CMI pursues permit from planners

Tamworth board could rule on permit at Nov. 1 meeting

TAMWORTH — The Tamworth Planning Board will continue its closely watched review Wednesday night of an application for a local wetlands permit filed by racetrack builder Club Motorsports Inc.

Minus three members who have recused themselves from voting, the board could issue a decision sometime after the session opens at 7 p.m. at the K.A. Brett School. The hot-button issue was said to have regional impact, warranting notices sent last month to towns around the region.

Chairman David Goodson said he was unsure if a ruling would be reached. CMI is expected to respond to an outpouring of public comment, much of it negative.

The bid by CMI to tailor large-scale plans for a driving club on Mount Whittier to a town wetlands ordinance has been splashed with controversy. The track drew a latest round of widespread worries from the public over potential environmental impact at a recent public hearing. Last week, an agreement with the town to postpone the potentially final review session until Wednesday night also sparked protest.

Three members of the board, and some conservation officials, have stepped aside from voting under intense pressure from CMI. The company said past statements by these officials pointed to possible bias.

Track opponents fear environmental degradation, including increased noise and pollution of a major underground aquifer. CMI's local supporters charge environmentalists are pushing away a good business and a rare chance at a rush of new good jobs.

Local citizen's group, Focus: Tamworth, successfully sued to force CMI to apply for the wetlands permit after the company two years ago said it didn't need it.