The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • 50

50 THE BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE JUNE 21 1 987 Rail plan rejected at outdoor town meeting tfoteboo V'vl V. Chilling view By Stephen J. Simurda Special to the Globe BELCHERTOWN Sharply divided voters rejected a plan to create an automobile depot serving all of New England at a special town meeting held outdoors yesterday in order to accommodate an unprecedented turnout. After a short debate on a hot morning, residents voted to reject a zoning change that would have permitted limited industrial use on a 124-acre parcel owned by Central Vermont Railway Inc. The proposed auto depot Air Sights delight visitors atop a high peak MOUNT CADILLAC, MAINE Summer apparently stopped about 25 feet below the top of this peak Friday afternoon, catching visitors by surprise.

They came to see a breathtaking view from what is claimed to be. at 1,500 feet, the highest point on the Atlantic Coast. A 270-degree vantage point atop Acadia National Park takes in Frenchman's Bay, the Schoodic Peninsula and Mt. Desert Island in the foreground, and a horizon of hazy open sea and dark mountains. At the crest, a tiny granite plateau where visitors climbed to read landmark identifiers, a cool wind crackled with unexpected force.

T-shirts billowed away from bare skin alive with goose bumps. "One of the reasons I like coming up here is you dop't have to worry about it being too hot to hike," said a woman. One couple wearing backpacks completed a three-hour hike accompanied by their Siberian Husky. The dog squatted behind a stone pedestal to get out of the wind. Three young men, baring open chests to the wind, mused upon the possibility of flying off the mountain in a hang glider.

"We couldn't steer it," one said. A woman asked a man, "Honey, why are these rocks the way there are?" The cracked granite, composed of pink feldspar, glassy quartz and blackish hornblends, is in fact the product of a complicated geological phenomenon. "A glacier did it." said the man. The woman replied, "I'm glad the glacier left would be used to distribute new General Motors cars to dealers throughout New England and replace an exiting facility in Fram-ingham, according to Larson. The cars would be brought to the de MVS rU.9.

III I Ml Globe photo Richard Carpenter Voters cheer after defeat of auto depot proposal at outdoor town meeting in Belchertown. pot by train and as many as 90 trucks a day would pass in and out of the facility, traveling on rural roads past few homes out of Belchertown. The zoning proposal needed a two-thirds, voter-approval majority to be adopted. "We're going to have to do a lot of reconsidering of our position," said Phillip C. Larson, general manager of Central Vermont, town in Hampshire County, were jubilant at the outcome of yesterday's meeting.

"I feel like we can get back to the business of running the town of Belchertpwn again," said Selectman Bernard R. Kubiak, one of three board members who opposed the plan. Proponents said the. plan would have little environmental impact, provide tax revenue and create jobs. Opponents argued that Belchertown residents don't want industry.

Emotions were so charged on the issue that the meeting was moved outdoors after an estimated 3,000 people, two-thirds of the town's registered voters, turned out for the original meeting on June 1 That was by far the biggest crowd ever for a town meeting here and the high school auditorium couldn't accommodate the crowd. The meeting was postponed until yesterday. The frustration of the yearlong process that ended in the town meeting vote has taken its toll on many. Selectwoman Shirley R. Aldrich said after the vote that she will probably resign from the board because it has become polarized on development questions.

The defeat for Central Vermont doesn't necessarily mean Belchertown has heard the last of the depot proposal. "I think they'll be back in some different form," predicted Aldrich, "They've got too much invested." The marketing effort by the railroad included giving green baseball caps and bandannas to supporters. The caps were ordered not worn during town meeting. Kubiak says he also suspects the issue is not dead. "They won't be back immediately, but they'll be back," he said of the railroad.

As for Central Vermont, Larson yesterday was non-committal, but says, "I wouldn't rule out anything." based in St. Albans, and a subsidiary of the Canadian Na tional Railway, which is owned by the Canadian government. Opponents of the project, which has inflamed emotions in this normally quiet, agricultural New breed of politician emerging in N.H. steps, too." Another woman wondered if there are seals in Seal Harbor. Her male companion said he saw one three feet from a boat he had been in.

Above the crest, two ravens fought their way against the Jetstream. A new arrival clutched the hood of her wlndbreaker against her head. Piercing blue eyes scanned the sea close to Seal Harbor. "There's a double-sailed schooner at two o'clock," she said to a stranger. He strained his eyes but could just make out a vague shape of faint white.

