During their Annual Town Meeting June 18 at the Pownalborough Hall, Dresden residents unanimously supported an ordinance regulating adult entertainment businesses.
Approximately 40 people voted on the ordinance, which includes restrictions banning alcohol sales and full nudity. The restrictions will also prohibit a strip club from operating between midnight and 6 a.m.
The vote was “preventative maintenance” said town employee Trudy Foss and did not stem from a specific business application. The article brought no discussion from residents at the meeting but a copy of the ordinance stated, “the citizens of the town of Dresden believe that sexually oriented businesses, because of their very nature, have potential negative secondary effects on surrounding areas.”
“This makes sure we’re ahead of it in case there is an interest,” Foss said.
The nearly two hour long meeting featured little debate or rancor save for a lengthy discussion on school consolidation. Voters passed Articles 41 and 42, which sought over $16,000 to pay for additional hours for a school nurse and librarian respectively.
According to Dresden educators present at the meeting, the funds are necessary due to budget cuts within the RSU 2 district. Dresden resident Ryan Cote argued in favor of the articles by saying “a good education is paramount to the future of the town.”
“Everyone learns in their own fashion but you need a chance to learn,” said Cote. “This money funds the future.”
Those in favor of the appropriation of funds said the money should be kept local by hiring a library educational technician from the town. Though a librarian would be available through the Bridge School, the person is not certified and would need additional training, according to resident John Jesse James, a former board member of the school.
The conversation eventually became a forum on the merits of school consolidation itself prompting District 53 Rep. Les Fossel (R-Alna) to offer his assistance.
“If this town came to a consensus on the information it needed I’m quite sure I could help you,” said Fossel. “You’ve got to come to that consensus first before that happens.”
Other discussions of note included an impassioned plea by Cote for $2500 to be used for the Richmond Food Pantry, a non-denominational organization that has seen a sharp increase in families seeking food.
“Kids are starving in our communities; seniors are suffering,” said Cote. “This $2500 will buy $20,000 worth of food.”
While residents were sympathetic and supportive of Cote’s proposal, the food bank had failed to petition the town in time to include the request on the warrant. Selectman Dave Probert suggested Cote attend an upcoming board meeting where the issue could be tackled in earnest.
Other articles approved by voters included $49,865 for town employee salaries, $10,000 for capital improvements, $300 increase for the fire chief, and an additional $11,200 for snow removal, per a contractual obligation.
In earlier comments, Selectman Probert characterized the warrant as “fairly standard” with no major deviations from the previous year.
