KENNEBUNK – People may weigh-in on an array of local matters at public hearings March 22 in advance of the annual town meeting scheduled for June 14.
The Kennebunk Select Board will hear comment on a proposed $13.7 million Public Services complex on Sea Road. The current facility is in poor condition and in serious need of an upgrade, according to Sebago Technics and Allied Engineering, which the town selected to lead the project assessment and design. According to municipal officials, the department has outgrown the existing building, has limited ventilation and mechanical systems, code compliance issues and there is insufficient space and site utilization due to a lack of building and equipment storage and parking, among other deficiencies.
Voters in 2017 approved a $2.7 million bond, issued in August 2021, with a 15-year payback. Finance Director Joel Downs said he foresees a 20-year payback for an additional $11 million bond, which voters will decide in June.
The select board will hear comment on a proposed zoning change that would include 9 Barnard, Lane in the Portland Road Mixed Use District – it is currently in the Village Residential Zone. The property, currently vacant, served as a tavern and inn for much of its existence, but was last a private residence. Owners Randy and Kari Gates plan to renovate the 1790s structure for an inn.
A public hearing on adding domestic partner insurance coverage for municipal employees will be conducted that evening. If approved, the coverage would become available in September.
The board will hear comment on a charter change from board of selectmen to select board. While most municipal documents may be simply amended to reflect this 2019 change, doing so in the charter requires a town vote, officials said.
A public hearing will be conducted for comment on a certified citizen-initiated petition from Tom Berry on “Resolution to Take Action on Climate Pollution,” that reads:
“To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to convey to Kennebunk’s state legislators, Members of Congress, Governor, and President of the United States that the town hereby calls upon our Federal elected representatives to enact carbon-pricing legislation to protect Maine from the costs and environmental risks of continued climate inaction. To protect households, we support Cash-Back Carbon Pricing that charges fossil fuel producers for their carbon pollution and rebates the money collected to all residents on an equal basis with monthly dividend checks.”
Agendas and formats for select board meetings are typically posted on the municipal website on Friday afternoons at https://www.kennebunkmaine.us/AgendaCenter/Select-Board-16.
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