By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

The Saco Planning Board wants more information beforedeciding the fate of a high-voltage transmission power line upgrade near cityneighborhoods.

The board voted unanimously Feb. 23 to table furtherreview of a proposed project that Central Maine Power Co. officials say isnecessary to provide power to Saco Bay residents.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission already hasapproved the $26 million Saco Bay Reinforcement Project, despite objections from Saco residents and city officials.

The board asked the power company to provide moreinformation about how the project would affect property values. The planrequires site plan approval for a new substation in the industrial park andconditional-use approval.

Project engineer Steve Harding of OEST Associatessaid the power company went through an “extensive” 33-month PUC approvalprocess before receiving a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Thecompany asked for permission to replace more than seven miles of 35-kilovolttransmission line with a double 115-kV line.

The commission granted the company permission toinstall a single 115-kV line and a single 35-kV line, which can be upgraded inthe future. Harding said the company will replace 174 existing 35-foot woodenpoles with 96, 85-foot metal poles.

City Planner Bob Hamblen said the project is“extensive and not a simple issue” because of its proximity to neighborhoodsand Saco Middle School, as well as a 2008 city ordinance that requireshigh-voltage transmission lines to be buried.

The ordinance becomes a “sticking point” for theproject near Route 112, where it passes the school, Sierra Woods subdivision,Chelsea Circle and Rotary Drive, Hamblen said. The ordinance requires allhigh-power transmission lines to be buried “within 200 feet of any residence,school building, school playground, publicly owned recreational facility, fieldor park, or any occupied place of employment.”

Harding said there is a “significant costimplication” to bury lines because it costs about $2 million for every 900feet. Saco’s burial requirement places the company in a “difficult position,”he said.

“It would add millions of dollars to the project,” hesaid. “The PUC said it was not appropriate to ask ratepayers to pick up thecost. We can’t go against what the PUC stipulated we do.”

Planning Board Chairman Neil Shuster said he “can’tremember another project that was so obviously set up to fail.”

“Truly our hands are tied (by the ordinance),” hesaid.

Planning Board member Sandra Guay asked Central MainePower to submit evidence of how the value of abutting properties will beaffected by the project.

Harding said the issue of property values is somewhatsubjective because some people believe proximity to existing highways and powerlines where there could be future development already is taken into account. Hesaid anecdotal evidence also shows some people like to live near power linesbecause it provides open space for recreation.

Hamblen said the planning board has no authority todeviate from the ordinance and must either deny the project or approve it witha stipulation that lines be buried. The board is expected to look at theproposal at its March 16 meeting.

Central Maine Power spokesman John Carroll said it isclear the planning board will have no choice but to deny the project because ofthe ordinance. If Saco does not grant approval, the company will go back to thecommission and ask the burial requirement be waived. The PUC has the authorityto waive local zoning requirements, he said.

During the meeting, three residents urged theplanning board to carefully consider the implications of approving the projectnear their homes. Pat and Don Sandos, who live on Sean Place in Sierra Woods,said they respect the need for increased power but are worried about theproject negatively affecting property values.

Carl Moutlon of Chelsea Circle said he has followedthe project for four years. He said there is “no need” for the project and hewould prefer it not happen. However, he said the city has an obligation tofollow the zoning ordinance.

“It’s really not that complicated. The ordinance isclear, it’s black and white,” he said. “If it’s within 200 feet, they’reburied. I think you have an obligation to do that.”

Attorney Joseph Mazziotti, who represents twocommercial abutters to the proposed substation, urged the board to lookcarefully at plans for the station. New transmission lines and a substation onhigher ground than its neighbors could negatively affect property values andcreate more noise and light, he said.

Mazziotti asserted the PUC “cannot ignore theregulations of the city of Saco” and said the board should look closely atrequiring the power company “to be a good neighbor.”

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at282-4337, ext. 213.