CANTON — Selectmen on Thursday were presented with two new ordinances and updates to a fourth by four members of the Planning Board.

Planning Board Chairwoman Becky McDonald said the Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance would be a “boon for small businesses in town and working towards being able to create more businesses in town.” The ordinance was spearheaded by Planning Board member Ashley McCorkindale.

The ordinance states that residents have the right to “produce, process, sell, purchase and consume local foods,” and are “exempt from licensure and inspection, provided that the transaction is only between the producer or processor and a patron when the food is sold for home consumption.”

McDonald, along with fellow board members Doleen Boyce and Mary Wainwright said the new Recreational Land Use Ordinance covers all the town’s recreational areas, including the beach, the ball field and the ATV Park and Ride. McDonald stressed that the ordinance’s rules “can be enforced by the sheriff.”

Rules include: Pets must be on a leash at all times and within constant attention of their owner; no motorized vehicles will be allowed on recreational properties, except the ATV Park and Ride and the two boat launches; and no smoking will be allowed.

A change to the Automobile Graveyard, Nuisance and/or Junkyard Ordinance requires a permit for four or more vehicles, instead of two or more.

Administrative Assistant Scotty Kilbreth said a lawyer will review the ordinances and voters will decide whether to adopt them at a special town meeting in 2017.

In other business, Kilbreth said Elizabeth Rothrock and other residents have prepared a plaque to be placed on a rock in the park by the town’s new boat launch on Route 140. The plaque expresses appreciation for the people of Canton and Hartford, and others “from away” who contributed to rebuilding the Lake Anasagunitcook Dam.

According to Kilbreth, around 2009 the dam needed repairs and the dam owner didn’t have the means to rebuild it. The town applied for grants and residents of both towns contributed to get the job done.

Also Thursday, Natalie Sneller was appointed to the Regional School Unit 10 board of directors to replace Faith Campbell, who was unable to attend meetings. Snell is a strong proponent of Canton, Carthage, Dixfield and Peru forming their own school district. Currently, all four towns are part of RSU 10.

Residents of the four towns will vote Nov. 8 on whether to withdraw from RSU 10.

mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net

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