Damariscotta voters will decide whether to enact a proposed fireworks ordinance during the open portion of the annual town meeting June 13.
The proposal tops a relatively low-key list of issues before citizens this year.
The ordinance would prohibit the use of fireworks in an area bordered by Chase Point Lane to the south, the Damariscotta River to the west, Castner Brook to the north and School Street to the east.
The intent of the ordinance is to protect against fire hazard and personal injury in an area with a relatively high density of commercial and residential development, municipal officials said.
Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus said he has fielded calls from a small number of citizens who believe the proposed ordinance “doesn’t go far enough in terms of prohibiting fireworks.”
The town will also ask voters to approve a number of budget-related articles.
The proposed 2012-2013 municipal budget totals $2.59 million, a 0.72 percent increase termed “very modest” by Lutkus.
“I think we can say that we’re holding the line and keeping costs down as best we can and managing with what we have in terms of resources,” Lutkus said. “We’re not asking for very much in terms of a budget.”
The Damariscotta Police Dept. budget generated significant controversy in 2011 and officials differed again this year in the budget preparation process.
Lutkus, in his recommendation to the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen, cut more than $30,000 from the budget requested by Damariscotta Police Chief Chad Andrews.
The majority of the selectmen and the Damariscotta Budget Committee sided with Lutkus and recommended his version of the budget 4-1 and 3-2, respectively.
Andrews’ original request would have allowed him to hire a full-time second-in-command, a sergeant, immediately.
Lutkus wants to leave the position vacant until the town receives the results of a staffing study. The town is currently searching for a consultant to conduct the study, intended to determine, among other things, the “desirability of maintaining the position of sergeant,” according to town documents.
The budget before voters includes funding to hire a sergeant, should the town choose to do so, in January 2013. If the study results arrive before that time and the town decides to fill the position, Lutkus said the town could use savings elsewhere in the budget to do so before the new year.
The position of sergeant has been vacant since Andrews’ promotion to acting chief in April 2011.
Andrews has said he would prefer to hire a sergeant in time for the busy summer season.
Andrews, in a letter to the citizens included in the annual report, reiterated this position, saying he needs “the assistance of a full-time sergeant for the department to function fully.”
In other matters, the voters will decide whether to grant a $500 increase in the selectmen’s annual stipends. The annual stipend for a selectman is currently $1000. Article 17 would increase that amount to $1500.
A Maine Municipal Association salary survey shows the $1500 annual stipend would still be less than the stipends paid in nearby “service center” communities, including Boothbay, at $2100; Camden, $2000; Thomaston, $1934.40; and Wiscasset, at $2400.
“It’s not a lot of money given what they do for the town,” Lutkus said.
Residents will also consider a proposed amendment to the shellfish conservation ordinance.
The changes would bring the ordinance into compliance with recent changes in state law, Lutkus said.
Voters will also elect three Budget Committee members and one cemetery trustee to three-year terms.
The open portion of the annual town meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at Great Salt Bay Community School.
