Planning Board reports ordinance amendments; Selectmen set hearing before March vote

The Starks Planning Board on Feb. 5 reviewed proposed changes to three town ordinances that the Board of Selectmen has approved for public hearing and possible placement on the Annual Town Meeting warrant.

According to the meeting record, the Board of Selectmen reviewed and approved the Planning Board’s proposed ordinance changes and will hold a public hearing at their final February meeting; the amendments are slated for a floor vote at the Annual Town Meeting on March 8, 2025. The Planning Board recorded the scheduling but did not itself vote on the Selectmen’s action during this meeting.

Board members discussed two separate ordinance-related matters in more detail. Planning Board member Ken Lust reported finding a hazardous materials document on the town website that cites state statutes no longer in effect and that does not appear to have been approved by the town’s voters. The board discussed whether to create a stand-alone hazardous materials ordinance or to amend the existing Site Plan Review Ordinance to address storage of hazardous materials in amounts exceeding normal household use; Lust agreed to research the issue and report at the board’s March meeting.

Planning Board member Gwen Hilton said the State has updated its Shoreland Zoning Regulations to permit sanctions for violations, including financial penalties and liens on properties. Hilton agreed to draft language that could be incorporated into the town’s Shoreland Zoning Ordinance to reflect those sanctioning provisions.

Next steps recorded in the minutes: the Board of Selectmen will hold the noted public hearing in late February; Lust will return with research on hazardous materials at the March Planning Board meeting; Hilton will prepare draft shoreland ordinance language for board consideration. The minutes list no formal votes on these follow-ups at the Feb. 5 meeting.