WASHINGTON — The people of Washington will consider two ordinance amendments when heading to the polls on Election Day this summer. 

The two ordinances possibly being amended this month are the mining and subdivision ordinances. 

Polls will be open Tuesday, June 11 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

A public hearing for both of the proposed amendments will be held Wednesday, May 29 at 7 p.m. in the Bryant Room at Gibbs Library before the weekly Selectmen’s meeting. 

The proposed amendment to the mining ordinance redefines the procedures and steps for annual compliance inspections. 

The proposed steps and procedures include: 

1. Each Calendar year, the Operator of any mineral extraction use must seek an Annual Compliance Inspection (“ACI”) from the Code Enforcement Officer.

2. Annual Compliance Inspections may only occur between June 1 and October 1 of each year.

3. Prior to performing the ACI, the Operator must pay the Annual Compliance Inspection Fee.

4. The Operator shall provide an updated sketch plan of the pit showing active extractions that are ongoing
or planned for the next twelve months and all reclaimed land.

5. Every five years, the Operator shall submit an updated site plan incorporating the current configuration of the pit and all reclaimed land as shown in prior sketch plans and a copy of any Notice to Comply filed with the State of Maine.

6. The Operator shall demonstrate that they are in compliance with the Mining Ordinance or with the State
standards if they have utilized State Permitting for their project.

7. The CEO shall provide to the Selectmen, Operator, and Site Owner a report within 30 days of the ACI outlining violations of this Ordinance.

8. Failure to obtain an ACI prior to October 1 of the calendar year in which the pit was operated may result in a stop work order and notice of violation.

9. Operating a pit after a notice of violation shall be a daily violation. Each daily violation shall be subject to all of the remedies described 30-A MRSA §4452.

For the subdivision ordinance, there are two proposed amendments to Article XI, General Standards being rolled into one ballot question. 

§11.4, point C, currently reads: “Lots with multiple frontages shall be avoided wherever possible. When lots do have frontage on two or more roads, the plan, and deed restrictions shall indicate vehicular access shall be located only on the less traveled way.”

§11.11, point A2, currently reads: “Where a lot has frontage on two or more roads, the access to the lot shall be provided to the lot across the frontage and to the road where there is lesser potential for traffic congestion and for hazards to traffic and pedestrians.”

The amendment calls for the following to serve as replacement text to both aspects: “Regarding primary vehicular access when property borders two town roads; least travelled road preferred entry unless waived by board for valid reason (interferes with utilities for example).”

Reach George Harvey at: sports@penbaypilot.com.