Dresden residents gathered at Pownalborough Hall Aug. 17 to adopt four separate initiatives. The special town meeting quickly, and unanimously, voted to approve all four articles.
Approval of the first article repealed the 1993 shoreland zoning ordinance that currently conflicts with the ordinance passed in 2009 and amended in 2010. Failure to repeal the 1993 ordinance, which contradicts DEP-endorsed changes in the 2009 ordinance, would have resulted in the DEP takeover of all decisions related to shoreland use.
Voters also approved the adoption of a recall ordinance, allowing for the removal of any elected official by town election, save school board members, that are deemed unfit to serve.
In order to request a recall of an official, 10 percent of the electorate of the last gubernatorial election must sign a petition requesting the recall.
The third article passed by voters approved the appropriation of $20,000 from the Capital Improvement Account, an account used for the repair of town facilities, to replace the floor and windows in the town office, fix the stairs at the Recycling Center, and tile the floor at Pownalborough Hall.
“It’s not going to be an easy project,” said selectman Allan Moeller, endorsing the proposal.
The Town Office will be closed from end of day Sept. 10 to Sept. 20 due to the repairs.
The $20,000 will be taken from the $56,489 currently in the Capital Improvement Account.
The final article put before the town requested the Town accept the grant money awarded to the Dresden Fire Department for the purchase of “turn-out” gear, the equipment used by firefighters to protect them from fires.
Three sets of gear will be purchased. The town will purchase one set. The other two will be purchased using the grant money.