At the Nov. 2 Damariscotta Board of Selectmen meeting, the issue of how the town might enact Question 1, the marijuana legalization initiative arose. Chairman Robin Mayer proposed a six-month moratorium for licensing shops and other town-specific regulations while the Board of Selectmen hammered out some of the details.  While Mayer is not in favor of the referendum, she said the polls appeared to show the measure would pass by a comfortable margin. “We just need to get all our ducks in a row,” she said.

Selectman James Cosgrove said he saw the initiative as an opportunity.  “I think this is a way the town can bring in revenue.”

The board agreed to examine the idea of a moratorium at the next meeting, Nov. 16.

At the Nov. 2 meeting, the board also held a public hearing on a proposed bond measure to pay for several road improvement projects, purchase a new all-purpose tractor, and put some money toward waterfront public restrooms as part of a greater waterfront improvement plan. Another public hearing was held on a liquor and entertainment license for a new venue, The Penalty Box, where Romeo’s used to be.

The bond measure will be decided at a special town meeting on Nov. 16 at 5:30 p.m., before the regular select board meeting.

The board reminded citizens there would be limited services at the town office on Nov. 8, election day, and that the town office would be closed on Veterans’ Day, Friday, Nov. 11.

Finally, Damariscotta Police Chief Ronald Young appeared to discuss the trick or trunk event, which attracted more than 400 children on Halloween, and also asked permission to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Attorney General’s office regarding the use of Narcan by police officers to save people who are having overdoses from opiates. The AG’s office will provide the lifesaving drug for free, and Young said that all officers have been trained in its use. The board voted to allow the chief to sign the MOU.