TURNER — Selectmen voted unanimously Monday night to extend the moratorium on retail marijuana establishments for another 180 days.
The moratorium was unanimously adopted by the board April 8 on the recommendation of the Maine Municipal Association.
The association suggested towns adopt a moratorium ordinance banning marijuana retail stores and shops while regulations to govern them are written and approved. The moratorium is valid for 180 unless renewed.
Chris Pillsbury of 93 Bradford Road asked the board to adopt a new dog barking ordinance that specifies the length of time the barking can continue before it’s a violation.
Pillsbury said the ordinance, which forbids a dog to “unnecessarily annoy or disturb any person,” is too vague.
Town Manager Kurt Schaub provided a copy of the ordinance and dog barking policies of four other towns for comparison. The matter was tabled for further discussion and to confer with the animal control officer.
Rescue Chief Lisa Bennett was given approval to purchase a second Stryker powered ambulance cot. Half the cost will be paid by the department, saving the town $6,694 of the $13,388 price tag.
The cot can lift up to 750 pounds, and it allows two people to safely and easily lift from one side. Power cots are known to prevent back injuries resulting in crew downtime and potential workers’ compensation expenses. Only one of the rescue units is equipped with a power cot.
Fire Chief Rodney Guptill told board his crew spent Sept. 23–26 extinguishing a fire about two miles into the woods on Bear Mountain. The department fought the blaze with 14 water tank drops Saturday. The helicopter made 22 more drops, getting water from Bear Pond.
The cause is thought to be a campfire. According to Guptill, two adults carrying backpacks along with two children and a dog disappeared into the woods before they could be questioned.
The board:
• Voted unanimously to renew junkyard permits for Jesse Walker on County Road, Lester Quimby on Quimby Road and two for David Richard on Harlow Hill Road and Auburn Road for 2017-18;
• Voted unanimously to correct the amount of a homestead exemption credit requested by Eric Cousins of Lower Street:
• Approved KR Youland and Sons bid for asphalt crushing. It is $6.25 per yard for ¾ inch gravel, $6.25 per yard 3/8-inch gravel and $6,000 flat for crushing services, for a total of $99,750. Chairman Kurt Youland, owner of the company, excused himself from the discussion and vote. His was the only bid received;
• Voted unanimously to approve the bid of $1.729 per gallon for heating oil to Blanchard Cash Fuel of Turner. Blanchard will also supply propane and diesel;
• Announced the annual turkey dinner/silent auction will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Boofy Quimby Memorial Center Hall, 96 Howes Corner Road. The fundraiser benefits Turner Rescue and Fire departments; and
• Set the next board meeting for Monday, Oct. 16 at the Town Office.
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