Two young men tried to remember what they had been told about the Cranberry Islands. "Don't they have the best musseling?" said one. "No. it's the best place to see a deer. I think," said the other.

STEVEN MARANTZ Going with the flow At height of season, honeybees abuzz NORTH HERO, Vt. In the Lake Champlain Islands last week, the summer air was full of shoreline smells, the vistas opened to New York across the silver-blue water, and the farm fields had begun the clover flow. Clover flow is what beekeepers call this time, from now through July, when summer has its first, fullest blossom. Along the gentle sweep of fields that run up the Champlain Valley and across these broad islands, the glaciers left a limestone soil that is sweet, and is loved by clover grasses. The white-Dutch clover and the alfalfa, when they flower, are loved in turn by honeybees so this region produces New England's richest N.H.

PROSPECTS Continued from Page 49 Court justice who resigned in 1985. Former aide to conservative Gov. Meldrim Thomson often represents opponents of Republican Gov. John H. Sununu.

A con servative who won praise from reporters and publishers for championing free-press issues. Cochair-man of the 1988 primary campaign of US Rep. Jack Kemp. Says he expects to seek office because "I am really into the idea that we owe something to the state. Attorney General Stephen E.

Merrill, 41, of Manchester. Former Sununu campaign counsel and lobbyist, the first attorney general since 1970 not appointed from within the office. A corporate lawyer who has made a point of pros Massachusetts Gov. John A. Volpe in 1964.

Republican leader of the New Hampshire House. Eloquent speaker influential in passing interstate banking law. "I would like to be in Washington. I would like to be in Congress and the Senate." Thomas D. Rath, 42, Concord attorney specializing in corporate and municipal law.

Close friend and campaign manager for Sen. Warren B. Rudman, former attorney general and GOP treasurer. Commentator for Manchester's WMUR-TV and Concord's Yankee Cable Network, director of the 1988 presidential exploratory committee of White House Chief of Staff Howard H. Baker and a consultant to Kansas Sen.

Robert Dole. "If there comes a time when John Sununu doesn't run for governor, I would take a look at it." Democrats: Mayor James W. Donchess, 37, of Nashua, mayor since 1982, alderman since 1978. A lawyer who practiced in Manchester, ran for Executive Council in 1982 and lost. Worked on the 1980 gubernatorial campaign of Hugh Gallen and the 1984 presidential primary, campaign of California Sen.

Allen Cranston. "I am seeking reelection as mayor of Nashua. I have no definite intentions to seek statewide office, but neither am I ruling that out. Joseph Keefe, 33, of Manchester, corporate lawyer, former aide to Sen. John A.

Durkin in Washington. Served as vice chairman of the state Democratic party and is said by influential Democrats to be planning a campaign against US Rep. Robert Smith. Asked if he is running: "I'm taking a serious look at it." State Rep. Wayne King, 32, of Rumney.

Chairman of the Democratic policy committee. A mountain guide and real estate broker in his third term as state representative. One of the most sought-after Democrats by the 1988 presidential contenders. Considered making a challenge to Rudman in 1986 then changed his mind. Was in Florida and couldn't be interviewed last week, but has previously acknowledged a desire to seek higher office.

Steven McAuliffe, 39, of Concord, litigation attorney. Vaulted into the public eye when his wife, Christa, was named the first teacher in space, then died in the 1986 Challenger explosion. Appointed trustee of the University of New Hampshire by Sununu. Co-chairman of the 1988 presidential campaign of Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden.

Says "not really" when asked if he intends to run, then adds that Democrats can only win if new people get involved. Sen. James R. St. Jean, 35, of Manchester.

First-term state senator, Manchester native who delivered papers to Gov. John King. Worked for Durkin and Gallen, formed an effective working relationship with Senate President William Bartlett, a conservative Republican. "If a Democrat was looking to run for statewide office, certainly 1990 would be the year." Their road to power won't be easy. The present generation of leaders is not quitting.

Sununu has said he'll seek reelection and his 1986 opponent. Paul McEa- chern, kept open a campaign office that will be the basis for a 1988 challenge. Chris Spirou, whom Sununu defeated in 1984, has said, "You haven't heard the last of this kid." The congressional incumbents, Smith and Gregg, are in their early 40s and such Democrats as Manchester lawyer Paul Gagnon and Harrisville energy activist Bruce Anderson may run again. But, said Durkin, "I see that there are a lot of people planning their inaugurations five, 10 years down the road." In interviews, many members of this group describe themselves as different from their predecessors. The newcomers, said McAu-, liffe, "Tend to be people who like to compete.

