Kennebunkport voters will decide on a number of ballot questions Tuesday and on a proposed $5.8 million municipal budget at town meeting later in the week.
Residents will decide whether the town should buy five acres behind Parson's Field on School Street for $295,000. Voters have already appropriated the funds, but would need to give approval to the specific use.
There is no immediate use planned, but possibilities include expansion of the nearby wastewater treatment plant, a new elementary school and recreational uses. Kennebunkport does not own much vacant land, so this parcel would be banked for when it would be needed, said Town Manager Larry Mead.
Amendments to the shellfish conservation ordinance would prevent the warden from holding a commercial shellfish license and allow selectmen to set the harvest limits for commercial diggers rather than put the issue out to residents for a vote.
Proposed changes to the false alarm ordinance are largely clarifications. Amendments to the fire code ordinance would bring it up to date with current safety standards and reflect that the town has a single fire chief.
Amendments related to shoreland zoning in the land use ordinance would make the town compliant with state regulations.
An amendment in the form of a land use chapter substitution is being proposed to the comprehensive plan. While the whole chapter would be replaced, Mead characterized the substitution as "tweaking it" rather than substantive changes.
Residents will decide on the $5.8 million municipal budget on June 13. Expenses were cut 6.5 percent to help offset a $400,000 drop in projected revenue.
The property tax rate for the municipal portion of the budget would drop 1.3 percent. The combined rate for the town, schools and the county is expected to fall 2.5 percent.
The actual dollar figure for the new property tax rate would not be comparable to current rates because a revaluation will be implemented.
Staff Writer Ann S. Kim can be contacted at 791-6383 or at:
akim@pressherald.com
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