THOMASTON – Voters will elect a Select Board member and decide on changes to the town’s land use ordinance that include a new noise and vibration section and new definitions for assisted living and strip developments. An up or down vote will be taken on the RSU 14 school budget.

Voting at the polls takes place June 11 and the open Town Meeting takes place June 12. 

On June 11, voters will see a municipal ballot and Democratic and Republican party ballots for federal and state primary candidates. A Green Party ballot lists no candidates but allows a write in for U.S. Congress District 1.

On the municipal ballot, voters will mark their choice for one Select Board member, either Kimberly Matthews or Emily McBrayer. Douglas Erickson is unopposed for 1 seat on the Board of Assessors. The terms for Select Board and Assessor are three years. No candidates are listed on the ballot for the RSU 14 Board of Directors. Write ins are allowed for all positions. The polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On the Democratic primary ballot is David Allen Costello for U.S. Senate, Chellie Pingree for U.S. Representative District 1, Anne Beebe-Center for State Senator, District 12, and Ann Matlack for State Representative, District 43.

On the Republican primary ballot is Demi Kouzounas for U.S. Senate,  Andrew Piantidosi and Ronald Russell for U.S. Representative District 1, William Scott Rocknak for State Senator, District 12, and Heather Anne Sprague for State Representative, District 43.

The warrant for the June 12 open Town Meeting has not yet been posted on the town website, and is due to be posted at least seven days before the meeting. The meeting takes place at 6 p.m. in the Thomaston Municipal Building, Laura Libby Room.

At Town Meeting voters will discuss and decide on five items.

One item proposes changes to the Land Use Ordinance and Development Ordinance in the areas of conditional use, the Village Mixed Use District, Thomaston Green Park, noise and accessory units and other types of buildings.

Changes beef up the definitions of “conditional use” and add language guiding Planning Board approval of conditional uses. The Board would have to consider compatibility “ of the proposed use, compared with surrounding uses,” and “the potential impact on natural, historic and/or scenic resources.” A condition of granting conditional use is “modification of the size and compatibility of the structure or requirements of operation.”

A new paragraph added to the Village Mixed Use District replaces more fully describes how development must “accommodate and manage” pedestrian and vehicle movement, link with existing and future sidewalks, pathways, and local and state roads, and preserve “desirable sightlines, promenades, allee, and a sense of open, natural features of the land.”

New language changes the uses in the Village District public open space, currently known as Thomaston Green Park. The  language is: “it may be used for public recreation, agriculture, education, and conservation purposes and for public and private outdoor community events that conform to town guidelines.” The changes eliminate language that allows erecting “structures and buildings accessory to non-commercial recreation or conservation uses.” A list of permitted uses are deleted, then added to a list of Conditional uses (subject to Planning Board approval). These Conditional uses include: art gallery, assisted living, business and professional office and restaurants.

The existing noise and vibration ordinance has been significantly expanded. It sets decibel levels for noise in the different zones around town, between the hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

New definitions expand the size of accessory units that meet certain conditions, and define assisted living facilities, government uses and buildings, recreational activity, sprawl and strip development.

In addition to the zoning changes, a new disbursement ordinance would require a vote by the majority of municipal officers, either at an official meeting, or separately outside of a meeting, in order to authorize warrants and allow the treasurer to disburse money.

Minor changes to the Cemetery, Budget Committee and Conservation ordinances will also be up for votes at town meeting.

Specimen ballots and the text of all the items to be voted on at open Town Meeting are available on the Town of Thomaston website