Town of Cranberry Isles
Public Hearing
Vehicle Waste Disposal Fee Ordinance
27 July 2006
Great Cranberry Island Community Center

Call To Order:  4:00 PM by Chairman Phil Whitney

Town Official Attendance:
Phil Whitney, Selectman
Dan Lief, Selectman
Nanette Hadlock, Deputy Clerk
Cyrus Moulton, Island Institute

The hearing was also attended by approximately four G.C.I. Residents.

Purpose:  The purpose of this public hearing is to discuss the Vehicle Waste Disposal Fee Ordinance, which was approved by voters at the Annual Town Meeting in March of 2004.

A petition from property owners of the Town of Cranberry Isles has been received, asking the Board of Selectmen to bring the vehicle importation ordinance back to the voters of the Town of Cranberry Isles, to ask that the ordinance be revoked. This is the second petition received, however the first petition was not deemed legal. The petition being discussed at this meeting is deemed legal. A Special Town Meeting has been called for Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 9:00 A.M. at the Islesford Neighborhood House.

The purpose of the proposed alternative ordinance is to discourage the importation of vehicles to the islands (particularly old junk cars and trucks) and to encourage the use of alternative means of transportation. This ordinance will not apply to electric vehicles, golf carts, ATVs or other small, environmentally-friendly vehicles.

The proposed terms of the alternative ordinance are as follows:

• Year Round Households:  Under this ordinance, each year round household will be entitled to have one vehicle on the islands exempt from any importation fee. Any additional vehicles will be required to display a $150.00 importation sticker.
  
  

  For the purpose of this ordinance:
  i. "Year round" residency will be determined using the criteria set forth by the State of Maine to determine eligibility for the Homestead Exemption.
  
  ii. A "household" will be defined as any individual or family unit (i.e. a couple, with or without children) occupying a single residence in the Town of Cranberry Isles. Under this ordinance families with multiple drivers living under a single roof will only be entitled to one exempt vehicle.

• Seasonal Households:  Any vehicles already on the islands or brought to the islands by seasonal residents will be required to display a $150.00 importation sticker.
  
  
• Vendors:  Businesses serving the Cranberry Isles will be entitled to have one vehicle on each island free of charge. Any additional vendor vehicles will be required to display a $150.00 importation sticker.

Selectman Lief explains to hearing participants that there are basically three options as a result of the petition:

1. No ordinance at all for vehicle importation.
   This would be if voters decide to revoke the ordinance at the Special Town Meeting.
2. The existing ordinance.
   This would be if voters decide not to revoke the ordinance at the Special Town Meeting.
3. The alternative ordinance.
   This would be a result of the existing ordinance being revoked, and the voters deciding to adopt the alternative ordinance.

Hearing participants agree that enforcement of any ordinances is a real issue for the Town. We rely on volunteers and part time employees. Some participants feel the Town should get enforcement of existing ordinances under control, before passing any other ordinances.

Too many vehicles on Great Cranberry Island do not appear to be an issue.

Overall, residents at G.C.I. do not feel there is a parking issue at the Town Dock as far as available space, but do feel the vendor vehicles are taking up space that could be used by others.

Adjournment:  4:45 P.M.

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