OTISFIELD — The Ordinance Policy Review Committee continues review and possible revision of the town’s telecommunications ordinance this week.

“We know the ordinance is not without flaws,” Board of Selectmen Chairman Hal Ferguson said. “There’s always some things that can be changed.”

The committee began its work in October and will continue at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Town Office.

The committee has been in existence for years, dealing with everything from parking to smoking on public beaches. The ordinance was written in 1999.

“There’s always some things that can change in 14 years with the new technology,” Ferguson said.

Many officials and residents agreed the ordinance needed to be revised after more than a year of legal wranglings last year when U.S. Cellular proposed to build a 180-foot communications tower on Scribner Hill.

The town spent nearly $50,000 to defend itself against legal action by a grass-roots organization, Friends of Scribner Hill. The group said the approval process, which was in part based on the ordinance, was faulty. In May, U.S. Cellular pulled out of the deal and the court dismissed the case.

Selectmen have encouraged Friends of Scribner Hill to share information at the committee meetings.

The committee is chaired by Joseph Zilinsky and includes Planning Board member Stanley Brett, Selectman Lenny Adler, Diana Olsen, Karen Turino and Nancy Lundquist. They will submit their work to selectmen, who will call a public hearing. Ferguson said he expects the hearing to be in April. The ordinance will be on the town meeting warrant for a vote by residents.

Copy the Story Link