Kennebunk Select Board forwards bicycle-fee extension, cost-recovery ordinance to town meeting; approves beach parking changes

The Kennebunk Select Board on April 14 voted to forward two ordinance measures to the town’s Annual Meeting and approved changes to local beach-parking rules.

In a public hearing the board sent a proposed zoning amendment extending the Bicycle Facility Improvements Impact Fee collection period five years — to July 1, 2031 — or until the town has collected $1.3 million (adjusted for construction-cost inflation), whichever comes first. The board also voted to recommend acceptance of that article before it goes to the Annual Town Meeting. The motion to send the article to the meeting was made by Lisa Pratt and seconded by William Ward; the roll-call votes were recorded as 6 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent (Leslie Trentalange).

The board also voted to send a new Cost Recovery Ordinance to the Annual Town Meeting and to recommend acceptance. The ordinance would allow the town to recover costs for emergency and non‑emergency fire and emergency medical services — including lift assists at nursing homes — while retaining an undue‑hardship application process. The motions were made by Lisa Pratt and seconded by William Ward; both roll-call votes were 6 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent.

Separately, the board approved amendments to Town Ordinance Section 2‑5 governing beach parking permits. Key changes include moving from a tax-bill model to a vehicle-registration model, changing the permit season to May 15–Sept. 15 (to include Memorial Day), eliminating physical stickers in favor of license-plate–linked permits, and enabling online purchases. The Finance Director said resident verifications "would be handled during normal business hours." The board approved the ordinance changes on a 5–1 roll-call vote (Karen Plattes opposed; Leslie Trentalange absent). The town plans a summer 2027 rollout of the new system.

The board also voted to support an application from the Spaulding Center for Active Living to register beano/bingo games (Mondays from June 15 to Sept. 14, 2026; 14 dates) so the organization can seek a state license from the Maine Gambling Control Unit (MRSA, Title 17, Chapter 13‑A). The motion to support the registration was moved by Lisa Pratt, seconded by Karen Plattes and passed by roll call, 6–0 (1 absent).

Chair Miriam Whitehouse opened the meeting by noting "new information regarding the busing matter" and removed Article 9.b from the agenda to allow more time for review; members of the public who had come for the bus discussion were invited to speak during public comment. The board closed the first public hearing on the draft Annual Town Meeting warrant and noted a second hearing is scheduled for May 26; the Annual Town Meeting is set for June 9, 2026.

Votes at a glance: • Bicycle Facility Improvements Impact Fee — Motion to send to Annual Town Meeting: Moved Lisa Pratt; second William Ward; vote: 6–0 (1 absent). Board recommendation to accept: Moved Lisa Pratt; second Karen Plattes; vote: 6–0 (1 absent). • Proposed Cost Recovery Ordinance — Motion to send to Annual Town Meeting: Moved Lisa Pratt; second William Ward; vote: 6–0 (1 absent). Board recommendation to accept: Moved Lisa Pratt; second William Ward; vote: 6–0 (1 absent). • Beach Parking Permit amendments (Ordinance Sec. 2‑5) — Motion to approve as presented: Moved Lisa Pratt; second William Ward; vote: 5–1 (Plattes opposed; Trentalange absent). • Spaulding Center beano/bingo registration support — Motion to support: Moved Lisa Pratt; second Karen Plattes; vote: 6–0 (1 absent).

The meeting minutes record these votes and the board’s actions; staff will process the warranted items ahead of the scheduled Town Meeting and the board will hold the second warrant public hearing on May 26.