September 12, 2012
Maine

Three ordinances get hearings in Peru

Mary Standard, Special to the Sun Journal | www.sunjournal.com 10 September 2012

PERU – Ordinances on electronic signs, recall of elected officials and industrial wind power were the subjects of public hearings Monday night by selectmen.

Fire Chief Bill Hussey introduced the electronic sign ordinance, which is required by Maine Department of Transportation. Signs are permitted by MDOT as long as each message remains fixed on the display and does not blink or cause any distraction to drivers. There is a sign on the side of the fire station on Route 108.

Tammy Ferland spoke about the recall ordinance, which was placed on the November ballot through a petition signed by 118 voters.

The ordinance states that an elected official may be recalled for failure to appropriately carry out duties and responsibilities. Ferland said she looked at several ordinances from other towns and all of them included the example of removing someone from office who does not do the will of the voters.

Selectman Kathy Hussey said she had not seen that example in any ordinances she read.

Ferland said the ordinance was to give the people the right to vote officials out of office.

Pulsifer and the Industrial Wind Ordinance Committee presented a five-page excerpt from the 28-page ordinance. He said the purpose of the regulations is to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the town. He said wind power development can’t be blocked, but can be controlled.

Considerable discussion revolved around waivers, including property owners being able to waive their rights concerning setback, sound or shadow flicker from turbines. Setbacks include 2 miles from any property line and 1,750 feet from any public way. Sound restrictions will be 40 decibels daytime and 35 at night.

A hearing on the wind ordinance will be scheduled 30 days before voting Nov. 6.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/09/12/three-ordinances-get-hearings-in-peru/