May 17, 2011
Maine

Hope to discuss ordinance proposals

By Kim Lincoln, Herald Gazette, knox.villagesoup.com 17 May 2011

Hope – A public hearing will be held Tuesday, May 24 to give Hope residents more information about five referendum questions that will appear on the ballot at June’s town meeting.

The hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at the town office.

One question will ask whether residents wish to enact a moratorium ordinance on wind power development.

According to the proposed ordinance, neighboring municipalities have recently received inquiries about the possibility of locating a wind power development within their territorial limits and Hope could be under threat of development pressure from wind power developments.

Town Administrator Jon Duke said no entity has inquired with the town office about such a development, but he has heard that developers have approached property owners.

The moratorium, which is proposed for 180 days, is being requested to give the town time to study its ordinances to determine the future implications of wind power development and to develop reasonable ordinances to govern the operation and location of such a development, the ordinance states.

The town will also ask residents whether to approve a Property Assessed Clean Energy Ordinance, or PACE. PACE is a program through Efficiency Maine that provides loans for homeowners to help make their houses more energy efficient. Weatherizing, adding insulation and installing better furnace controls are examples of the work done through the program. In addition, the loan can be transferred from the present homeowner to future owners if the home is sold.

In order for homeowners to be eligible, the town needs to approve an ordinance for the program.

Town residents will also be asked to enact an addressing ordinance. The policy outlines protocol for locating and naming roads.

Two questions will ask residents whether to allow the sale of liquor and also permit the sale of liquor on Sunday. This question was brought forward after a petition was submitted by the owners of Pushaw’s Trading Post.

Copies of the proposed ordinances are available at the town office and will also be available at the meeting.

Voting will take place on Tuesday, June 14. The polls are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/05/17/hope-to-discuss-ordinance-proposals/