Board approves special town meeting warrant

BUCKFIELD — The board of selectmen approved a warrant for a December 8 special town meeting during its meeting Tuesday. 

Residents will vote for three articles – the first will enact a special amusement ordinance for the town.

The special amusement ordinance, drafted by Jason Rowe and put on the warrant by petition, would allow establishments that sell alcohol to apply for a special entertainment permit from the town.

The permit would allow the establishment to host events like live music.

Rowe is part owner of Captain Bly's Tavern, a bar and restaurant that is set to open soon in Buckfield.

If approved, the second warrant article would allow the town to enter the Maine State Employees Retirement System, effective January 1.

According to the minutes of an October 26 selectmen's workshop, Town Manager Dana Lee said joining the Maine plan would reduce the employer match from 3 percent to 2.8 percent.

Employees who wanted to remain on the previous plan would be permitted to do so but would have to purchase the service individually.

The third article asks voters if they will  support a court decision to rescind the conservation easement voters accepted in 2002.

The easement on a plot of land is now owned by Dale Eichorn. It was approved before Mrs. Eichorn owned the land, when a development was planned.

Mrs. Eichorn has told the board she has no intention of developing the land and intends to seek a court order to remove the easement.

Because the easement was enacted at a town meeting, voters must formally state they are unopposed to having a court remove it, if so wished.