There are changes coming to Edgecomb's Ordinance Review Committee. One is the membership is expanding to include another public member and two planning board alternates. These additions will bring the committee number to nine, joining the five elected planning board members and one appointed public member.

 

The planning board changed its membership rules Aug. 6. Gary Gruber is the current public member of the ORC. Planning Board Chairman Rebecca Graham reported she received two requests from residents about joining the ORC. One was from Stuart Smith, chairman of the comprehensive planning committee. Graham said selectmen and comprehensive planning committee members are not eligible to join the ORC.

 

There will also be a time change for the ORC. In the past, the committee met prior to the planning board on the first and third Thursday of each month. Graham said the ORC will now meet after each planning board meeting. 

 

The planning board also elected new officers. Graham asked Phil Haas about assuming the chairman's role, but he wasn't sure. Instead, he agreed to serve as vice-chairman. Graham was re-elected as chairman. 

 

In other action, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts inquired about a permit for installing solar panels on its roof. The proposed panels are 3,465 square feet. Graham told the applicants they didn't need planning board approval for a permit because the proposal didn't meet size requirements for planning board approval. Instead, the center needs a permit from the code enforcement officer.

 

The planning board meets next at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20 in the conference room.