Thumbs down to Kennebunk selectmen for refusing to adopt a Property Assessed Clean Energy ordinance in time for voters to have a say on it in November. Even if the board and residents eventually do approve an ordinance, they may find that all the PACE money is gone by the time they can access it. This program, which distributes federal money for energy-saving improvements to homes at low interest rates, has gotten off to a rocky start, no doubt ”“ and selectmen are right to have concerns about the sparse details. However, they still could have agreed to put it on the ballot, let the details be worked out between now and then and let the voters decide, based on the final version. Instead, Kennebunk residents will not be able to access these loans until many other municipalities have had first crack at it. In Arundel, selectmen were also hesitant when approached about PACE recently, but that board has more time to decide whether or not to put it on the ballot. Hopefully, they will leave it up to the voters. This program is a good way for homeowners to inexpensively finance money-saving upgrades that they could not otherwise be able to afford.
Thumbs up to Dayton officials who are asking Regional School Unit 23 to review the district’s cost-sharing formula. The town had nine fewer students this year, yet had to pay about $2,100 more, which makes Dayton residents feel that they are subsidizing Old Orchard Beach and Saco. This has led to hard feelings and calls for Dayton to withdraw from the RSU. A review of the formula, even if it does not show that Dayton is being treated unfairly, is a worthwhile effort to avoid misunderstandings. And if it does seem unfair, the RSU can deal with it next year when the cost-sharing plan is up for renegotiation.
Thumbs up to the partnership of Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, McArthur Library and the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center in Biddeford, who are combining resources to help the unemployed find jobs. The center had opened a small career center a few years ago but are finding that the partnership will help them expand to offer more classes and more computers. With the Goodwill site on Route 111, the Seeds of Hope center downtown and computer training at the library, Biddeford residents should be able to find plenty of support with the difficult task of finding employment.
Thumbs down to Kennebunk for choosing to put a medical marijuana dispensary moratorium before voters in November ”“ and to the many other municipalities that have already instituted moratoriums. Last year, voters statewide approved the legalization of these dispensaries and towns already have land use ordinances that comprehensively regulate business. The state also has rules regulating location and security of marijuana dispensaries, which will be more secure than a much more tempting target for drug abusers ”“ pharmacies. The patients patronizing dispensaries will be no different, though perhaps more ill, than those who get their medications from conventional pharmacies. It should be clear that they will not be dispensing an illegal recreational drug, but a well-regulated herbal remedy for the sick.
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