The Wiscasset Ordinance Review Committee has prepared a report selectmen sought on how to propose repealing the Historic Preservation Ordinance. The draft report the ORC approved Monday night also suggests other options short of repeal, and maintains the vote should be next June, not this November as selectmen have planned.

Selectmen began pursuing a repeal vote last spring after hearing complaints about the commission the 2015 ordinance created. Town Manager Marian Anderson then sought the reports from the ORC and the commission.

The November election will have a low turnout, ORC Chairman Karl Olson predicted during Monday’s meeting at the municipal building. Taking issue with a legal opinion selectmen got, the ORC maintains the preservation ordinance, unlike others, can only be altered at the annual town meeting, and that the June town meeting is the only one that has been called the annual one. 

Olson writes in the draft report: “As one of the many editors of this ordinance, I can state that it was written specifically to make the ordinance difficult to change and then, only by the largest number of town residents. We knew that this was a totally new ordinance and that it would suffer from growing pains.”

The commission has handled most applications without issue, the draft report continues. “We do not believe this is a bad track record ...” If the select board supports historical preservation and the priority the comprehensive plan gives it, the board should be looking at possible revisions instead of repeal, the ORC argues.

“The (comprehensive plan’s) first goal listed which was also given the highest priority ranking was to preserve Wiscasset’s historic heritage through the establishment of the Historic Preservation Ordinance and committee ... (The plan) should always be consulted and should only be deviated from with thought, consideration and a written record of the decision as to why it is not going to be followed,” the draft report states.

Reached via email after Monday’s meeting, Selectmen’s Chairman Judy Colby confirmed the board has voted to put the ordinance question on the November ballot. She declined comment on items the ORC raised in the draft report.

Olson told ORC members he will add to the report a timeline that fits selectmen’s plans to get the question on the November ballot.

ORC and preservation commission member Gordon Kontrath told ORC members the commission’s report, still being finalized, will make similar points to the ORC’s. The commission’s report will also be part of the Sept. 11 hearing, Olson said.

As for the question’s wording on the ballot, the ORC’s draft report states, “Repeal ... would be a straightforward affair (and) read something to the effect of ‘Shall the Town repeal Section 10, the Historic Preservation Ordinance.’”

Also Monday, the ORC made plans to get back to work on a possible no smoking ordinance. Olson planned to invite Police Chief Jeff Lange and Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Thompson to give their input at the panel’s Sept. 25 meeting.