Public assembly ordinance fees, crowd size discussed by Dexter Planning Board

By Mike Lange Staff Writer
    DEXTER — The major item on the Dexter Planning Board’s Sept. 26 agenda was a proposed public assembly ordinance, a hybrid document which included parts of the town’s existing laws and similar ordinances from Saco and Presque Isle.

    But the board only managed to get through two pages of the document after 90 minutes. They basically agreed that the proposed ordinance was needed to monitor mass gatherings and require the sponsor of such events to have adequate police, sanitary and fire protection. And it will more than likely cost them a substantial fee.
    While the Planning Board can make recommendations on ordinance changes, the Town Council has the final say, so any changes would not become law until later this year.
    Planning Board Chairman Sherman Leighton recapped the reasons for the renewed interest in the ordinance. “We’ve had gatherings in recent years that drew in excess of 400 people, and they’ve caused problems,” Leighton said. “One put a sign outside the event saying it was a ‘family reunion’ to get around the law.”
    The board agreed that the ordinance would apply to any outdoor gathering that draws 250 or more people, with some notable exemptions: events sponsored by the town or school district. “Anything the town puts on doesn’t get out of control,” said board member Geraldine Mountain. “It’s well-organized.”
    The board recommended that applications will have to be submitted 90 days in advance of the event and permit fees would be $500 for gatherings of 250 to 1,000 people; $750 for events drawing 1,001 to 1,500; and $1,000 for festivities attracting more than 1,500.
    Code Enforcement Officer Al Tempesta recommended the 90-day advance notice because if the application is rejected, “It gives them time to appeal. But most people who plan these things know well in advance how many are expected to show up.” The applicant will also have to pay for legal notices in the local newspaper 90, 60 and 30 days before the event.
    Applicants will also have to submit a map of the area where the event is taking place along with plans for water, sanitation, parking, law enforcement and traffic control. “We’ll have a check list made up for all these items,” Tempesta said.
    The board agreed that monitoring the number of people attending a licensed event may be difficult, especially if it’s an assembly that doesn’t require tickets. “No matter what we do, someone will find a way around it,” said planner Dick Gilbert. “But we need to start somewhere.”
    Other items to be discussed at the next Planning Board meeting will more than likely include the standards for issuance of the permit, liability insurance and private landowner’s authority.