Special town meeting set December 12

OXFORD — The board of selectmen signed the warrant for a December 12 special town meeting during its meeting November 15.

Voters will decide three warrant articles, dealing with borrowing and town ordinances.

One article asks voters if Oxford's zoning ordinance should be amended to allow the construction of a waste water treatment plant in the town's general development zone.

A second article asks voters if the town's pawn brokers ordinance should be repealed and replaced.

According to Town Manager Michael Chammings, Oxford Police Chief John Tibbetts requested an update to the ordinance to help the department track stolen valuables that might be sold through pawn and second-hand shops in the town.

Voters will also be asked to authorize the treasurer and chairperson of the board of selectmen to issue a general obligation bond not to exceed $20.2 million.

The bond will be used to fund the construction of a new sewage treatment plant and municipal sewer system.

The town intends to pay down the debt with revenue from its tax increment financing district as well as low interest loans and grants.

A public hearing on the treatment facility and amending the town's zoning ordinance will be held on November 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Oxford Elementary School.

In other news the board:

• Appointed Dennis Fournier and Dan O'Neil to the planning board.

• Adopted a post-issuance compliance policy for tax-exempt purposes.

• Directed Michael Chammings to negotiate a long-term lease with the Oxford American Legion to use its ball field.