By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Ordinances require “tweaking” from time to time.

With review from legal counsel, the Planning Board brought proposed amendments to the town’s Land Use Ordinance to selectmen Tuesday night.

Planning Chairman Deb Brusini walked selectmen through the changes and explained why “legal” was suggesting the revisions. Selectmen agreed to place the amendments before voters on the November warrant.

Another Planning Board project didn’t fare as well.

Selectmen heard opposition to proposed amendments to the town’s Site Plan Review and Land Use Ordinances to permit and regulate medical marijuana establishments.

Glenn Peterson, who operates a marijuana cultivation business in the former knitting mill building on Portland Road, argued that changes were highly-restrictive, would prevent any future expansion and could essentially put him out of business.

“It was written to put me out of business. I’d like to see a citizens committee to look at this…Let a citizen committee hash out what the problems are. My hope is to reject this and go back to the drawing board. I’d like to save my business and the 15 people who work there. The Planning Board has done a poor job. I don’t know what they were thinking when they wrote this ordinance,” Peterson told selectmen.

Primary concerns voiced by Peterson regarded buffers and testing. The proposed changes would shrink the distance standard (the closeness of the cultivation facility to other locations like schools, daycares, churches, etc.), and require testing.

At the moment, testing of cannabis for pesticides and other components is not a requirement because certified labs do not presently exist.

“To require testing they are suggesting would be prohibitive,” Peterson said. “I can’t support this [amendments]. We’ve been doing this for 10 years. We are hands-on operators with a great amount of industry knowledge. We would be willing to share it with you. People don’t know what we are doing. We would like for town officials to come in and see what we are doing.”

Peterson added that the “state has done a horrible job also” in regards to developing guidelines.

Brusini explained to selectmen that planners looked at medical marijuana as a “medicine,” and decided “let’s treat it that way” by including a testing piece.

“Poisons are being defined by the state that has to be tested,” she said. “If they don’t test for heavy metals or contaminants, then they have to place a giant Warning on the label.”

Selectmen directed planners back in July 2018 to develop guidelines in reference to both medical marijuana and adult use (recreational). Since that time, planners held 12 workshops and a public hearing — all open to the public — to hear concerns and gain input as part of the regulation development process. Planners also consulted with department heads, the Community Development Committee, local businesses and three attorneys — two of which are “versed in this area,” Brusini noted.

Planner Ken Gibbs pointed out that the local vote on the statewide referendum to permit the use of marijuana in Maine passed here by a slight margin. So, planners wanted to get a good handle on how most residents wanted to proceed, not just the interests of a few.

“The intent is not to put anyone out of business,” Brusini said. “It was written with a lot of thought, and I am sure it can be improved. Let’s understand what the regulations are before we bring them up. And let’s register concerns with Brenda [Day, the town’s administrative assistant] and Planning Board in written form.

A workshop will be held on Sept. 17 regarding Adult Use (recreation marijuana).

Because the medical marijuana amendment piece was not on Tuesday’s agenda, selectmen somewhat scrambled to read through the material and asked questions on the fly. Chairman Lee Eastman disliked the position officials were in. Selectman Bear Zaidman apologized for not recognizing that the item wasn’t on the agenda when officials received it, but noted that action whether to include the amendment on the November ballot had to be taken to meet policy requirements.

Zaidman questioned the mandatory testing aspect of the amendment, worried that the cost could fall upon [if certified labs do not exist in the state] the town since it is the entity requiring the procedure. Noting that change and confusion remain at the state level regarding marijuana standards, Zaidman wondered if the town should hold off until the dust settles.

Former planner Cathy Pinkham simplified matters, saying if the board did nothing, no new businesses could open. If the amendments are approved, then Bridgton is open for business with standards in place.

Selectman Carmen Lone felt the “cautious” approach is the path to take.

“We have to decide what is right and safe for the Town of Bridgton,” she said.

Selectmen voted against placing the amendments in regards to medical marijuana on the November ballot, giving planners more time to review issues raised, as well as take more input.

In other meeting notes:

Making gains. The Bridgton Fire Department has seen its roster grow by 12, while two others are pending in the process and two more have expressed an interest. Eight of the approved new members are prior Bridgton firefighters, who have rejoined the department. The additions have resulted in an uptick in staffing response to emergency calls.

“The new staff have a variety of skills to offer, only three do not have any prior firefighting experience,” Fire Chief Tom Harriman reported. “As the chief, I am very appreciative of the support and the enthusiasm for the department and town.”

Members have been recently conducting unscheduled additional training above and beyond what is required, and have been cooking out at the stations prior to those trainings.

“Membership moral appears to be on the upswing,” the chief added.

One of the newest members serves, with his wife, on the Maine Search and Rescue dog teams — a great local resource for the area.

At some point, BFD plans to invite local law enforcement, United Ambulance personnel and the Maine Warden Service to a presentation to learn what resources are available and how all groups can work together, if and when requested.

BFD is also reviewing its written policies and will be planning future training. The department has responded to “multiple” water rescue calls this season.

Monument work update. Anthony Tafuri continues to work on the Main Hill Civil War monument. Sandblasting has been done in preparation of cleaning and sealing, which should be completed in two weeks, weather permitting.

