LIVERMORE FALLS – It was listed on the agenda as a public hearing on the proposed ordinance to regulate adult-only businesses, but the public had very little opportunity to be heard Monday night.

Chairman Ken Jacques told the full house of citizens that he would entertain only questions relating directly to the contents of the proposed ordinance, not their feelings for or against it, because that could take too long and might bring confrontations.

He also refused to hear comments from any who were not registered voters of the town, noting that the voters were the ones directly – including financially – affected by the ordinance.

Town Manager Alan Gove supported Jacques’ position, saying people had had enough time to express their opinions in previous meetings and through petitions.

Code Enforcement Officer Brenda Medcoff suggested that present businesses that currently have adult material, such as videos and magazines, be allowed to continue selling them in a portion of their space, rather than having to eliminate the materials over a specified time as provided in the ordinance. That time period would range from six months to five years.

Selectman Russell Flagg thought this would cost the town money to hire someone to monitor the compliance, but Medcoff suggested, “We may be drawing the window too close.”

When asked why adult businesses couldn’t be prohibited, Jacques explained, “Constitutionally, we can’t, we can only regulate the location.”

Wayne Parker Jr., who had filed an application for such a business, asked for documentation to prove statements in the first two sections of the ordinance saying the presence of sexually orientated businesses are a detriment to the town.

Voters will have an opportunity to express their opinions on the ordinance at the polls on Nov. 2. Gove said it will be a ballot question that reads: “Shall an ordinance entitled Town of Livermore Falls Adult-Only Businesses Ordinance be enacted?”

Voters will also have another question to answer Nov. 2: a straw vote on whether the town should look into changing to Franklin County.

Gove will gather more information on the idea of switching counties, if it is approved. One major advantage would be for the Police Department, and for citizens having legal dealings, as the court is in Farmington, which is closer than Lewiston, where all cases go now.