[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6280525,"mediaKeyId","2615061-458a1a585d8e51034ca2c2426052ed90","parentId",2615061,"title","Votes at a glance: March 11 South Berwick council actions on licenses, funds and hearings","audioSeconds",3962,"startMs",641000,"endMs",4603000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615061-458a1a585d8e51034ca2c2426052ed90&start=641&end=4603","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615061-458a1a585d8e51034ca2c2426052ed90/thumbnail_641000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6280525/South-Berwick/York-County/Maine/Votes-at-a-glance-March-11-South-Berwick-council-actions-on-licenses-funds-and-hearings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280525-94c4d2c363bae9108704ca507a23c3ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571402&Signature=nKy2eh1713NJ-RVfqJiZSNtlAClRrl4HSpVQ2jhlpEAl7FsRD~d2ddSSdrDItHwpNAc-n6Vmx~E62wLEj8~KIM6l~51DFNGc9q-SML45VbZq8kLOAq-ZKKMgo-XRHCEuwHn3cUNWNH3yTBoY-Dc~z4iJEZPAX4nJNmXi8YR~8ALYw3Kz1~GiOsmN6ABv160dx2JL57KoszUy-EUHKzsZz35nwz15Enrr4htyrDkKLp86DOn598x24NyX1clnKgegfbL9DtaMNieB0aIFddSj4sVeDCX6JTK6iwrYD~dINr05pAkkHeo1tTbw~xth7-lgh2crlS6NVcsbZPDkn1XYDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-12T13:11:28Z","article","South Berwick — The Town Council recorded the following formal votes and meeting actions on March 11.

Key votes and outcomes

- Cannabis licenses
- Hidden Greens (Converse Industries), 438 Lower Main Street — license approved with hours amended to 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; vote recorded 4–0 (approved).
- Grow Cannabis, 297 Main Street — decision tabled to March 25 for legal review of a 1,000-foot school setback and ownership questions; vote to table 4–0 (tabled).
- Cody (on-site cultivation), 556 Emrys Bridge Road — cultivation license approved 4–0 (approved).
- High Striker Farm (Ryan Reed), 104 Pond Road — renewal tabled to March 25 for additional odor-mitigation review; vote to table 4–0 (tabled).
- 5 99 LLC (delivery-only / Sugar Shack), 599 Emrys Bridge Road — delivery license approved 4–0 (approved).

- Elizabeth Harmon Fund / Bond-fund awards (selected votes)
- Motion to allow the council to exceed the usual 70% distribution of fund earnings for 2025 — approved 4–0.
- AED for Marshall Youth Softball, $1,836.99 — approved 4–0.
- Marshall Softball concession stand (reduced award), $10,000 — approved 3–0 with one abstention (approved at reduced amount).
- Marshall Little League scoreboard, $10,000 — approved 3–0 (one absence recorded during the vote).
- South Park Recreation fuel tank, $360 — approved 4–0.
- Community center chairs, $1,500 — motion failed (1–3).
- Adirondack chairs downtown, $4,800 — motion failed (1–3).
- Skating-rink upgrade, $22,500 — approved 4–0.

- Administrative and other actions
- Adoption of bond-fund minutes from 03/12/2024 — approved 4–0.
- Liquor license renewal for Secundo LLC — approved 4–0.
- Authorization to permit recreational alewives (blueback herring) harvest consistent with state limits (maximum 25 fish per person per day; commercial harvest prohibited) — approved (vote recorded 4–0).
- Set public hearing for the FY26 budget for April 8, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. — approved 4–0.
- Directed the town manager to enter negotiations on a TIF credit-enhancement agreement with PKS Woodworks LLC (map/lot reference provided) — approved 4–0.
- Received and accepted the resignation of a planning-board alternate and scheduled an interview for a potential replacement (motion approved 4–0).
- Treasurer’s warrant ($950,988.76 dated 03/06/2025) — approved for signature (4–0).

