WEST BATH

West Bath on Monday became the latest town to adopt a moratorium on marijuana, following November’s state referendum.

The moratorium was among four articles approved by a few dozen residents at the special town meeting.

The 180-day marijuana moratorium drew no comments before it was unanimously approved. The moratorium was proposed in reaction to the Marijuana Legalization Act approved by Mainers on Nov. 8 and halts the approval and development of any proposed retail marijuana establishments or social clubs while the town works to develop ordinance changes to regulate the new uses.

Selectmen have the option to extend the moratorium another 180 days.

As the licensing authority, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has nine months to adopt rules for retail marijuana establishments and social clubs. The proposed House Bill 88, which would delay implementation of portions of the law for another year, was sent to the Joint Veterans And Legal Affairs Committee on Jan. 11.

Residents also approved appropriating $65,000 in proceeds from the recent sale of tax acquired property at 16 Whistlers Cove Road to allow for construction of a new salt and sand shed on Arthur J. Reno Sr. Road. The town had already raised and appropriated $370,000 at a prior town meeting. The total $435,000 project was proposed because the town found its current sand and salt shed is too small. Construction is projected to start in April and conclude in October.

Thomas Reno argued the town faces substantial costs for education and has an aging school needing investment, “and we’re about to put half a million dollars into a salt shed when the town already owns a salt shed big enough to house this.”

He said the building on Arthur J. Reno Sr. Road is rented to Pine Tree Waste.

Town Administrator Adam Garland said after the meeting that several years ago the town did a joint project with the state resulting in an older style sand and salt shed. As part of the town’s agreement with Pine Tree Waste, it leases this and another building to Pine Tree and as a result, the town gets a significant amount of revenue.

“We want a new building that’s more suited to our current needs,” Garland said

A new building will meet environmental standards as well, he said.

Residents also approved transferring $197,788 from the undesignated fund balance to cover an unanticipated jump in special education costs in the current fiscal year due to new special need students residing in town. The school unit has $261,817 in unexpended funds from the last fiscal year, which will be used to foot the bill.

The transfer of funds now needs be validated by voters at a referendum on Feb. 7.

West Bath School Administrative Unit Superintendent Emily Thompson said the school unit is required to pay for the special education services for students with disabilities, and the level of need is always a moving target.

The first article passed quickly and corrects an oversight. It authorizes the selectmen to be able to sell the access road as well as land located in the West Bath Wing Farm Business Park.

Selectmen were criticized by one resident for holding the special town meeting so early, at its regular 5:30 p.m. meeting time, and were asked to televise selectmen meetings. Garland said the town is looking into options as part of negotiations with Comcast.

Meeting moments

Residents also approved:

• APPROPRIATING $65,000 in proceeds from the sale of tax acquired property at 16 Whistlers Cove Road to allow for construction of a new salt and sand shed on Arthur J. Reno Sr. Road.

• TRANSFERRING $197,788 from the undesignated fund balance to cover an unanticipated jump in special education costs in the current fiscal year due to new special need students residing in town.

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