The town of Damariscotta held its town meeting on Wednesday, June 15 at Lincoln Theater at 6:30 p.m. After introductions of the town manager, Matt Lutkus, and the Board of Selectmen, Board Chairman Robin Mayer noted that James Hall had been honored in the town report, and announced that another citizen was being honored with an award called the Spirit of America award. The recipient was Richard McLean.

Jim Gallagher was elected moderator, and he announced the results from the election on Tuesday, June 14. Ronn Orenstein was elected to another three-year term as selectman, and Mark Hagar, local businessman, was elected to his first term as selectman.

Former selectman Josh Pinkham was elected to the school board, and Raymond McConnell was elected to the Sanitary District.

Both the secondary and Great Salt Bay school budgets passed, as did the validation process for each school.

Patti Whitten was elected to be Cemetery trustee, and Mary Trescot, Richard McLeaan, and Shari Sage were elected to the Budget Committee. No alternatives were elected, and no one volunteered, so while the board now has a quorum, alternatives may have to be appointed by the board of selectmen in the future.

In short order, the townspeople approved most of the warrant articles, from technical changes to zoning maps to corrections to the comprehensive plan.

It wasn’t until article 13, the sign ordinance, that there was any dissent at all.

One speaker wanted to amend the ordinance to change the ordinance with respect to the changeable digital signs, suggesting it be amended to have the signs turned off completely from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. or to specify lumens, rather than a percentage of the output. However, Gallagher was informed that it was not possible to amend the sign ordinance at town meeting because it would have required notice to be posted and a public hearing in advance of the town meeting.

Shari Sage spoke, and said that she knew how much work had gone into the sign ordinance. “I’m on the Planning Board,” she said. “We developed the ordinance, and I’m asking you to veto it.” She was very concerned about the people who have homes along the C2 corridor, many of whom had been there before the businesses moved in. “The light is intrusive, it affects circadian rhythm, not only for us but for animals too,” she said.

Several others also spoke about light pollution, and not being able to see the stars and planets. Others pointed out that people who lived in certain areas of the town were protected — the rural dwellers and those who live in the village aren’t exposed to the changeable digital signs. Only those who live in the commercial district are subjected to these particular signs.

After about 20 minutes of discussion, the vote was called, and the sign ordinance passed, 30-25. Town Planner Anthony Dater said that if people want to amend it in the future, it can be done through the planning board and public hearings, and an eventual special town meeting.

Funding for all government agencies passed, and also all small payments to public service agencies, but the vote for Central Lincoln County YMCA turned out to be very close, 24-23. Gallagher expressed surprise at the vote.

The town also gave approval to the board of selectmen to negotiate the lease of space in the municipal parking lot. This was a special and late edition to the town warrant, arising from the question of leasing space to a business for a dumpster which is now on a non-parking space in the lot. As a result of the warrant article’s approval, the board may end up leasing parking spaces for residential and business employee parking in the lot, which can be problematic in the summer months.