DEAR SUN SPOTS: You have been very helpful before. I would like to know if a person rents an apartment for himself and takes in five roomies, does he need a permit? — No Name, Lewiston
ANSWER: Five roommates? Sun Spots hopes it’s a very big apartment!
To answer your question, Sun Spots turned to Gildace Arsenault, the director of Planning and Code Enforcement for the city of Lewiston. She emailed Sun Spots the following:
“It is common for people to have roommates, and this is in keeping with the Zoning and Land Use Ordinance, provided that one does not use an apartment in a manner contrary to the definition of a dwelling unit. A dwelling unit is defined in the Zoning and Land Use Code as follows:
“‘Dwelling unit means a room or group of rooms, containing at least three hundred (300) square feet of living area, designed and equipped exclusively for use as living quarters for one (1) family, including provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, and eating. The term shall not include hotel or motel rooms or suites, rooming house rooms, or similar accommodations.’
“In keeping with the aforementioned Code, the individual bedrooms could not be subject to locking from the bedroom’s exterior, and/or the refrigerator could not be placed under lock and key, and the residents would need to be ‘one family.’
“Most importantly, the renter needs to obtain approval from his/her landlord to have additional people live in his/her apartment. An additional five people will increase operating cost for the landlord via hot water, electricity, solid waste, wear and tear, etc. The renter also needs to be mindful of crowding (the Property Maintenance Code contains provisions for habitability).
“I suggest that you encourage the writer to contact this office, so that I can make a determination for the individual regarding Code compliance.”
You can reach her via email at garsenault@lewistonmaine.gov or by phone at 513-3000, ext. 3222.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’d like to chime in on the cats vs. foxes issue (July 26). I have a 10-year-old cat who has been outdoor/indoor for several years, though mostly indoor now that she is older. She did enjoy going out for short periods and doing a little hunting and enjoying the outdoors.
However, a week or so ago, a fox walked right through my yard in broad daylight. I stamped my foot, and it ran right into the woods. My neighbor across the street had seen one (perhaps the same one?) a few days earlier.
That was all I needed to decide to keep my cat indoors all the time. She has adjusted quite well — does go to the door a couple of times in the morning and maybe once or twice more during the day, but that’s all. I rest easier knowing that she won’t be a victim of a natural predator. Better safe than sorry. — June Spear, Auburn, junesp@roadrunner.com
ANSWER: Sun Spots is glad your cat is safe and happy. Many cats are very happy inside, and it certainly is safer for them. You can bring the outdoors in a bit for them by adding window seats where they can watch the birds and squirrels. A screened porch is a big hit, but if you don’t have one of those, you can buy portable screenhouses to set out in your yard (http://tinyurl.com/3bpjmcp).
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am researching the village of Pejepscot from 1850 to 1980. I would like to hear from people who lived and worked in Pejepscot, or their descendants. I need stories and photos (I will copy photos). Any information will be appreciated, especially on the people and the social life of Pejepscot. — P. Turcotte, shilough@roadrunner.com, 353-7189, 359 Ridge Road, Lisbon Falls, ME 04252
DEAR SUN SPOTS: My cousin, Lorraine Fournier, would like to donate her organ to either a church or an organization that is in need of one. The organ is a Yamaha Electone, Model E-70, in good working order. Whomever is interested should give her a call at 207-224-7751 for more information. Arrangements would need to be made for pickup. Thank you. — Diane Roberts, dsr_207@roadrunner.com
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