Damariscotta voters rejected the proposed Damariscotta SmartCode, a controversial amendment to the town’s land use ordinance, in a June 14 referendum.
The SmartCode and an accompanying amendment to the town’s comprehensive plan failed by about 70/30 margins, 301-127 and 298-125, respectively.
Damariscotta Planning and Advisory Committee (DPAC) Chairwoman Robin Mayer said she’s already asked for a joint meeting with the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen to determine DPAC’s next step relative to the code.
DPAC, a volunteer committee, played a major role in the code development process, hosting dozens of public workshops and distributing educational materials.
“I’m disappointed,” Mayer said. She said she doesn’t know what the “lopsided” results reflect – opposition to or misunderstanding of the proposed SmartCode – and determining the motivation of voters will help DPAC determine “how to move forward.”
SmartCode or no SmartCode, “We also have other projects underway,” Mayer said. “DPAC will continue to be the stewards of the public process in the town and make sure Damariscotta stays a great place to live and work.”
In other election results, incumbents Dick McLean and Vicki Pinkham won reelection to the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen in a race with only six votes separating the three candidates’ vote totals. Vicki Pinkham (235 votes) and McLean (232) narrowly defeated challenger Josh Pinkham (229).
In unopposed races, Sarah “Sally” Farrell (344 votes) and John Gallagher (23 write-in votes) won reelection to the Great Salt Bay School Committee and the Great Salt Bay Sanitary District, respectively.
The voters validated the Great Salt Bay Community School and secondary education budgets by comfortable margins of 263-105 and 267-99.
The business portion of Damariscotta Annual Town Meeting opens at the Lincoln Theater at 2 Theater St. at 6:30 p.m. Wed., June 15. The Board of Selectmen will hold a brief board meeting at the theater, beginning at 6 p.m.
