Oxford Board of Selectmen

March 16, 2017

Oxford Town Hall

Building Code Ordinance

What happened: Code Enforcement Officer Joelle Corey-Whitman told selectmen she has been unable to locate evidence that the Building Code enacted in 1958 was ever updated. 

What it means: As of Dec. 1, 2010, the state of Maine mandated all towns with a population of at least 4,000 that adopted a building code on or before Aug. 1, 2008, adopt and enforce the new Maine Uniform Building and Energy Codes in their building code. Corey-Whitman has recommended the town adopt an updated Building Code.

What’s next: A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 6, in the selectmen’s meeting room at the Town Office. The hearing is required to enact a building code.

Permit application fees

What happened: Corey-Whitman told selectmen she went back through the town records to 1958 and couldn’t find any reference to fees for items such as site plan applications. She is recommending instituting a system of fees – for example, $175 to file a site plan application.

What it means: The fee structure would provide the town with money to pay for expenses such as legal notices in newspapers, appeals hearings and other legally-mandated issues. Developers she has spoken to are not opposed to this and it is common for towns to have a fee structure, Corey-Whitman said.

What’s next: The fee structure will go to a public hearing April 6.

Municipal car policy

What happened: The Board of Selectmen approved a municipal car policy on a 4-0 vote, after the document was reviewed by the Safety Committee.

What it means: The policy stipulates that town, private or rental cars used for town business will only be driven by authorized employees who meet certain criteria, including no use of intoxicants, drugs or medications that impair driving, and a valid license and a satisfactory driving record. Employees must walk around the car before driving it to check it, wear seat belts, not smoke and not use it for personal use unless preauthorized in writing by a supervisor. The policy also covers areas such as cellphone use and accident reporting.

Mass gathering permit

What happened: Mike Mayberry of Oxford Plains Speedway gave the board additional information requested for a mass gathering permit for the Oxford 250 race in August.

What’s it means: Selectmen approved the permit.

Agency liquor license

What happened: The town has three state-approved liquor licenses and has petitioned the state for a fourth one. At least two people have applied for one of the licenses that is not being used.

What’s next: A hearing on the application for the unused license will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, March 24, at the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, 10 Water St., Hallowell.

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