By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
ASHLAND, Maine — A meeting to discuss a proposed increase in the allowable weight for logging trucks along a three-eighths of a mile stretch of road, between the Realty Road and the back entrance to the former Fraser mill — now owned by E.J. Carrier Inc. of Jackman — drew a considerable crowd to the Municipal Building on Friday. Participants included loggers, mill workers, elected officials, highway specialists and one of the new company’s owners.
Taking part in the panel discussion were David Cole, former commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation who is now serving as a consultant to E.J. Carrier Inc.; Larry Carrier, owner; Sen. Troy Jackson, District 35; and Rep. Ken Theriault (D-Madawaska).
“I met with Larry and we talked about hauling heavier loads back to the mill. He was up front, wanted to be safe. So I started working at this bill (LD-1467),” said Jackson.
According to Jackson, the bill is designed as a demonstration project to promote economic development in the forest products industry. It was presented in Augusta by Jackson and co-sponsored by Theriault and Senate President Justin Alfond of Cumberland; Senators Ed Mazurek of Knox, Roger Sherman of Houlton and Mike Thibodeau of Waldo; and Representatives Wayne Parry of Arundel and Robert Saucier of Presque Isle.
Jackson said he’d discussed plans with Ken Sweeney, MDOT’s chief engineer, who indicated the bridge across the Aroostook River in Ashland “could take the added weight.”
“Town Council thought it was something to bring to the citizens. I don’t want to go further if citizens don’t feel comfortable,” said Jackson. “I think it’s a worthy project now that we know the safety issue is resolved.”
“I think there’s a good chance to pass this bill if everyone feels comfortable,” he said.
“I’m a Wallagrass boy and now live in Madawaska. Whenever I hear of economics that might work in the area — we’re going to look into it closely, with the support of the people. Being the chair in the House I’ve been able to work the bill forward and bring to committee,” said Theriault.
“I’ve been working with Larry the past year and a half — looking at some pretty good plans. We’ve looked at different modes of transportation: rail, trucking — how best to get product to market,” said Cole.
Having dealt with truck weights as commissioner, Cole said it’s a topic he “approaches with caution.”
“The first words out of Larry’s mouth, ‘We don’t want to do anything that’s not safe or doesn’t make sense.’ We knew if we were going to have a shot, we had to have Ken Sweeney on board,” said Cole.
Cole said this was a “last-mile situation” and that Sweeney “felt it can work.”
“It can be safe. Ken said the road and bridge can be preserved, with certain improvements,” added Cole. “It’s a compelling case involving less than a mile from the mill to the Realty Road.”
Cole said all the bill does is “make exceptions under certain circumstances and conditions.”
“It allows DOT to do that, according to configuration of trucks and what makes sense,” he said.
As currently written, the bill would allow trucks weighing up to 200,000 pounds to travel from the Realty Road to the mill, following certain guidelines, including reduced speed.
“Gross vehicle weight exceptions: As part of the demonstration project, the Commissioner of Transportation, after consultation with the Department of Public Safety and the Secretary of State, may authorize the use of certain types of vehicles on the demonstration transportation route with gross vehicle weights up to 200,000 pounds for transportation of logs and wood biomass,” reads a portion of the bill.
“The chief engineer (Sweeney) has to sign off on any exception and look at any further improvements. If so, there’ll be a 50/50 agreement between the Carriers and the state of Maine,” said Cole. According to Cole, the cost of any work required to improve the road and/or bridge will be divided between the mill(s) benefiting from the upgrades and the state.
“The bill is a demonstration project and could be applied to other areas of the state where this type of project makes sense,” said Cole. “If we’re going to compete in markets all over the world, we have to have the ability to get product out.”
A worker from Fraser Timber’s Masardis mill asked if this would give the Ashland mill an unfair advantage. Jackson said “this basically opens the door for other projects. I’ve met with Fraser officials and they’re not saying they want to put money into road maintenance. And the company involved has to be willing to put money up to fortify the road.”
Another man noted that special trucks wouldn’t necessarily be needed, noting his own vehicles could handle heavier loads and are no wider than what’s currently traveling on the road. The proposed change would just allow him to carry more product from the woods to the mill.
“This isn’t the first time. It’s been done in Baileyville. (The Carriers) are interested in building a mill here and provide jobs. DOT said it’s safe,” said Jackson.
“We want to be competitive, like Nashville Plantation with off-road trucks,” noted Town Manager Ralph Dwyer. “That’s the reason we want this here: to be competitive. We’re desperately needing jobs here. We’ll do what we can to promote it.”
An audience member wondered if trucks would be hauling from Bald Mountain, should this be approved. Dwyer indicated plans were to haul product from the mine to Nashville for transport by rail, not bring through Ashland via road.
“The bill said specifically ‘forest products,’ not mining,” Dwyer said.
Carrier indicated safety could conceivably improve, should the bill be approved.
“I’m not sure what traffic is now and what it will increase to, but depending on markets and flow, there may be a decrease in traffic, since one truck could carry more tonnage,” said Carrier.
When asked what type of product the mill would be producing, Carrier said “we’re looking at multiple options.”
“We didn’t come to town and invest money and all of this” for nothing, said Carrier. “We have plans for the future but I just can’t reveal them at this time.”
A man in the audience expressed his support, saying “It’s a wonderful idea if someone’s willing to invest in the community. There’re some things that need to be done to make it work, all doable. We have something here that will help the full community.”
“We don’t have enough here to keep a restaurant going, we lost our hotel. We need something to make it work,” he said. “My hat’s off to the Carriers. Fraser has the same opportunity down there. As Mr. Carrier said, most of us operating on-road highway trailers can put 150,000 to 160,000 and stay within height and weight.”
Cole noted that officials may strike the 200,000 figure and basing weight on the type of equipment used to haul the wood.
Dwyer said it was a matter of trying to employ people at the mill in Ashland like before.
“We want a piece of that pie,” said Dwyer, noting at one time the Ashland facility employed upwards of 140 people. Jackson indicated once the Carriers have the mill operational, more than 50 people could be employed there.
The meeting came to a close with Dwyer asking how many Ashland residents in the room would be in favor of going along with the bill, as presented. The majority of those in attendance raised their hands in approval. Most of those who did not raise their hands were not residents of the community.
Theriault encouraged all interested parties to attend a public hearing on the bill on Wednesday, May 8, at 1 p.m. at the State House, Room 126.
“When citizens come in and say ‘we support this,’ it makes a big difference,” said Theriault. “If anyone’s interested in testifying, they’re welcome to come.”
“If you have strong feelings going forward, it would be good to have you there,” said Jackson.
