OGUNQUIT — Ogunquit voters approved all warrants on the 2014 election, including a town-wide pesticide ordinance, which makes the town the first in Maine to ban all pesticide use on both public and private property.
The pesticide ban will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015, giving the Ogunquit Conservation Commission time to educate the public about the ordinance’s enforcement.
This was the second year that the ordinance was on the ballot. It was narrowly defeated in 2013 by six votes. Ogunquit Town Clerk Christine Murphy said 38 percent of residents voted this year. The pesticide ordinance came down to 34 votes: 206-172, with 30 people abstaining.
“This year’s turnout was very positive,” said Michael C. Horn, chairman of the Ogunquit Conservation Commission. “It helped that the original article was amended to allow for a simpler appeals process. In addition, we’re giving landscapers and residents time to get educated and understand how we will be enforcing this.”
Horn said the town plans to host several educational workshops for the public in coming months.
Ogunquit also voted on two select board seats. Of the three candidates running, incumbent Barbara Dailey received the most votes with 266. She is currently chairwoman of the selectboard.
Newcomer, Gary LaTuillippe received 224 to win the seat vacated by Christopher Mathew Jarochym. Charlie LaFlamme received 194 votes, with 135 residents not voting on the select board seats.
— Tracey Collins can be contacted via the Journal Tribune, at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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