."
Gleason Road resident Batya Zamir Van Buren read a statement regarding her concern for the Little River shore and the 11 acres of land the Van Burens own near the proposed bulkhead site. "Having lived here for the past 41 years and raising my children here, this estuary means a lot to me. I don't think that the Morrisons have addressed the wildlife and plant life that may be affected by this project." Zamir Van Buren listed animals and plants that may be affected by the project, including shoreland birds, osprey, great blue herons, sandpipers, herring, alewives, seals, and the importance of the ecosystem and the food chain relating to it. "I feel like this project may interfere with all the living things here." Planning board member Angus McPhail said, "If I thought it [the project] was going to affect it in a bad way, I wouldn't vote in favor of it. All of your concerns would be taken into consideration and you can direct them to the DEP. All we can do as a board is to listen to these comments and make sure they are on record."
Other concerns and questions were asked about hazardous waste, dredging and the current alewife population. McPhail said there were "hardly any" alewives in the river.
Eldon Morrison stated, "Our application is before the DEP. They are aware of the project and anyone can reference the project to make comments. We will abide by the laws and regulations concerning all of these issues. Of course there will be some impact here, but we are responsible people and we are not here with a Superfund site. We won't be dumping anything into the water." Morrison said there wouldn't be any dredging, and he said that the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife was also consulted about the company's intent.
Another concern focused on potential cost or repair to the road for the Town of Perry if the project had to obtain permits to exceed posted load limits. The load limit for town roads is 30,000 pounds during the spring months. The Morrisons said that they would be able to comply with the limit. "We're in the construction business; if there is a problem, we will fix it." Selectmen David Turner said that if permits are required the town could make adjustments if heavy loads were anticipated.
Will Dupuis, a former employee of Morrison Manufacturing, said, "I worked for Gerry Morrison for 15 years. A lot of people don't know that Gerry has hired at least eight welding students over the past years that live in Washington County and travel from Jonesport to Princeton to work here. They are learning the trade in a professional manner, and they're also making a lot of money and spending in Perry. They're gassing up at the Strawberry Patch store and buying sandwiches at the Farmer's Union. He is helping the economy here."
Tugboat pilot and Eastport resident Bob Peacock said, "I'm happy for Perry if this project goes through. I've worked with Gerry for the past 25 years. He cares about people, his products, and he is meticulous in everything he does. I wish nothing but the best for this project."
Eastport City Manager Jon Southern spoke in favor of the project, saying, "It's not just about Eastport; it's about Perry and other towns working together to bring high-end quality jobs here. I support it fully." Ryan Moore of The Boat School in Eastport said, "We are working with ORPC on a weekly basis. We fix their boats. We do repairs to their equipment; we have students who live here and want to stay here. We are training students to do a job and to do it right. I am in support of this project to keep good jobs here."
David Turner said he submitted a letter in favor of the project on behalf of the Perry Board of Selectmen. Morrison received other letters of support for the project from Senate President Kevin Raye, Harold Clossey, representing Sunrise County Economic Council, and Dean Pike, owner of Moose Island Marine of Eastport.
Near the end of testimonials, Zamir Van Buren said, "Although I am not clearly opposed to this project, I can't say I am in favor of it -- not until it is reviewed and the effects of the project are known. I appreciate all of the character references for Gerry; he really is a very nice guy. I am in favor of creating more jobs for people, but I still think this has an industrial feel to it." Abutting land owner Jean Farris spoke, "I know you need jobs, but I think that this is in the wrong place. I am opposed to this. I think my residence would be devaluated if this is passed."
The Perry Planning Board made three motions in favor of the project, which stated that the company is in compliance with all requests; that the company complied with general provisions; and approved with conditions the application that is to be reviewed by the DEP.