NORWAY – Approval of the town’s first outdoor festival license has been granted.

On Thursday, selectmen unanimously approved the Norway Trackers’ request for its annual radar run and snowmobiling drag race event Jan. 26-27, 2008.

“This is the first time we’ve handled one of these,” Chairman Russ Newcomb said of the three-page application developed by Town Manager David Holt and police Chief Rob Federico. It is to ensure the community’s health and safety when crowds of more than 250 people gather in town for events such as festivals, concerts, fairs and exhibitions.

A public hearing must be held first to review the application and determine what safeguards need to be put in place.

The application requires applicants to provide a wide range of information including an estimate of attendees, whether alcohol will be served, sources of potable water, medical and first aid personnel and provisions, communication systems, security personnel and so forth.

Richard Mowatt, representing the Trackers, told selectmen that the event is expected to bring 1,000 to 2,000 people to Norway Lake for the Oxford Hills SnoFest in January. Proceeds are used to maintain the 60 miles of trails in Norway.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun,” Mowatt said.

If the ice is too thin, which was the case last year for the first time in 10 years, the event will be held on another, as yet undetermined, date by the end of February.

Selectmen, most of whom belong to the Trackers, agreed to waive the $100 application fee for the group but requested it pay for advertising for the public hearing. Board members said they will consider waiving the fee for any group whose event is deemed to have public benefit.

Selectman Les Flanders said the fee should be waived because the event brings in thousands of people to Norway and therefore benefits not only Norway motels and eateries and such but those in area towns as well.

Under the ordinance, selectmen have the right to grant or deny the application or grant it with conditions and to waive the application fee. Selectmen agreed they should decide whether to charge for advertising in the future or continue to have the town pay for it.