As Wiscasset’s ordinance review committee drafts a possible policy for permitting use of town-owned property, one use first eyed as sometimes OK may instead be barred.

Jackie Lowell told fellow members over Zoom Monday night, after they met earlier this month and eyed having the town consider bounce house requests case by case, she saw a news report about child deaths due to bounce houses. She suggested adding bounce houses to the list of barred items. And Chair Karl Olson said drugs should be, also.

The panel had no quorum Monday to move forward on the policy selectmen will consider. Selectmen sought it this fall after Parks and Recreation Director Duane Goud floated the idea of Wiscasset Community Center allowing alcohol at rental events with licensed vendors. Selectmen and Town Manager Dennis Simmons have said a written policy could make sure private users of town property know they are responsible for cleanup and any damage.

A pair of town surveys – the comprehensive plan committee’s plus the ORC’s marijuana one, remain open. Selectmen’s and Comprehensive Plan Committee Chair Sarah Whitfield, selectmen’s liaison to the ORC, has been working on the mailings; copies of the comp plan survey were put at the town office and copies of the marijuana one will be, she said. 

The ORC plans to meet next in January.