Edgecomb residents had no questions on proposed moratoriums on floating structures and commercial sale and production of recreational marijuana during a Jan. 2 public hearing. The hearing lasted eight minutes and only one person spoke.

The two moratoriums, and a request for $41,489 for windstorm cleanup are part of a special town meeting warrant. The special town meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16 in the town hall.

The planning board and ordinance review committee requested the moratoriums to provide more time to draft ordinances. The public hearing provided residents an opportunity to speak about the moratoriums, but no resident spoke about either.

The only speaker was Healthy Lincoln County Project Coordinator Emily Bauer who offered information about the negative impact of teenage marijuana use. Bauer reported teen use was on the rise in Lincoln County. In 2016, 18 percent of county teens reported using marijuana. In 2017, use increased to 21 percent, according to a Maine Youth Integrated Study.

The study shows marijuana is the second-most commonly abused substance by Lincoln County teens. “Marijuana ranks only behind alcohol, but it’s on the rise,” Bauer said. “Research indicates it hurts developing adolescents’ brains and may lead to addiction. Recreational marijuana is illegal for those under 21, but we come here to offer our education and thoughts.”

The proposed moratorium would prohibit commercial sale and growth of marijuana for six months. Selectmen could extend it for another six months if the planning board and ordinance review committee need more time in drafting a proposal.

Planning Board Chairman Jack French reported the process is expected to take several months and asked Bauer to provide more information once a proposal is drafted. “Whatever proposal we come up with must go before a public hearing, and we ask you to come back at that time,” he said. “All we are asking now is to put a stop to everything for six months.”

French reported the planning board’s and the ORC’s work is being delayed by the state’s inability to set guidelines for legalized recreational marijuana approved in a 2016 referendum. “Our goal is for a town meeting vote, but we are waiting on the Legislature. They have three or four different proposals and the whole thing may be further delayed by going to court so we are waiting to see what happens in Augusta,” he said. 

The planning board and ORC are also waiting for state officials to provide guidance on drafting a floating structure ordinance. Last year, the planning board received two inquiries regarding house boats. There are no town ordinances or state guidelines regulating floating structures. This led to discussions between the planning board and ORC on handling future house boat or other floating structure requests.

In March, residents enacted a six-month moratorium on floating structures. The selectmen failed to renew it for an additional six months resulting in the planning board and ORC requesting another voter approved six-month moratorium.

ORC officials hope to have a proposed ordinance ready for the May town meeting.