Robbinston eyeing subdivision ordinance

Robbinston voters will decide whether the town will have its own subdivision ordinance at the annual town meeting to be held on Monday, March 28, at 7 p.m. at the former grade school.
The proposed subdivision ordinance states that the purpose is to "assure the comfort, convenience, safety, health and welfare of the people of the Town of Robbinston, to protect the environment, to promote the development of an economically sound and stable community, and to uphold the State Subdivision Law." Subdivisions that existed prior to September 23, 1971, are not subject to the ordinance. The ordinance lists criteria for subdivision approval ranging from environmental concerns to the developer's financial and technical capacity for the development. The ordinance also describes the application requirements and process.
At the March 2021 town meeting, voters approved a six-month moratorium on subdivision development following a high end housing development plan for a 1,000-acre peninsula on Howard Lake in Robbinston, called Merriwood Sustainable Community, that went online in January 2021. The initial plan called for 44 homes ranging in price from $1.6 to $2 million and 1,000 to 3,000 square feet. In addition the plan called for a small farm and more. The target homeowner was described by the developer, Randall Solomon, as "people like me who aren't going to go homesteading but like that lifestyle, particularly in summer."
In late June 2021, Solomon said of the moratorium, "It's a tool authorized by the legislature for towns undergoing development and that feel that their ordinance" doesn't serve the town well. "I think that's totally legitimate," he explains, as something the town should be doing. As for a subdivision ordinance, he stated, "We have to wait and see what the new regulations will be. They have to be for the entire town, not just directed at us."

Vote on Sunday liquor sales
Before the town meeting, the polls will be open from 12:45 to 7 p.m. for the election of town officials as well as for voters to cast their referendum vote to approve alcohol sales on Sunday. The ballot states, "Shall this municipality authorize the state to issue licenses for the sale of liquor to be consumed on the premises of licensed establishments on Sundays."
The three selectmen -- Warren "Tom" Moholland, Jonathan Stanhope and Kevin Murray -- are all running for reelection, as are Dan Corbett for a three-year term on the school board, Earle Stanhope Jr. for road commissioner, Cathy Footer for tax collector and treasurer and Martha Brickett for town clerk.
At 7 p.m. the town meeting will commence in person to act on articles 2-31, which involve the town's budget line items, other administrative tasks connected to the town's financial duties and finally with article 31 to vote on the subdivision ordinance.