Life in Vacationland is grand. I hope you are enjoying our Town natural treasures and summer events with friends and family. In the meanwhile, the Council and Town staff are hard at work, tending to town matters and serving you.

Our Town Charter and Ordinances are the local equivalent of the U. S. Constitution. They are an operator’s manual and rule book for our municipal government. There is a wave of new and updated work in progress at various stages heading to Ordinance Committee — in some cases directly to the Town Council, for review and approval.

The Ad Hoc Charter Committee recommendations will go to the voters for approval on Nov. 8. The matters for deliberation include term limits, Town Council pay, increasing the voter approval for capital expenditures from $400,000 to $700,000, and June vs. October voting for Town Council and Board of Education members. The next step in this work will take place at the Wednesday, Aug. 17 Town Council meeting.

Our Ordinance work in progress ranges from new Ordinance Committee initiatives. Top priority work includes revisiting the Innkeepers Ordinance which has been challenged by a sudden wave of distinct groups of homeless seeking temporary shelter; adapting Maine Statute L.D. 2003 for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs); revisions to our Coastal Waters and Harbor Committee and
Shellfish Committee Ordinances, and many more. The next Ordinance Committee is on Thursday Aug. 18. Please take time to tune in and take an active part in the business of the town.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Scarborough Town Council.

Comments are not available on this story.