Resignations. Cathy Pinkham resigned as a member of the Planning Board and Ordinance Review Committee due to health reasons. She personally thanked Deputy Town Manager Georgiann Fleck as a “great asset to the town” and selectmen who were supportive with information over the past 6 1/2 years. She added that the selectmen have done an “impeccable” job.

In turn, selectmen thanked Pinkham for her service.

“She served during the Planning Board’s most challenging period of time. She stuck it out,” Selectman Carmen Lone said.

Selectman Fred Packard added, “Cathy is a very hard worker and put her heart and soul into it. I thank her very much.”

“Nearly” a year remains on Pinkham’s term. Selectman Fred Packard asked which candidate finished third in the race for two planning seats in June. Dan Harden was the third-place finisher with 233 votes while Doug Oakley was fourth with 164. Packard made a motion to appoint Harden to fill the vacancy. The board approved the appointment, 5–0.

Deb Brusini, who was re-elected with 453 votes, has been elected as Planning Board chairman. She succeeds Steve Collins, who retired.

Nelle Ely has stepped down as vice chairman of the Community Development Committee. Bob McHatton has been elected as vice chairman.

“It’s the first time I’ve won something in a while so I was very happy,” McHatton said.

Bus Stop Shelter. The Explorer Bus arrives early and leaves late from the Bridgton Community Center, leaving passengers no place to seek shelter or sit while they wait if the nearby BCC facility is closed.

So, the Rotary Club wants to create a “bus stop.”

Club member Dick Enright pitched the proposal to selectmen, since the bus stop would be located on town property, two to three feet away from the Center (located in the no parking zone).

Enright said the fully-accessible structure would measure 5-feet by 10-feet, and would be built by Lake Region Vocational Center students. It would be “fastened” to the ground, utilizing four pressure-treated posts, shingled (like the Dunning Bridge roof) and include a solar-powered sensor light. Materials will come from Hancock Lumber, and the Explorer Bus has contributed a one-time $350 to the project. Enright said the Rotary would like to donate the “stop” to the town, which would then be responsible for maintenance.

Selectman Bear Zaidman wondered if having the bus stop would be permissible since the Center is under historical preservation status. Selectman Carmen Lone, who is the Center’s executive director, said that since the bus stop is not “connected” to the facility, it would not fall under historical preservation standards.

Lone added, “My feeling is it’s a good location, people will use and appreciate it. The style has been redesigned a couple of times. It’s a good project.”

Enright plans to check with Code Enforcement Officer Rob Baker regarding the project as part of departmental review next Tuesday. Selectmen accepted the gift of a bus stop provided it passes all department review, 5–0.

Parking concern. Resident Sue Hatch voiced concerns regarding boats being parked overnight at the Highland Lake Beach area and the need for a sign prohibiting such action. She added “less activity at night the better,” pointing out to two violent situations in the area over the past two weeks.

Rave reviews. The Zerbini Family Circus received rave reviews from those in attendance, as well as Rec Director Gary Colello. A big crowd was on hand Monday night with young and old enjoying plenty of thrills, tricks, a variety of animal acts (dog, donkey and horse), laughs and unusual sights (a sporty yellow car that turned into a Transformer, as well as a chance to be photographed, if one dared, with a fairly large snake and ride a camel) over an 80 to 90-minute performance.

The Zerbinis put on three public shows, as well as a summer camp performance (450 people from Naples, Harrison, Poland, Lovell, Bridgton and Fryeburg Rec, along with Bridgton SACC). With Bridgton Rec as the sponsor, the Zerbinis raised $1,462 for the summer rec program.

“This was a great fundraiser for the Town of Bridgton Recreation Department. Funds received as the host of this event will help with funding scholarships and enrichment field trips for summer rec,” Colello wrote in a letter to selectmen. “The heat over the weekend did not help attendance on Sunday, but the show was near full on Monday night.”

 Colello added that it is his hope to invite the Zerbini Family Circus back on an annual basis.

“It was a great addition to the town’s summer activities and even better for our Summer Rec program,” he added.

As promised, the Zerbinis left the Stevens Brook Elementary School grounds “neat and clean, free of any trash and/or animal droppings,” Colello noted.

“The animals looked to be healthy and well-cared-for, and all seemed to be just another part of the family,” he reported. “I cannot speak enough about their organization of their operation and quick responses to questions and concerns.”

Within an hour after Monday’s show, the tent and other show items were packed away, animals and performers were aboard their respective vehicles, and the circus was off to their next destination — Rockland/Thomaston for shows on Wednesday and Thursday.

There is no rest for this hardworking family troupe. Their schedule — Friday in Harmony, Saturday in Corinth, Sunday in Corinna, Monday in Dover-Foxcroft, Tuesday in Harland, Wednesday in Springfield, Thursday in Danforth and Friday/Saturday in Caribou.

Meeting schedule. The next selectmen’s meetings will be held on Aug. 13 and Aug. 27, at 5 p.m.

Workshops will be: 4 p.m. on Aug. 27, regarding parking ordinance; 4 p.m. on Sept. 10, to discuss senior tax relief.