D-F residents to vote on shoreland zoning amendments

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The precise wording is still being finalized, but when Dover-Foxcroft residents head to the polls in June they will be voting on an amended shoreland zoning ordinance after the selectmen passed a motion to put the final version of the document on the ballot during a Feb. 11 meeting.

“(Code Enforcement Officer Connie Sands) has been updating me on her updates to get our shoreland zoning up to state requirements,” Town Manager Jack Clukey said. He said the planning board reviewed the amendments the week before and the plan is to put the revised ordinance up for a vote in four months.

“The formatting reads a little better than what we had, it’s based on model shoreland zoning,” Sands said.

A summary of the ordinance says the wording has been reformatted for ease of reading. Changes include an allowance for small sheds within setbacks if there are no other alternatives, a section allows for retaining walls within the setback, and there is clarification of how to proceed with the board of appeals. Decisions on structures on, over, or above bodies of water would be left to the Department of Environment Protection (DEP).

“The very final version that goes to the voters may change a little bit based on feedback from the DEP,” Clukey said.

He said the land use ordinance committee is looking to have a public hearing on the document in April, and the same session could also allow for public feedback on the shoreland zoning ordinance well in advance of June.

Selectperson Jane Conroy wondered if a summary of the shoreland zoning amendments could be made available for voters on the day of the referendum, as she said few would read the 50-plus pages at that time. Sands said she could make a summary available.

In other business, Clukey said the solid waste/promotion and development committee met the week before. “That was a committee meeting to go over budgets that fall under that committee,” he said as the 2019-20 municipal spending plan is being developed.

“The first meeting of the budget advisory committee will be Wednesday, the 27th,” Clukey said. He said at this organizational session the group will set its meeting schedule, such as Wednesdays for the ensuing month.

Last year the budget advisory committee discussed various components of the municipal spending plan over three weeks before a joint meeting with the selectmen. The next week featured a public hearing on the proposed budget.

On a Saturday in late April the annual town meeting is held at the Morton Avenue Gym. Items approved at town meeting then go to a referendum validation in June, which includes votes for various municipal positions and the RSU 68 school budget. In 2019 the referendum will include the land use and shoreland zoning ordinances.

In his report, Clukey discussed several items including saying The Commons at Central Hall needed to be closed for a day a week and a half prior due to a propane leak.

“We had to clear the building, we couldn’t have programs there,” he said. The town manager said a valve was hit while the parking lot behind The Commons was being plowed, and temporary tanks have been set up until the main tank is repaired.

“It could have been worse than clearing the building for one day,” Clukey said.
He said Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) Executive Director Chris Winstead has submitted a letter of intent on the town’s behalf to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant in support of Spruce Mill Farms.

“It is really for the same type of thing they tried for several years ago but were unsuccessful,” Clukey said. Two years ago an application sought up to $50,000 in CDBG monies for equipment to expand operations, such as a new oven to bake 40-60 loaves of bread at a time rather than a half dozen.

“It’s a letter of intent to apply, it really gives the state a chance to look at letters of intent and weed out what doesn’t apply,” Clukey said.

“We have been a frequent participant in Project Canopy,” he said about another state grant program providing funding recipients with monies to plant trees and conduct arbor-related services. Clukey said Project Canopy grant recipients are required to sit out the next funding cycle, but the community will be able to apply again in 2019.

The town manager said in April he will meet with Winstead and the tree committee will convene to brainstorm ideas that can be used for the grant application.

The selectmen have been asked to pick a citizen, project, or group to receive the 2019 Dover-Foxcroft Spirit of American Foundation Tribute for outstanding community service. The board is asking for the public’s assistance in developing a list of potential nominees, and suggestions and explanations can be sent to Clukey at jclukey@dover-foxcroft.org by the end of April.