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Cushing selectmen cite 2008 policy on site-plan petition, approve routine town business
Summary
At their Feb. 27 meeting the Cushing Board of Selectmen told a resident that a petition to repeal the town's Site Plan Review Ordinance will be presented to voters at the November general election; the board also approved routine measures including setting the 2017 unpaid-tax interest rate at 6% and adopting an Emergency Management Operations Plan.
The Town of Cushing Board of Selectmen told a resident at its Feb. 27 meeting that a petition to repeal the town's Site Plan Review Ordinance will be placed on the November general-election ballot after the board cited an ordinance policy adopted April 14, 2008. The board also approved routine municipal business including setting the 2017 interest rate for unpaid taxes at 6% and accepting an Emergency Management Operations Plan.
Robert Stackpole submitted a written petition and a letter asking that the repeal question "be voted on at the 2017 Town Meeting" and arguing the board had no authority to delay the vote. In his letter, Stackpole wrote that, because a previously scheduled selectmen meeting was canceled and no replacement notice was posted, "With no meeting there could be no quorum for taking any actions and therefore Mr. Staples was acting far beyond his authority." The board discussed the procedural concerns but—after hearing that the board follows a 2008 Ordinance Policy—tabled further action pending legal review.
Resident Randy Martin raised separate concerns about town spending and road repairs, saying a damaged section of Spear Mill Road had gone unrepaired and asking, "Was it the Town?" Chair Alton Grover responded that the town had not been involved in the cleanup of the Johnson property. Martin urged contracting out winter plowing and proposed eliminating the town's clam committee and directing clamming-license revenue to the Georges River Regional Shellfish Management Committee; Selectman Daniel Staples encouraged residents who support those changes to bring them to the annual Town Meeting.
On enforcement matters, the board voted to accept the terms of a letter concerning a violation of the Site Plan Review Ordinance at 3 Davis Point Road after CEO Scott Bickford summarized the terms. Board members discussed the fine amount and payment terms; Alton Grover offered the use of his excavator for the work and said he "didn't care one way or the other" about whether fine proceeds should be returned to him.
Votes at a glance: - Approve and sign warrant: motion by Selectman Daniel Staples, seconded by Heidi Alley; carried 4-0-0. - Approve Jan. 23, 2017 minutes: motion by Dan Staples, seconded by Heidi Alley; carried 4-0-0. - Accept terms regarding Site Plan Review violation at 3 Davis Point Road: motion by Dan Staples, seconded by Martha Marchut; carried 4-0-0. - Set 2017 interest rate for unpaid taxes at 6% (2% for abated taxes): motion by Dan Staples, seconded by Martha Marchut; carried 4-0-0. - Sign Town Meeting warrant: motion by Martha Marchut, seconded by Dan Staples; carried 4-0-0. - Accept Emergency Management Operations Plan: motion by Chair Alton Grover, seconded by Heidi Alley; carried 4-0-0. - Adjourn: motion by Chair Alton Grover, seconded by Dan Staples; carried 4-0-0.
The board tabled review of a paramedic agreement until the original document could be obtained. A Feb. 20, 2017 town letter to Stackpole attached a copy of the April 14, 2008 Ordinance Policy and stated the board will present the petition to voters at the next November general election. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 P.M.
