MONMOUTH -- Selectmen voted unanimously Wednesday to exempt the height limit for structures so Ben Lund can build a 391/2-foot windmill on his property.

A town ordinance limits structures to 35 feet.

"They don't consider it to be a structure," Town Manager Kurt Lunt said Thursday. "Our firefighters' capability isn't affected. And if it fell over, it would be within his own property."

Lund couldn't be reached for comment.

Lunt said the Planning Board asked selectmen to make a decision on the height limit.

He said Lund, who works at L.L. Bean, will generate electricity with the windmill, which will be built on Route 132 at the south end of town near Cochnewagon Lake.

"It's something we're going to have more of as people try to get energy-efficient," he said. "What we'll do in the future is come up with an ordinance that specifically targets these windmills. Others coming in the future could be taller."

Selectmen on Wednesday also approved an application for a state Community Development Block Grant to hire an architect to create a facilities plan for The Theater at Monmouth.

The theater is applying for the grant in partnership with the town.

"As we approach our 40th anniversary in 2009, it's important for us to look ahead to the longer term. The need to plan for improvement to our facilities is an important step in that planning," said Monmouth Theater Producing Director David Greenham.

Selectmen also replied to a request from the Maine Department of Transportation project priorities for 2010-11.

Selectmen told the state they would like to see Route 132 improved, particularly from the corner by the Town Office to U.S. Route 202.

"They also approved a timber-management plan for the Cobbossee boat launch site," Lunt said. "The town owns 60 acres out on the lake."

Selectmen hope to pay for the project with the help of a state program called Project Canopy. They will apply for a $1,600 grant to pay for the timber-management plan and $4,000 to plant trees along town streets.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com