The town of Raymond has reached an agreement years after alleged shoreland zoning violations were discovered along Sebago Lake.
Town leaders accused contractors and a homeowner, Donald Buteau, of having work done on two adjacent properties without any permits.
Raymond officials allege that piles of rocks were placed along the shoreline, trees were cleared and other violations, which were first spotted in the fall of 2021.
Eventually, the matter headed to court. The state was also investigating.
In town paperwork, Buteau and Q-Team Tree Services said Big Lake Marine was responsible for retaining all required local and state permits for the project. In other documents, Big Lake Marine, which is owned by Robert Durant, broadly denied the alleged violations and claimed that the project and the work met state and local rules.
A lawyer representing the town of Raymond said representatives of the town, property owner, Q-Team and Robert Durant participated in mediation last week to resolve the notices of violation issued in 2021 and 2022 at the two properties.
As a result, the town’s lawyer said the parties have reached an agreement to resolve the violations.
“What the town and all of the parties want most, and which the agreement requires first and foremost, is the restoration of the two sites to bring them back into compliance with the town’s shoreland zoning standards. Restoration of the site has always been the town’s top priority,” Eric Wycoff of Pierce Atwood said.
Wycoff said the town will also get payments as reimbursement for the costs incurred in connection with enforcement and “will also provide a meaningful amount of penalties for the violations.”
He said there are several steps before the agreement is finalized, including approval by the town’s select board, which town officials anticipate will happen on April 4.
In a statement, Buteau confirmed an agreement has been reached.
“Out of respect for the citizens of Raymond, I feel it is not proper for me to have a statement or disclose the specifics of that agreement until after the public meeting,” Buteau said.
Because Big Lake Marine filed for bankruptcy, this will also have to be approved in bankruptcy court. Then the superior court will enter a judgment implementing the agreement.
Big Lake Marine declined to comment.
A Q-Team representative referred CBS 13 to the company’s lawyer for any comments.
