The time will soon return when Damariscotta has to talk about adult entertainment.

The next time will be Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. during a board of selectmen meeting, when the board sets a date for a public meeting.

The six-month moratorium on adult-themed entertainment stores in Damariscotta is nearing its end, and on Wednesday, the select board will decide on a date to have the public meeting to enact a new ordinance. Town Manager Matt Lutkus in his meeting notes suggested having the special town meeting March 18 following the regular select board meeting. That meeting would also include articles on the proposed shellfish and harbor management ordinances.

To comply with town ordinances, there would be public hearings on Feb. 21 and March 4 to discuss the proposed ordinances.

The adult entertainment moratorium was brought forth in the fall of 2014 after a prospective store owner inquired about available properties, but did not go any further than that. Damariscotta did not have an ordinance on the books regarding adult entertainment and put a moratorium in place to give the town and its attorney time to draft an ordinance. Shortly after Damariscotta put the moratorium in place, Newcastle followed suit.

Towns cannot ban adult entertainment shops, but they can regulate where they are located within town limits.

The meeting is open to the public and held at 5 p.m. at the town office on School Street.