Ogunquit News
Ogunquit to vote on budget, selectman, animal ordinance and more
By Melissa Wood
OGUNQUIT - This Saturday, April 7, Ogunquit voters will have the chance to decide whether to approve the $6,463,759 fiscal 2008 budget, keep the incumbent vice chairman or elect a new member to the Board of Selectmen and approve ordinance changes designed to implement the town's Comprehensive Plan.But in the midst of those 64 articles going in front of voters perhaps the most controversial item is Article 17, which contains changes to the animal control ordinance.
Kevin O'Neill, supervisor of Visitor Services, said the intention of the article is to align it with the conservation ordinance, Title IV, which states that dogs are not permitted within the entire Ogunquit Beach area from April 1 to Sept. 30. Dogs are permitted the rest of the year, as long as they are on a leash. Title IV defines Ogunquit Beach as all land west and north of the Ogunquit River.
The proposed changes define the entire Ogunquit Beach area to include the parking lots at Main, Moody and Footbridge Beach. The ordinance currently states that no dogs are allowed in the entire Ogunquit Beach area during those summer months.
"All I want is to make them consistent," he said.
O'Neill said even if the article fails, since the provision is already contained in Title IV, the discussion about the proposal may cause the enforcement to be stepped up.
"I'm sure with all the exposure that will start to be enforced," he said.
He said the sad part about the public reaction is that those in town who are against the ordinance are the ones who abide by the rules, usually not followed by visitors from out of town.
"It's the old story where a few ruin it for many," he said.
The article also includes changing the language to "animals" instead of "dogs" since people bring horses onto the beach and someone reportedly brought a baby elephant onto the beach several years ago.
The article also takes out the penalty for having an unleashed dog to make it less severe. Right now, according to the ordinance, an owner faces losing the dog's license, which is required by state law.
Residents also brought forward a petitioned article asking voters if they want the Ogunquit zoning and Comprehensive Plan amended "to ensure that there shall be no additional expansion or development of habitable transient accommodations by hotels or motels" in town.
The petitioned article was brought forward after the Planning Board was not able to include any changes to the sections of the ordinance regarding hotels and motels, which had been regarded as primarily responsible for the defeat of a bundled zoning article in November.
The ballot also contains three names of candidates for a three-year spot on the Board of Selectmen, but only two are actively contending for the spot currently held by Vice Chairman John Abbott.
Abbott is running for reelection against Herbert Hoffman, who currently serves as chairman on the Charter Review Committee.
A third candidate, Henry Hokans, dropped out of the race due health and professional reasons, and has given his support to Hoffman's candidacy.
The ballot also includes a trustee position for the Wells-Ogunquit Community School District. Incumbent Sue Ann Pollard is running unopposed for the spot.
Residents will also be asked whether the town should place certain sites on the Ogunquit Historic Preservation Register, including the mile marker on Old King's Highway, dolphin post in the Ogunquit River, Woodbury Studio, Ciampa boarding house, Locust Grove Cemetery on Shore Road, Ogunquit Memorial Library and the Ogunquit Playhouse.
The election will be held at Dunaway Community Center on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
