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Moorings and Noise Among Issues on Bridgton Ballot

June 04, 2008 - BRIDGTON -- Voters here will decide whether to establish a mooring ordinance, adopt a commercial building code and make several changes in town zoning measures in the June 10 election.

The most controversial of the six referendum questions, to be decided by secret ballot, involves the mooring ordinance, which was referred to voters by the Board of Selectmen.

Town Manager Mitchell A. Berkowitz said the proposal grew out of a concern by lakefront property owners that visitors were renting boats from marinas for several days, mooring them in front of camps or cottages and enjoying the amenities of living on the lake without paying any property taxes.

The ordinance would regulate the location and number of moorings and establish a fee that would pay the cost of hiring a seasonal harbor master to administer and enforce the measure.

Bridgton has significant frontage on Long Lake, but unlike the neighboring towns of Naples and Harrison, it does not have a harbor master or other enforcement presence on the lake.

A mooring committee initially heard debate on the idea, then referred it to selectmen, who decided that residents should decide.

"There are people who genuinely have passion on both sides of this issue," Berkowitz said.

Another question on the ballot will ask voters to strengthen the town's existing ordinance to control disorderly behavior in residences.

The ordinance, adopted last year, is intended to control noise at homes where residents disturb neighbors by squealing tires, hosting noisy parties, engaging in fights or creating other disturbances.

If three disturbances occur within 30 days, selectmen are empowered to impose fines of up to $2,500 a day against the property owner. Police Chief David Lyons said he wants the time frame expanded to 60 days, to prevent abuses by property owners who skirt the current 30-day term.

The other referendum questions would make largely technical changes in shoreland zoning and require commercial buildings to comply with the international building code, an industry standard.

By DIETER BRADBURY, Staff Writer, Portland Press Herald, June 3, 2008

Lakes: Long Lake
Regions: Sebago


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