NEW GLOUCESTER — An initial review Monday night of the draft warrant for the May 7 annual town meeting left selectmen with questions and calling for more fine-tuning.
In Article 24, an amendment to the New Gloucester Zoning Ordinance revision for community living arrangements, the board seeks more clarification on why the Planning Board needs more time to work on the issue.
Board Chairman Linda Chase said, “ I want to understand what needs to be done,”
The Planning Board at a meeting earlier this month felt the issue needed additional work.
Community Living Arrangements are defined to include a housing facility with persons with disabilities that is approved, authorized, certified or licensed by the state. A community living arrangement may include a group home, foster home or intermediate care facility.
In the Rural Residential District, community living arrangements would be permitted subject to site plan review, if the article is included in the warrant.
A Foreclosure Ordinance on the management of tax-lien properties will be sent the town attorney for comment before the board approves the document. The ordinance establishes procedures for the management, administration and disposition of real property acquired for non-payment of taxes.
The ordinance includes a final redemption period for repurchase of tax lien properties. A Foreclosure Committee will identify all properties based on current use, assessed value, size and location zone as part of a review procedure.
Finally, Selectman Stephen Hathorne asked the board to eliminate three streetlights — at Route 231 and Route 100, Chandler Mill Road and Route 100 and at Long Bennett and Short Bennett Road at Route 100.
“There is a massive amount of red/yellow flashing lights,” he said, “and I don’t see the need for streetlights there.”
The board agreed to send the issue to the Public Safety Committee for review.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
