JAY — Selectmen are set to review three draft ordinances on building and energy codes, subdivisions and a weatherization low-interest loan program at 6 p.m. Monday at the Town Office.

Code Enforcement Officer Shiloh LaFreniere said towns with 4,000 or more residents must comply with the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code. It is optional for towns with fewer than 4,000 residents.

The town has a population of 4,885.

“(If the town) doesn’t adopt something, then the state will impose their own administrative rules,” Town Manager Ruth Cushman said.

The draft ordinance proposes building permits, third-party inspections and occupancy permits, among other things, for new buildings and for renovations to existing buildings.

Building permits would be required per the state code. No building permit would be issued by the code enforcement officer until the applicant submitted a completed building permit application certifying a contractual arrangement between a third-party inspector and the building owner, according to the draft ordinance.

A third-party inspector would have to be hired by the resident or property owner having the work done to make sure all codes are followed.

The new building or structure would also have to comply with the state’s energy code, LaFreniere said.

Selectmen must decide whether a permit or application would have a fee attached, she said. Selectmen would have to adopt a fee schedule.

If selectmen approve the ordinance, it would be taken up at the June 12 town meeting. If voters approve it, it would go into effect on July 1.

Selectmen will also review a Subdivision Ordinance amendment that has already been through the Planning Board.

The amendments to the existing ordinance include clarification of road frontage as being on a public way established by or maintained under public authority or a private right of way, the description of which is recorded in the Franklin County Registry of Deeds.

It also proposes a change in the filing fees for a subdivision. Currently, there is a filing fee of $100 per lot or dwelling unit under the subdivision chapter.

The ordinance proposes to change it so the filing fee for new subdivisions would be $100 per lot or dwelling unit and the filing fee for amendments or revisions to previously approved plans would be $50 per lot or dwelling unit, LaFreniere said.

Another change would require all abutters to be notified by certified mail for new subdivisions and by regular mail for all amendments to previously approved plans, LaFreniere said.

The third ordinance selectmen will review has to do with the Property Assessed Clean Energy program.

For property owners to participate in the Efficiency Maine loan program, the town must adopt an ordinance. Eligible property owners could take out low-interest loans up to $15,000 over 15 years to weatherize and make their homes energy-efficient.

dperry@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link