Waterville, Sidney officials and residents quiz Amazon distribution center developers

Developers from Camber Development and VHB, representing Amazon, held a public information session in Waterville, Maine, to discuss a proposed "last-mile" distribution center intended to serve the region. The facility, which would be Maine's largest at 159,000 square feet, aims to improve delivery times and create 150-200 full- and part-time jobs. The site straddles Waterville and Sidney, with the main building in Waterville and parking/stormwater management in Sidney. Residents and city officials expressed various concerns during the meeting. Waterville City Councilor Scott Beale questioned the impact on existing jobs at USPS, UPS, and Walmart, particularly unionized positions, and asked how Amazon's jobs would compare. City Councilor Rebecca Greene requested a breakdown of full-time versus part-time positions, which developers could not provide. Longtime Waterville resident Sam Armington protested the project, holding a sign criticizing Amazon's economic impact, while other attendees repeatedly asked to speak directly with an Amazon representative. Environmental impacts were addressed, with Brandon Nelson of Camber Development noting the project's effect on approximately 2.4 acres of wetlands, requiring mitigation efforts beyond state thresholds. VHB representatives confirmed the need to extend public water and power to the site on Trafton Road and potentially natural gas via Summit Natural Gas. Developers clarified that the land is already zoned for industrial use and emphasized the location's desirability due to highway proximity, also stating Amazon would not seek tax abatements. They also explicitly stated the facility is not a data center. The public information session was a preliminary step in the application process, which requires filing with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) within weeks, followed by municipal permitting and building permits. Sean Hale of VHB estimated a late fall groundbreaking if approvals are secured. Residents will have further opportunities to weigh in through public access to the application at Waterville City Hall and Sidney Town Office, and by requesting to attend Department of Transportation meetings for the required traffic movement permit. Tim Stonesifer is organizing a "nonpartisan coalition of neighbors" seeking "smart growth" for the project.