Edgecomb’s ordinance committee on Jan. 3 discussed retail sales of marijuana.

David Nutt opened the conversation saying articles should be on the warrant at the annual town meeting on Saturday, May 18. “There should be four separate items on the warrant,” the committee chair said. “These should be for retail sales, cultivation, testing and growing.”

Fellow committee member Rebecca Graham advised, the town may not be able to regulate cultivation or, if so, regulation might only be possible by the amount. Discussion followed among the committee members concerning whether to keep the four items as separate articles or combine them into one, but it was generally agreed to keep the items separate.

Nutt asked fellow members if they wanted to define where the town would permit the retail sales. Some members proposed limiting the location in the same way adult entertainment is limited by town ordinance.

Skip White proposed one of the articles ask “Does the town want to allow retail sales of marijuana?” with implementation after a “yes” vote delayed until June 2020.

Graham mentioned Maine’s Right-to-Farm law and said if it covers marijuana, the town couldn’t vote against growing marijuana.

According to information from the Maine Farm Bureau at https://www.mainefarmbureau.us/resources/faqs/) ,  “Under Maine’s Right-to-Farm Law, a farm may not be considered a public or private nuisance if the farm alleged to be a nuisance conforms to Best Management Practices as determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.”

As a result, the committee members agreed only three articles were needed. Those are on marijuana retail sales, cultivation and testing.

They also suggested the articles be placed early on the warrant so people who couldn’t stay for the entire meeting could vote on them.

Also Jan. 3, Selectman Mike Smith asked the committee about water in driveways spilling into roads and freezing, creating a safety hazard. Smith particularly noted Cross Point Road as an area where this has been a problem. He asked if there were town ordinances dealing with the issue.

“We want to know if there is anything that the town should do. We’re looking for direction,” Smith said on selectmen’s behalf. “We know the town isn’t bearing the responsibility but the town has to have a voice in order to enforce this.”

Nutt asked if the problem was caused by blowing snow. Smith replied it was caused by drainage issues which were the homeowner’s responsibility. White believed something should be put in the town’s ordinances that concerned drainage from residences. Graham added that under the town’s definitions, the drainage might be considered flooding.

Committee members felt there is no definitive answer yet. Smith said he would check with Lincoln  County Sheriff Todd Brackett  to see if there is a state law concerning the issue and the ordinance committee members agreed they will also look into the question.

The committee meets next at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at the town office.