HARTFORD – Code Enforcement Officer Jack Plumley told selectmen Thursday that he is getting numerous inquiries into permits for new buildings in Hartford.

He has had approximately 24 inquiries for spring building, he said, including a subdivision off Route 140.

Plumley said Hartford has ordinances governing construction in shoreland areas and subdivisions, but it does not have designated zones for commercial or industrial development, farming, housing and other uses.

Dave Kraske of the Comprehensive Plan Committee said there was no consensus on zoning on the Planning Board.

Plumley said he was told at a recent Federal Emergency Management Agency meeting that the U.S. Census for 2000 indicated Hartford is the fastest growing small town in Maine.

He said there is a growing need for zoning in the town, which has a population of around 1,000. Plumbley cited several violations for cutting brush around ponds. He is planning a public meeting with a representative from the Department of Environmental Protection on the rules for clearing along shorelands.

Selectmen Lee Holman voiced a complaint from a resident using the McSherry Lane dumpster. According to the complaint, people from out of town were dumping demolition debris, a toilet and other things.

Resident Bob Calawa, who is also on the solid waste committee, said he would purchase a sign warning nonresidents not to use the dumpster.

Board Chairman Scott Swain proposed having the Ordinance Committee write regulations to restrict the use of the dumpster to local residents so the town would have legal recourse.

The board voted in favor of it.

In other news, Swain and Selectman Laura Marston voted to continue having Zoe Cowett serve as the interim town clerk until the annual town elections next June. Holman abstained from voting.

Swain said he will write a policy on town office closings. This will be voted on at the next meeting Jan. 6.