WOODSTOCK — Woodstock’s annual town meeting April 26 will feature votes on purchasing Buck’s Ledge, adopting a medical marijuana retail ordinance, making Woodstock a second amendment sanctuary town and replacing the Bacon Bridge.
A proposal to buy the 640-acre Buck’s Ledge property, which overlooks North Pond, would not require tax money. Instead, the town’s share (not yet determined) would come from a dedicated land conservation account, with the rest paid privately or by grants.
A proposed medical marijuana caregiver retail store ordinance, if approved, would allow for the retail sale of medical marijuana in town.
The Second Amendment Sanctuary Town proposal was citizen requested, and according to its wording “would provide sanctuary from the law enforcement attempts to enforce any and all federal and state mandates and restrictive laws enacted that violate the original intent of protections given the individual under the United States Constitution as well as under the State of Maine Constitution that states, ‘shall never be questioned.'”
Town officials have questioned the applicability of the proposal, saying that changes to gun laws would require legislation at the state or federal level.
Voters will also be asked to approve up to $500,000 for a project to replace the Bacon Bridge on Old County Road. An old culvert currently runs under the road, and although town officials have explored simply replacing it, the Maine Department of Transportation is strongly recommending it be replaced with a bridge, according to Town Manager Vern Maxfield. The warrant article requests approval for up to $500,000 for a bond to finance it. Also requested is an appropriation of $75,000 in tax money to go toward the total. Maxfield also said Woodstock has been approved for a $125,000 Stream Protection grant from the state to go toward the work.
Also up for a vote is a proposal for establishing a retirement program for full time town employees, either as an IRA plan or with the Maine Public Employees Retirement System.
Among other articles is a request for $150,000 for the Greenwood & Woodstock Transfer Station, up from $120,000. Maxfield said the increase is due to a combination of decreased value of recyclables and an increase last year from people doing more-than-usual amounts of spring cleaning early in the pandemic.
In town elections, the seats of Selectman Jeff Campbell and Library Trustee Alice Deegan are up for a vote, both for a three-year term. Maxfield said he knows of no one else interested in the positions.
If all money articles are approved, the mil rate is estimated to increase by 15 cents per thousand to 13.35, Maxfield said.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the town office parking lot.
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