They know what it takes to win and that compromise is the essence of success. They play to win, not to indulge their own idealism." Donchess said. "In the old days, being governor was almost an avocation. You served for one term, never more than two. Today, because of the complexity of government, that custom has changed.

The people who seek office have to be more committed to spending longer time, to making a career of it." ecuting murders personally. At the present time I'm not con vinced that I will be a candidate for statewide office. J. Bonnie Newman, 42, of North Hampton, President of the Business and Industry Association, former dean of students at commercial harvest of honey, and this time is when almost all of it is made. This is Ed Hazen's 40th clover flow.

The retired high-school teacher from Keene. N.H., tends 125 hives he calls them colonies in six bee yards that are scattered around North Hero. When Hazen walks down the path to one of his yards, a certain sound becomes very loud. The yard has a dozen hives, each one looking like a stack of dresser drawers. Around them are thousands of honeybees.

The bees pepper the air; they push into wriggling throngs around the entries to the hives, and they leave on looping flights to the clover flowers. The lower two sections of each hive are deep, like your bureau's bottom drawers. In those the bees built up the early, dandelion and fruit-blossom honey that they needed to multiply and survive. Now beekeepers are putting on "supers," shallow upper sections that the fervent colonies will fill with clover nectar at the rate of up to 19 pounds a day. Each day Ed Hazen opens those hives, checks to see if they're full and need another super.

Sure, he gets stung. Some colonies, he said, are crosser than others but when it's a bright summer day and bees are busy, they're generally In good humor. After four decades of clover flows, Ed Hazen still likes keeping bees. He still finds them interesting: "You'll never learn all there is to know about bees," he said. "Not by a long, long shot." DOUGLAS WILHELM the University of New Hampshire.

Worked in Washington as chief of staff to Republican US Rep. Judd Gregg, associate director of White House personnel and assistant secretary of commerce for economic development. Asked If she will run, responds, "Not right now." State Rep. Vincent J. Palumbo, 32, of Kingston.

Electrical engineer and real estate developer, campaigned door-to-door for Inn recalls a bygone era in 104th season i Weather delays balloonists i in bid to cross Atlantic ASTICOU Continued from Page 49 Many guests are friends and family of residents of the exclusive area, Kimball said. Guests Include ambassadors, politicians, and dowagers. But the guests also include the newly successful seeking a quaint, mannered atmosphere. "One avant-garde California couple really bought Into it," said Rich Robinson, assistant manager. "They bought a house In Bar Harbor.

I guess they enjoyed hob dawn today as they had intended, they would have been forced into a more southerly route than desired because of a massive air depression over Newfoundland, they pointed out. New weather predictions by flight meteorologist Bob Rice of Bedford, Indicate that depression will move north by Tuesday, thereby permitting a more northerly and a shorter route. "The other problem about going on Sunday was the slight possibility of being sucked down to the Azores," said Branson. In addition, calm winds are needed here while the huge balloon is Inflated, and the winds should be calmer on Tuesday, said project manager Thomas Barrow. Branson and Lindstrand hope to land In England.

"It would be wonderful to land back in the United Kingdom." nobbing with established eastern ers. By Ray Richard 1 Globe Staff SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN. MAINE Because better weather is expected later in the week, two British balloonists postponed yes- terday their plans to take off to- day In their attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a hot-air bal- loon. "Tuesday looks to be the next best possibility," Richard Bran- son, the 36-year-old captain of the i flight, told a news conference at 5 the Sugarloaf. USA ski-resort, 4 from which the balloon will be launched.

"We could go on Mon- day. but that Is less likely." Waiting another day or two could shorten by 25 hours the time the Virgin Atlantic Flyer, the largest balloon ever made, will need for the 3.400-mlle flight, ex- plained Per Lindstrand, 38, Bran- son's partner on the flight. The balloon, which will be kept aloft by air heated by propane burners and the sun, can stay in the air about 100 hours, he esti- mated. i If the balloonists had left at leave in September. We work together and sleep together -1 mean sleep In the same house and really get close." Six marriages in the last 15 years have resulted from summer romances among staffers, Robinson said.

