Adult entertainment may not sound like the type of commerce to go near a school or church in Wiscasset's commercial or rural districts, but there's nothing in the town rules to stop it.

A proposed ordinance would add rules about the businesses. The same districts would still allow them, but with restrictions including a nudity ban and a 1,500 feet buffer from churches, schools and public recreation areas.

The businesses could set up no closer than 250 feet from a residential property line. The commercial district's boundaries are too narrow to impose a bigger setback and still give an adult business a place to go, Town Planner Misty Parker said.

Restrictions that block an adult business from coming to town would risk a court challenge on Constitutional grounds, Parker said.

As proposed by the Ordinance Review Committee, the establishments could serve no alcohol; they would also have special rules to follow for signs.

The nudity ban would nix nude dancing and topless establishments; but adult book and film stores could happen.

Selectmen approved the ordinance to go on to a town vote, 4-1, with Jeff Slack opposed. He gave no reason during the meeting, but later explained that he felt the ordinance should have been much more restrictive.

Selectmen plan to have voters decide on the proposal at the polls in  November.  A public hearing will take place ahead of the vote.

The committee started with the same model ordinance Edgecomb used for its adult entertainment rules, then tailored it to Wiscasset, Parker said.

Wiscasset's commercial and rural districts are the only ones an adult entertainment business qualifies for.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.