Wiscasset will join a growing list of Maine communities that will consider a moratorium on marijuana-related businesses.

Selectmen voted 3-1, Selectman Ben Rines Jr. dissenting, to call a special town meeting to consider a six-month moratorium on marijuana-related cultivation facilities, retail establishments and social clubs. A date for the meeting was not set but Town Manager Marian Anderson said the meeting would likely be scheduled in February.

The motion by Selectman David Cherry came at the close of Tuesday night’s meeting and drew a quick second but little discussion. Cherry said the moratorium would allow time to ensure the town’s zoning and other ordinances are in line with regulations to be determined at the state level.

“I think you are worrying about nothing,” Rines commented in response. Rines noted the town had supported legalization of recreational marijuana use at the Nov. 8 election. Wiscasset voted 1,117 to 1,095 in favor of Question 1.

In a Jan. 3 memo to selectmen, Town Planner Ben Averill stated town ordinances don’t address marijuana-related businesses. “Most likely it would fall under light industrial or retail use, however, clarification is needed to determine the correct definition,” he wrote. Changes to town ordinances would follow the usual process, going through the Ordinance Review Committee, planning board and include public hearings, he added. The changes would go to the townspeople for final approval.

Averill attached a marijuana moratorium ordinance drafted by the Maine Municipal Association for selectmen to consider. The state referendum that passed in November allows adults 21 and older to possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and grow their own plants, and allows for the establishment of retail stores and social clubs.

Audit finalized

Chris Bachman of RHR Smith of Buxton told selectmen the 2015/2016 town audit was finished. “We closed our books in June. Is it normal to have to wait this long,” Chairman Judy Colby asked.

Wiscasset was unique in that it had a lot going on financially over the past year, explained Bachman. He gave the withdrawal from Regional School Unit 12 two years ago as an example. “We were ready to present in December but were pushed back by you until January,” he said. Bachman will return to review the audit in greater detail with selectmen and the budget committee on Monday, Jan. 9 at 5 p.m.

EMS Director Toby Martin said the ambulance department had $28,683 in overdue accounts. Martin said the department’s billing agency has tried but had little success in collecting these. Some accounts are 10 months overdue, he added. “We don’t want anyone to feel they can’t call an ambulance because they can’t afford it,” Martin said, adding that people could always arrange a payment plan or consider joining the ambulance department’s subscription service.

Selectman Jeff Slack noted those in need of help paying their bill could apply for financial assistance. Selectmen authorized Martin to refer the overdue accounts to a collection agency.

On the recommendation of the Shellfish Committee, selectmen approved a six-month conservation closure of Cushman Cove to clam harvesting. The area includes all the flats inside Cushman Cove, south of a boundary line starting from the northernmost point of land at Cushman Point and running in a north-northwesternly direction across the cove mouth to a point of land on the opposite shore. The closure was approved by the Maine Department of Marine Resources and remains in effect through June 1. The flats at Polly Clark Cove, closed since June 2015, will reopen to clam harvesting June 30.

Jackie Lowell of Federal Street was reappointed to the Planning Board and Ordinance Review Committee. Ellin Jasmin has been approved as a Certified Tax Collector and Treasurer. Teresa and Peter Fogg of Two Bridge Road sent a letter to the town office thanking the Public Works crew for removing a downed tree.