He met his wife. Muffy. while working at the inn. "There's so much life In the bowels of this hotel it's like 'Upstairs Downstairs' In that respect," said Robinson. "Great loves are made and broken.

It's a short season feelings are intense." The dean of staffers Is Toole, a middle school teacher in Bangor, who has been at the inn for 35 years. Toole Is a touchstone for former employees, and a cheerleader for current ones. At the general staff meeting Friday morning, Toole closed with a Knute Rockne type speech, saying that staffers "are the guts behind Astlcou's quality and reputation." "I'm known as a company man," said Toole. "I hope when you leave in September you'll have a lump Inside because you hate to leave. Have a super summer." Moments later, the first guest walked through the front door, two hours earlier than expected, catchine evervbodv off guard.

The does not advertise or even list itself in the Yellow Pages is based on the support of the stockholders, attention to detail, and the enthusiasm of the staff, Kimball said. The stockholders are a small group of local and Philadelphia patrons, among them Brooke As-tor, committed to maintaining the Asticou as an institution, Kimball said. Dividends are not paid out, and profits are put back Into the property. In return, the Inn is operated so that local residents have access, particularly at the regular Thursday night buffet and dance. Detail is key Detail is stressed because regular clients are apt to feel proprietary about the inn.

At a meeting of waiters and waitresses Thursday, maltre d' Mark Condon stressed the Importance of clean tablecloths. "Crumbing Is absolutely Important," he said. 'It's the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to do a good Job, instead of Just getting the Job done," said Jim Tracey, assistant chef and University of Malne-Orono student. A free room In an employee dormitory makes the Job attractive, Kimball said. Half of the current staff Is returning from last summer.

Many of the staffers are younger sisters of former staffers, such as Carole Blanusa, a University of Washington student, the fourth of four sisters to work here. "We open the season with a party and close It with a party," said Blanusa. "It's really sad to Billy Joel wore a T-shirt and blue-Jeans to dinner, and was handed a coat and tie. He put it on, but did not return for another meal during his weeklong stay. "If I let someone in without a tie I'd be stopped by one of the other guests," Robinson said.

"He or she would say 'Do you know what you Special tables Precious window tables with a view to the harbor are assigned to those who have been guests for the most number of years. The menu has the traditional boiled lobster, roast beef, and broiled chops without sauces. There are few attempts at nouvelle cuisine, but portions are smaller and desserts lighter than they used to be. Prunes are a favorite. Each of the 64 rooms are furnished differently, but simply, in light colors.

Upholstery and wallpaper are tastefully understated prints, furnishings are basic. There is one television In the card room. Said Kimball, whose family has run Inns for generations: "Even though we do change, we appear to be slow to change on purpose. We want people to keep thinking it's the same." One concession to change: the addition of expensive champagnes. Including a $96 Dom Per-Ignon and Moet et Chardon, and a $56 Talttinger.

"Texans and certain people want the best," said Guy Toole, purchasing agent. The inn's success it almost booked solid for July and August. said Branson, who owns the Virgin Group, a conglomerate of more than 100 recording and entertain ment companies. "But we'd be The Asticou is venerated by Its clients because It is the last of the grand inns that once proliferated on Mount Desert Island, said assistant manager Rich Robinson. Most of the Inns vanished In the 1950s and 1960s when the public considered them boring and ramshackle, and sought modern resorts.

The Asticou hung on through those years, and regained Its popularity In the mid-1970s, he said. Now, guests are enchanted by the three-person Otis elevator, circa 1925, that is throttle-driven by a bellman. They also enjoy the old-fashioned switchboard with the plug-in connections, even though it requires waiting for the operator to place a call. "People come here to relax In a refined, genteel way," said Robinson. "They want to try out the old traditions." Men are required to wear a coat and tie in the dining rdbm.

Singer very happy to land anywhere in Europe or Africa where there Is dry land. Cache of fireworks discovered in and other explosives Friday night In 10 storage areas in a building on South Policy Street, police said. front deskman, John MacPhail, was wearing a T-shirt. "Not too cool." said MacPhail. "Another opening," said Kimball.

And anothe show, he migty have added. Associated Press SALEM. N.H. State police said yesterday they have discovered a major cache of Illegal fireworks. with a search warrant found 1.750 cases bf fireworks The explosives were taken to a secure area after Salem's fire chief determined they were dangerous No arrests were reported..