Questions and complaints from citizens have prompted the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen to review the town’s Dog Control and Public Vending ordinances.
Concerns about dog control focus on the issue of waste, Damariscotta Town Manager Greg Zinser said at a May 18 meeting of the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen.
Most towns with dog control ordinances address the issue within their ordinances, Zinser said. Damariscotta’s 1999 ordinance, however, is silent on the matter.
The selectmen gave unanimous informal agreement for town staff to research potential amendments to the ordinance.
Zinser said town staff is “fielding a lot of questions and complaints about what’s going on in town” relative to street vendors.
Zinser called Damariscotta’s 26-year-old ordinance “pretty poor” and said the town needs to develop “up-to-date” rules.
The existing ordinance charges a $50 application fee and requires a public process similar to that necessary to obtain a liquor license.
Chairman Dick McLean said he wants to get the ordinance “into a place where it’s safe and equitable for everybody.”
The selectmen agreed to present Zinser with lists of vending-related issues at their next meeting.
The commentary, “Why Newcastle and Damariscotta plan to forge a new relationship at this year’s town meetings,” by Zinser and Newcastle Town Administrator Ron Grenier, addresses the towns’ proposal for joint public works operations.
Pinkham specifically objected to Grenier and Zinser’s assertion that “good oversight” will help the towns “prevent wasteful costs from shoddy work.”
Pinkham challenged Zinser to name examples of “shoddy work” by contractors.
Zinser said Damariscotta has had issues with culvert replacement and pavement work, including projects on Church and High streets.
Pinkham said Zinser should ask the selectmen for permission before releasing “information from the town.”
“I don’t think that’s part of your job,” Pinkham told Zinser. “I think it was wrong.”
In other business, the selectmen unanimously approved the closure of Water Street from Main Street to Municipal Parking Lot Lane during Pirate Rendezvous on Sat., June 11.
The selectmen met in executive session in Zinser’s office to discuss “a personnel matter.” Zinser and the selectmen did not comment or take action following the private session.
As of press time, Damariscotta Police Chief Steve Drake has been on paid administrative leave for seven weeks.
