The Bremen Board of Selectmen will convene a public hearing and special town meeting to allow voters to decide whether to enact a six-month ban on retail marijuana sales and cultivation.
The public hearing and special town meeting are slated to occur prior to a regularly scheduled selectmen’s meeting on Thursday, Dec. 15. The hearing will begin at 4:30 p.m.
The selectmen voted unanimously to hold the special town meeting after a Nov. 30 discussion about the merits of implementing a moratorium.
Though he expressed support for public discussion of the matter, Selectman Boe Marsh voiced reservations about pursuing a moratorium, questioning the board’s right to do so following the success of Question 1, the legalization of recreational marijuana for adults, on Election Day.
Selectman Wendy Pieh said she was in favor of holding the meeting to give residents a chance to weigh in.
“I think it’s worth having a discussion to see what the town wants to do with this,” Pieh said.
Selectman Hank Nevins said he was not opposed to people selling marijuana, but wanted to ensure it is properly regulated in town.
He also said he was concerned retail operations could disturb neighbors of properties engaged in a retail marijuana operation, especially if the business was conducted at late hours.
Other business
Also during the Dec. 15 meeting, the selectmen will receive bids for the Heath Road bridge project. The project will replace the existing structure over Smelt Brook.
According to Nevins, the town has received approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to proceed with the project.
He said the town is requesting bids from around 10 contractors.
The Bremen Conservation Commission will hold an informational meeting about a possible partnership with the Maine Island Trail Association to steward Clam Island at 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 8.
Association Program Director Brian Marcaurelle will be on hand for the meeting.
The selectmen agreed to proceed with tree-trimming on Medomak Road. Nevins said the work would take place on the north side of the road and will cost roughly $8,000-$10,000.
He said work on the road hasn’t been done in more than 20 years and the trees need to be cut back.
Marsh agreed the area looks like it could use some work.
Nevins said Marston’s Tree Service Inc., of Naples, has been hired for the project. The company has previously done work for Bremen on Waldoboro Road.
Nevins said a preliminary budget would be prepared for the next selectmen’s meeting and budget committee meetings would commence in January.
