Is it time to tweak Wiscasset's ordinance review committee or end it? Selectmen Sept. 1 were set to consider sending one of those options to a November town vote. Town staff recommend the second one, according to Town Manager Dennis Simmons' report released ahead of the meeting.

The look at the ORC follows years of the committee's having trouble getting a quorum for a meeting, making it take longer to turn around its tasks of drafting ordinances or ordinance changes.

Documents in the selectboard's meeting packet show the tweak option as going from six members to no more than seven; a quorum reworded as a "simple majority"; and recommending instead of requiring the ORC's makeup, which would list three planning board members, two at-large members and either a comprehensive plan committee member or one to two more at-large members.

The second option eyed has been to discontinue the committee, by pulling it from the ordinance on town officials and leaving its tasks to town staff and the board. Town staff feel this option "would be more effective and efficient; therefore, we recommend asking the voters to approve (it)," Simmons wrote.

Karl Olson has long chaired the ORC and the planning board that reviews applications for compliance with town ordinances. Reached last week, he declined comment on the options the selectboard was eying for a town vote, except to agree the ORC's quorum should be a simple majority. 

Also Sept. 1, the selectboard was set to consider sending voters a proposed cost recovery ordinance in November involving some of the services the fire department provides. In a workshop Aug. 25, Chair Alissa Eason said, "(This) is not to be something viewed as punitive for using fire (department) services, etc., but more to allow insurance to pay ..." Selectmen emphasized, the ordinance would not apply to house fires.

As drafted, the cost recovery ordinance would only apply to hazardous material incidents; removal and disposal of hazardous waste discharges; vehicle or aircraft crashes, vehicle or aircraft fires; "water-related emergencies within a building"; "standby for utility lines in the roadway as a result of a motor vehicle crash"; and "the third and subsequent false fire and/or sprinkler alarm from the same physical location."

The draft states, "(If) the recipient has no insurance, or coverage for the services provided is denied by such insurance, the Town of Wiscasset may bill the recipient directly." As proposed, the fire department will not deny or withhold services from anyone for lack of insurance or refusal to pay.

If an insurance claim is denied or the user of those fire department services lacks insurance, the user, as proposed, can apply to the fire chief to seek a reduction in or forgiveness of the bill. "Upon a showing that payment of the full amount billed ... would cause an undue hardship, or substantial financial harm, the Fire Chief may make a recommendation to the Town Manager, who may reduce or otherwise forgive all or a portion of such a claim."

Look for results of the Sept. 1 meeting at wiscassetnewspaper.com and in the Sept. 10 print edition.

The Sept. 1 meeting at the town office starts at 6 p.m. The agenda at wiscasset.gov will have the Zoom link.