LIVERMORE FALLS — The Planning Board on Monday night OK’d changes to the timber harvesting section of the shoreland zoning ordinance and agreed to move ahead with a draft property management ordinance.
They also continued work on updating the town’s 13-year-old comprehensive plan.
Residents will likely vote on the changes at the June town meeting.
Draft documents will be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen for its approval and public hearings will be held on all three proposed changes.
Code Enforcement Officer James Butler said the primary change to the timber harvesting section of the shoreland zoning ordinance calls for direct enforcement by the Maine Forest Service. Currently, application for such work goes directly to Butler, who forwards it to the forest service for action.
The two-page proposed property management ordinance designed for the village area, “intends not to fine people but to gain voluntary compliance,” Butler said.
A much more detailed property management ordinance was overwhelmingly defeated at the polls last year.
The current effort seeks to restrict blighted buildings and property so that the community’s safety and appearance may be preserved.
Such things as accumulations of trash, junk or other materials that could pose a fire hazard or provide a home for vermin or insects is banned.
Enforcement includes written notification of the violation by the code enforcement officer. The violator would have 30 days to take corrective action.
Fines would be $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second and $500 for the third.
Among the changes or additions to the comprehensive plan is one proposed by Planning Board alternate member Darryl Brown. He said the East Livermore aquifer should be listed because of its potential to draw business, such as a water or soup company.
“It’s a huge asset to the town,” Brown said.
Butler used state data to update town statistics, including population, businesses, housing units and other information.
He said the completed and approved plan will serve the town for about 10 years.
He plans to schedule two Planning Board meetings in March so a final draft may be completed. It would go to selectmen for review. Also, a public workshop session may be scheduled as well as a public hearing prior to the June vote.
A copy of the draft comprehensive plan will be available to the public at the Town Office within the next couple of weeks.
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