Why it matters: The votes finalize spending from a named recreational endowment, determine near-term decisions on cannabis licensing, schedule the public budget hearing and direct staff to negotiate economic-development agreements.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03 11 25 Town Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal votes taken by the South Berwick Town Council on March 11, including license approvals, bond-fund awards and scheduling of the FY26 budget hearing.","taxTitle","South Berwick, York County, Maine","taxId",73931,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6280529,"Council reviews FY26 budget options, considers bringing ambulance and cross-trained firefighters in-house",257,6895000,7152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615061-458a1a585d8e51034ca2c2426052ed90&start=6895&end=7152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615061-458a1a585d8e51034ca2c2426052ed90/thumbnail_6895000.jpg","/articles/6280529/South-Berwick/York-County/Maine/Council-reviews-FY26-budget-options-considers-bringing-ambulance-and-cross-trained-firefighters-in-house","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280529-b73c848b8fcdd5dbebbf0023296ed14c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571402&Signature=EZKopJ~TktJ2rgPOSV8o2nDbdunj49EFvadkbKlwoe7GbZwITL2opdhwaHF82v2o5OqXDDqE8q6ARWPIzB5kG17TMCrdzOA7yYCq93-MeR8mZom8a49rQ7xvUzYrNtcmDPyzYqvKqaVvTY~qRC6se0fYEg6JPyWoffrsHG2ThMz5HmRLgQxvGXfnvVwPkgGb8K1ZVtqnDiJrkrLF44KHuMknNcbzgG4NPi6R4vkpfR447J6Eb5FqM~p-glXSSjIrnwMScFChZX7iTknk8Ew1FIWH8riTiMXyF1rsZ0LWMQBG~H1qHOHF1Dv69iqcBTzDcYV4yVWBx7lYiuQzmmvIAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Berwick — Town leaders discussed proposed changes to the fiscal year 2026 municipal budget, including a plan to establish a town-run emergency medical services and expanded fire staffing to address rising private-ambulance costs and volunteer staffing concerns.

Manager and department heads presented budget options that assume normal operations would result in a 3.9–4.9% municipal budget increase depending on whether the town draws $900,000 or $1,000,000 from the undesignated fund balance. The council discussed a proposal to create an in-house fire/EMS operation beginning in July 2026; startup activity would begin earlier with recruitment and training in May 2026.

Officials said the town’s contract with a private ambulance provider (York Ambulance) has risen to about $300,000 annually, up from roughly $100,000 in prior years; that increase and additional state-level proposals affecting private ambulance providers were cited as drivers for evaluating an in-house option. The proposed fire/EMS expansion would increase the town’s FY26 fire/EMS line from approximately $948,000 to roughly $1,260,000 for operating costs; start-up capital (vehicle, equipment, onboarding) would be recommended to come from designated funds.

Councilors also reviewed other FY26 items the manager proposed: partially funding a town-hall bond payment from the tax-increment financing (TIF) district (about half of the initial payment), temporary reductions in some CIP set-asides for one year, and additions such as an environmental behavioral health liaison position assigned within the police department and a 24-hour recreation staff position.

Why it matters: Any decision to start a municipal ambulance and expand paid fire/EMS staffing will change the town’s operating budget and staffing model. The move would shift some emergency-service costs from a private contractor to an in-house payroll and capital program, with associated start-up expense and recurring personnel costs.

What’s next: The council scheduled further budget workshops and will hold a public hearing on the final FY26 budget on April 8. Managers will return with refined figures and staffing plans; the council has not made a final decision to proceed with an in-house service but gave direction to continue planning.

","The council reviewed the FY26 municipal budget and discussed a plan to start town-operated EMS and increase fire staffing; staff recommended funding start-up costs from designated funds and projected higher recurring operating expenses.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6280534,"Code officer lays out 2021 building-code update, town workshop set for March 19",3082,3300000,6382000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615061-458a1a585d8e51034ca2c2426052ed90&start=3300&end=6382","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615061-458a1a585d8e51034ca2c2426052ed90/thumbnail_3300000.jpg","/articles/6280534/South-Berwick/York-County/Maine/Code-officer-lays-out-2021-building-code-update-town-workshop-set-for-March-19","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280534-241b5866a3c3df6e3564fa74d60e0db4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571402&Signature=WrBjdreGbc-jpj954BSHDpeHgeNu59BYsvMsVQCniJdav16wQw1JVVm5TRekqFf0gyc67V5VUPdk230Za5NqguGYgoNXe-zqunb0LnlECbtojTfnh2LM5HA-LP-bvaMgSKEeE7ET8Ahunv8rVSBzGYlb~mKd82-athu2bsK5lo6DUVwYFfZYn2ox0sdWz9~GyY-8yCgJqcb2cr483X4zYli~mG8c2sjmx3qA8Pjxf44mTVsmhiwLauQicygyE7bZ8vtJAjzETjBSfzplp2HSSdXxTi0rMX3KruKEtweLIpUoGuPbkHGOYH4api9BHo46oHChOyJiwGhgCyxIUoqNzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Berwick — The town’s code enforcement officer briefed the council on a state-led switch to the 2021 model building codes, explained which new code books the town will adopt and scheduled a public workshop to explain the changes to contractors and residents.

