Oxford changes ordinances

OXFORD — The special town meeting on zoning changes was brief and to the point, resulting in them being adopted, as written.

The special meeting was called to adopt, or reject, proposed changes to the rules governing the height of buildings, as well as the distance some buildings have to be from the road and property lines. It also addressed a mass-gathering ordinance and standards for marijuana cultivation and/or distributorships. The issues had all been addressed December 16, in a public hearing before the selectmen's meeting opened.

Approximately 100 people attended the town meeting, 86 of whom cast votes, by the official count of Town Clerk Ellen Morrison. The meeting was convened, the business was conducted according to the warrant, and the meeting was closed in 13 minutes. Roughly one-fourth of the time involved the election and swearing-in of the moderator, Ron Kugell, the retired school vice principal and the former town police chief. Kugell is the traditional town meeting moderator in Oxford.

Few questions were asked by the assembled citizens, but those were quickly answered.

Terri Coolidge-Marin, who had expressed concerns at the December 16 hearing, asked to have the proposed changes read.

"They're the same as they were at the public hearing you attended," said Town Manager Mike Chammings, who rose in response at Kugell's invitation.

He then proceeded to briefly summarize and explain, but not read, the articles dealing with building height and distance. With the exception of the height-limit change, the rewording for the most part brought the standards into conformity with other zoning requirements. They also deleted a rule on the books that considered hotel and motel accommodations with cooking facilities to be "dwellings."

Another citizen asked if the zoning standards included the marijuana cultivation and distribution standard was considered part of the zoning change. They were, Kugell responded. Coolidge-Marin then asked why the state's statutes weren't sufficient in light of the similarities between town and state police, especially in light of the fact that the state had already issued a license to an establishment in Winslow, designated to serve the district in which Oxford lies.

Again, Chammings responded explaining that an application that was made in Oxford though eventually not approved by the state, made them realize that if they didn't pass an ordinance, the town would have nothing on which to object if the state rules change and one tried to come in.

After his response, the question was called, passing by a large majority. The mass gathering ordinance also was quickly passed, without discussion.

Oxford Special Town Meeting Photo: E.C. Shanor

FAST GETAWAY— People didn't stay long after Oxford's Special Town Meeting, December 6. The changes to town ordinances were approved in 13 minutes after only brief explanations.