Searsport

Two articles relating to the town’s comprehensive plan were passed over by voters at Searsport’s annual town meeting Saturday because hearings had not been held in advance.

An article that would have rescinded an earlier town vote in which the comprehensive plan was adopted was passed over – meaning no vote was taken – after some debate. Town officials explained that a vote on the question would not pass legal muster because no public hearing had been held for residents to ask questions and make suggestions.

Similarly, an article that put a question before residents about minimum lot acreage and road frontage standards in a rural district also was passed over.

An article that sought to rescind an earlier town meeting vote mandating that the completed zoning portion of the comprehensive plan be considered only at an annual town meeting was defeated by a handful of votes. The article was placed on the warrant by the comprehensive planning committee.

Committee Chairwoman Phyllis Sommer had argued that since the document would probably be completed in the next two months, the town would do well to adopt it in June, rather than wait until next March.

“It leaves us exposed to development we can’t control at all,” Sommer said Monday.

Brooks

First-ever building notification and rental-housing standards ordinances were adopted by close votes at the Brooks annual town meeting Saturday.

In elections, incumbent Selectman Ben Lufkin won re-election over planning board Chairman Duke Simoneau, 68-37.

The building notification ordinance requires anyone changing the footprint of a house or adding 400 square feet or more of total living area to notify the town office of the work. A permit would not be required, but the process is supposed to help ensure compatibility with state standards, such as shoreland zoning rules and state Department of Transportation line-of-sight rules.

The ordinance is also designed to help the town keep track of new valuation to keep property taxes equitable.

The ordinance carried in a 44-37 written ballot.

The rental-housing standards ordinance was adopted in a 41-37 vote.

A portion of the ordinance that would have required rental-property owners to pay an annual $50 fee to defray the cost of inspections was amended to $10. The ordinance requires the town’s 108 rental-housing units to meet “decent, safe and sanitary” standards.

Rental-property owners have six months to come into compliance.

Both ordinances were proposed in the town’s first comprehensive plan, adopted January 2004.

Searsmont

Challenger Paul Pearse was elected selectman at the annual Searsmont town meeting Saturday, defeating Carrie Boland and incumbent Kathy Anderson.

Pearse landed 60 votes, Anderson received 29, and Boland got five votes. The seat carries a three-year term.

Donna Rae Warren was elected assessor with 48 votes, defeating Carrie Boland with 14 votes.

Elected to three-year terms on the planning board were Catherine Gilmer and Evelyn DeFrees, and elected to a one-year term was Wayne Thomas.

Jane Russo and Carol Robbins were elected to the library board from a field of six candidates.