Jenny told the council she received a notice that Maine’s state building official (Greg Gilbert) had initiated an update to the state’s adopted codes; South Berwick will transition to the 2021 code set beginning April 7, 2025 for permits issued after that date. She said the change includes adoption of multiple supporting codes (for green construction and existing buildings) and will bring higher energy and insulation standards, sprinkler requirements for taller buildings, and new mechanical and ventilation rules.

Jenny summarized practical effects: increased permit documentation, more inspections per project (she cited examples rising from roughly eight inspections for a house to as many as 14–16 in some cases), blower-door and mechanical performance reporting, and higher R-values for walls and ceilings compared with the 2015 code. She also noted the town will host a deep-dive presentation for contractors and the public at Town Hall on March 19 at 10 a.m. and that code-office books will be available for in-office review.

She ran a local cost estimate for a typical 1,600-square-foot house and found the incremental building-cost delta between 2015 and 2021 codes varied across contractors, roughly $0 up to about $23,000 in her sample calls — an estimate she described as preliminary and dependent on contractor practices and material choices.

Why it matters: The updated code affects construction costs, permit timelines and inspection workload. Contractors, homeowners planning additions, and anyone applying for permits should prepare for new documentation and potential incremental costs.

What’s next: The code office will accept questions and the March 19 workshop is intended to help local builders and residents understand new requirements. Jenny said staff will mark building-permit paperwork to show which code applies for applications bridging the transition date.

","Code enforcement staff briefed the council on the state-driven update from 2015 to 2021 building codes, the implications for permits and inspections, and scheduled a public workshop for March 19.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6280539,"South Berwick awards recreation grants from Elizabeth Harmon Fund, approves skating rink upgrade",2038,608000,2646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615061-458a1a585d8e51034ca2c2426052ed90&start=608&end=2646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615061-458a1a585d8e51034ca2c2426052ed90/thumbnail_608000.jpg","/articles/6280539/South-Berwick/York-County/Maine/South-Berwick-awards-recreation-grants-from-Elizabeth-Harmon-Fund-approves-skating-rink-upgrade","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280539-fbc39cc4248917910cb35ecd31e108f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571402&Signature=dGWL6L79VhWZkq9aHq8u3oGsdAsjfer4VIOiOUIPRCI1L-FXDoJF5xbEYytLyXehSnRChj5AW3fqxxlcMadREtLVdDaLENKn6RMg2Qn~oH3k-sAPex6o37ggnO5Bde97AxGs7hOBAQY7mrPTIDo45OIwsNw6ibaj3pW5xUD3LzGUrgXit4ddfWoY6ui8upqXcVp6WmVLU0GDkA4l9m1xgGYK2ELBW~STRrrb0Os85svd0pgzUWJ2fTQ7oRW4cwSqFATOjqgAVG9e2d3I7Fs9HEy1c0NtI8-AsOwBXbZ6sM8eeSOi3Z~UmDjuAjPNzerEYuzWZu6ssNNMa9rFCQvqlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Berwick — The Town Council agreed to exceed the customary 70% annual distribution from the Elizabeth Harmon Fund and approved several recreation-related awards for 2025, including $22,500 toward an upgraded skating rink.

Town staff reported the fund’s earnings for the last calendar year were $8,634; the standard distributable amount (70%) is $6,044. The council noted a total fund balance near $390,000 and a requirement in the fund terms to keep at least $100,000 principal; after discussion the council unanimously voted to allow a larger-than-typical distribution for 2025.

Awards the council approved included:

- $1,836.99 to Marshall Youth Softball (AED for games and practices) — approved 4–0.
- $10,000 to Marshall (Marshalls) softball (partial contribution toward concession stand repairs) — approved 3–0 with one abstention; an initial motion to award $17,000 failed after an abstention left the motion without the required affirmative votes.
- $10,000 to Marshall (scoreboard) — approved 3–0 (one council member absent for that vote).
- $360 to South Park Recreation (replacement fuel tank) — approved 4–0.
- $22,500 to South River Recreation Department for a permanent rink upgrade (drains, permanent curb and resurfacing approach intended to reduce liner purchases and make seasonal operation easier) — approved 4–0.

Two other requests failed or did not pass: a $1,500 request for community center chairs and a $4,800 request for Adirondack chairs to place downtown (both votes failed by council majority).

Why it matters: The Elizabeth Harmon Fund was established to support recreational activities with an emphasis on winter recreation. The council’s decision to spend more than the usual distributable amount for 2025 reflects both one-time project needs and the town’s current fund balance.

