Pair of ordinances placed on November D-F ballot

By Stuart Hedstrom 
Staff Writer

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — On Tuesday, Nov. 4, voters across the state will be deciding on who will be occupying the Blaine House as governor for the next four years. With turnout expected to be high for the gubernatorial election, Dover-Foxcroft officials have decided to place two ordinances on the ballot for citizens to consider, with one concerning fireworks and the other traffic incidents.

    “At our last meeting we talked about the possibility of the town looking at fireworks and giving voters the option to go back to what we had before,” Town Manager Jack Clukey said during an Aug. 18 selectmen’s meeting. “The restrictions would basically put us back to what it was before 2010,” he added, as before changes were made at the state level the sale and use of consumer fireworks were prohibited.
    Sparklers and bottle rockets would still be permitted within the town limits of Dover-Foxcroft — until 10 p.m. — under the proposed ordinance, and if the measure is turned down then the law enacted four years ago would remain in effect.
    “We didn’t put anything in that would specify certain days that they are allowed,” Clukey said, as the selectmen had wondered if fireworks exceptions could be granted on holidays such as July 4th. Clukey said the town attorney had concerns about enforcement issues arising from exemptions on some days.
    “I personally would want it to say we allow on the Fourth of July,” Select Chair Elwood Edgerly said.
    “I would say the Fourth of July you have the family out to camp and if you want to shoot off fireworks you have got one day to do it,” Selectman Scott Taylor added.
    Police Chief Dennis Dyer said the origins of the proposed ordinance came from an incident in which a property owner was continually shooting off fireworks, disturbing a neighbor until the tension eventually led to an assault. Dyer said the continual noise also bothers pet owners, such as those with hunting dogs whose ability to be trained is hindered or made impossible.
    “It boils down to respect your neighbors,” Dyer said, with many of those setting off fireworks not doing so.
    The board voted to move the ordinance, as written, to the November ballot. “Ordinances are never set in stone,” Clukey said, as amendments could be made after Nov. 4 if the measure is approved.
    The second proposed ordinance approved for the November ballot would enable the town to charge for costs incurred during a response to traffic incidents. “This is something (Fire Chief Joe Guyotte) brought to my attention that’s done in at least one other town,” Clukey said.
    He explained the ordinance would allow town officials to bill for cost, including personnel, equipment and supplies, when responding to traffic incidents.
    The potential charges would only be applied to non-residents, non-property owners and those who do not work in Dover-Foxcroft. Property damage costs would still apply to everyone.
    Guyotte said earlier in the summer a truck knocked out a telephone pole on West Main Street, and nine firefighters were tied up for seven hours redirecting traffic. Under the ordinance the town would be able to charge for the time these firemen spent on the scene.
    “This would be charged to their insurance carrier and for the insurance carrier this is part of their normal business,” Selectman Steve Grammont said, saying the town could charge from $100 to $500 or $600. “These are real costs we can back up, they are not fictitious.”
    “The funds would be used to replace equipment and/or other needs of the fire department,” Selectman Jane Conroy said.
     “It does provide for an appeal process,” Selectman W. Ernie Thomas said. “There’s room for negotiating, I think.”
    In other business, the board approved a contract with Gwen Hilton as the consultant for the comprehensive plan. The deal is for $12,000, which is part of the current fiscal year’s budget, from Sept. 1 through July 1, 2015.
    “The selection committee for the consultant met twice over the last two weeks,” Clukey said, as this group considered two candidates. “They were very, very impressed with her resume, the projects she has worked on and her experience.”
    Clukey said the process has begun to fill a comprehensive planning committee and these positions will be advertised in the near future. He said the committee should be appointed at the Sept. 8 meeting “and the consultant would like to meet with this committee before September is over.”
    The selectmen accepted a 1.3-acre parcel on the corner of the Greeley’s Landing and Cotton Brook roads as a gift from summer resident John Wiles of Connecticut.
    Wiles has asked the town to agree to not sell or develop the property and maintain its use as a parking lot and/or for other recreational uses.
    He also asked that some vegetation be removed to improve the view of Sebec Lake and he be allowed to place a family monument on the lot.
    The board also approved the nomination of Chris Maas for the county budget committee, as this group will start its work soon.
    Maas has also been involved in the Central Hall project. A presentation on this endeavor and its connection to other programs, such as Healthy Communities and Thriving in Place, will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 8 a.m. in the Community Room at the Morton Avenue Municipal Building.