Westport Island selectmen did not hold much hope in a plan presented at their meeting Monday evening, by resident Dennis Dunbar for a development of a Regional Impact Assessment District (RIAD) in Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties.

The objective of the RIAD is to ensure that no town in an impact region is financially harmed from a project in another town without consideration, according to Dunbar.

In a written statement Dunbar said, "The coal plant proposal in Wiscasset is but one example where such a regional solution to a regional problem would be appropriate. Other recent examples where the mechanism would have helped are proposed LNG terminals, proposed wind farms, proposed landfills act."

Dunbar told the selectmen, a mechanism is needed to allow regional participation and sharing of benefits to offset economic harm.

According to Dunbar's written statement the RIAD would work much like this: "If a major project is contemplated with regional impacts, abutting towns might request formation of a RIAD with their county commissioners. Each town that files a request to join would be given the opportunity to present the impact to their community in a public hearing."

"The County Commisionsers would then direct establishment of a Tax Based Sharing agreement by the host town. The tax based sharing agreement would establish the sharing formula for tax revenue from the project on the basis of a weighted average of the member towns assessed valuation and a factor of degree of impact."

"The host town would be afforded an initial base share, plus their distribution share based on the formula. Once the county commissioners develop the RIAD plan it would be presented to the voters in the region for approval. Such approval would be required before a project could be authorized."

Selectman George Richardson told Dunbar this proposal would require legislation, and that he doubted if it ever would be approved.

"The state tried that with Maine Yankee, and it didn't fly," Richardson said. "Wiscasset gave us 50 percent reduction in school tuition for many years, and county taxes were reduced to other towns because of Maine Yankee value."

Using the Westport Island town reports from 1963 through 1995, the actual student count during the construction and operation of Maine Yankee added 20-40 students to the Westport Island school population.

Dunbar gave the selectmen a "Likely impact to the town of Westport Island with the proposed coal plant" statement, which gave two scenarios, the first adding 20 students and a 10 percent loss of valuation would increase the town's mill rate by 25 percent. The second added 40 students and a 20 percent loss of valuation which would increase the town's mill rate by 56 percent.

Selectman Brenda Bonyun told Dunbar his assumptions were not accurate because the fire and police protection among other things had not been included in his calculations.

Dunbar admitted there was not a lot of research that went into his theory, but he wanted to show the possible impact to Westport Island, and other surrounding towns that will be adversely impacted by the proposed gasification plant.

Richardson said, "I'm not saying what you are doing is not good. But, I question the legality of it. Would we want people from surrounding towns to have control of what we do on Westport Island?" Richardson asked.

"I believe they would be justified if we were trying to build something that would impact them," Dunbar replied.

During the recent election, November 6, nine surrounding towns had petitioners at their polls gathering signatures of voters opposed to the plant. About 1,358 signatures were gathered, when added to the signatures gathered prior to the election, a total of 2,340 signatures opposing the gasification plant in Wiscasset was gathered, according to Dunbar.

The nine towns gathering petition signatures included: Alna, 91 signatures; Arrowsic, 54 signatures; Bath, 282 signatures; Boothbay, 374 signatures; Boothbay Harbor, 57 signatures; Edgecomb, 142 signatures; Georgetown, 85 signatures; Westport Island, 141 signatures; and Woolwich, 132 signatures.

Dunbar told the selectmen he wasn't sure what was going to be done with the signatures. "But, it was a sure indication the surrounding towns are concerned about the regional impact this plant might have and may still have, if built," he said.

"Wiscasset taxpayers could see a 80 percent mill rate reduction, Westport Island and other surrounding towns could see a increase in their mill rate." Dunbar said. "Isn't this taxation without representation?"

Richardson told Dunbar the property values during the Maine Yankee time did not decrease, but, in most cases, stayed the same. However, since the Maine Yankee closing, property values have increased.

Each of the selectmen thanked Dunbar for his efforts, even though they did not hold much hope that such a district would be created.