What’s next: Approved awards will be processed by the town staff; the skating-rink project will proceed with site work and a plan to install drains and permanent curbing so the rink can be flooded and left to freeze when weather permits. The council noted some awards are partial contributions and that grantees must comply with town policies and any follow-up reporting requirements.

","Council voted to exceed the typical 70% distribution from the Elizabeth Harmon Fund and approved grants for youth safety equipment, a scoreboard, and a new permanent skating rink system among other projects.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6280544,"South Berwick council approves three caregiver licenses, tables two pending ordinance and odor checks",5350,66000,5416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615061-458a1a585d8e51034ca2c2426052ed90&start=66&end=5416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615061-458a1a585d8e51034ca2c2426052ed90/thumbnail_66000.jpg","/articles/6280544/South-Berwick/York-County/Maine/South-Berwick-council-approves-three-caregiver-licenses-tables-two-pending-ordinance-and-odor-checks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280544-dc3fa8139436b408ae32291b16407f05/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571402&Signature=NyuQKWircnRmiYPTzYf-gyKfGPit4MJ0VVpA6coLq4R2hHizyM419EHUCSi2k86RrJqoC1qjqKUrb8OU6BTqVAb7b3ZvX8ogVucbWLW8xiBv7hvqBy0-cfrNwBLN9jz28jeeM2n4c7jcsALRclUiLnXEaTvJPOq9Vn80ttJyl~fHhmIYUAgRuSmRkRz2o0~iLI6N1wQpji40G7KMrx7H4IHaIddQx6vGoUEIu6pg6guXe-BsR92-gcPXdX3eK0IZQy1s5wa8C~FMJk6kltVWDFliXnpY06Ehx1uBRVDLbRoxW9lWv7uSYmfKHVQwnpMB9MQXTzYfgaOV1l1XE4v4Bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","South Berwick — The Town Council on March 11 took action on five registered cannabis caregiver license applications, approving three licenses and tabling two for further review.

The council approved a retail caregiver license for Converse Industries doing business as Hidden Greens at 438 Lower Main Street with amended hours of operation set at 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The license vote followed code-enforcement review and a planning-board recommendation; councilors voted in favor on a recorded voice vote. Eric (applicant) said he wanted additional hours but agreed to the amended schedule during the meeting.

Councilors tabled Grow Cannabis’s application for a retail location at 297 Main Street until the council’s March 25 meeting, after staff flagged a potential conflict with the town’s 1,000-foot school setback. Jenny, the town’s code enforcement officer, told the council that planning-board approval does not substitute for council licensure and noted GIS door-to-door measurements put the site well inside the ordinance’s setback. The council voted 4–0 to table the item to allow staff and legal counsel to review the change-of-ownership question raised by the applicant.

The council granted an on-site cultivation license to an applicant listed as Cody at 556 Emrys Bridge Road; code enforcement reported no outstanding health or safety objections and department heads submitted positive letters. The vote to approve that cultivation license was unanimous.

A renewal application for High Striker Farm (104 Pond Road), operated by Ryan Reed, was tabled to March 25 after multiple odor complaints were described in the record. Reed told the council he uses carbon filtration, ozone generators and an odor-masking product (Ona) in a small greenhouse; code enforcement and the police chief had asked the council to require a specific mitigation plan. The council voted 4–0 to table while staff prepares options for conditions or mitigation steps.

The council also approved a caregiver delivery-only license for 599 LLC (doing business as Sugar Shack) at 599 Emrys Bridge Road; department review was favorable and the council voted 4–0 to grant the license.

Why it matters: Licenses affect where cannabis products are sold and grown in town and can trigger neighborhood concerns about hours, odor and setback from sensitive sites such as schools. The council used amendments and tabling where the ordinance or neighborhood impacts required more information.

What’s next: Grow Cannabis and High Striker Farm were both scheduled for reconsideration at the council’s March 25 meeting; the council asked staff to provide legal analysis on change-of-ownership rules and to recommend specific, enforceable odor-mitigation steps when available.

","At a March council meeting, South Berwick approved three registered caregiver licenses, including a downtown retail license with restricted hours, and tabled two others over a school-setback dispute and odor-mitigation concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: March 11 South Berwick council actions on licenses, funds and hearings

Council reviews FY26 budget options, considers bringing ambulance and cross-trained firefighters in-house

Code officer lays out 2021 building-code update, town workshop set for March 19

South Berwick awards recreation grants from Elizabeth Harmon Fund, approves skating rink upgrade

South Berwick council approves three caregiver licenses, tables two pending ordinance and odor checks