Edgecomb’s ordinance review committee focused Oct. 17 on a new state shoreland zoning requirement for a photographic record of land development.

Signed into law in April, HP 406 made three amendments to shoreland rules. Two require providing advanced training in technical and legal aspects for code enforcement officers, and increasing maximum penalties for violations. The third, and the topic for the ORC, mandated that the application process for development within the shoreland zone include pre-construction photographs of the shoreline vegetation and development site and post-construction photographs submitted no later than 20 days after completion of the work.

Discussion among committee members included concerns about updating the town ordinances to comply with the law. Skip White asked, “How do you verify that the photograph is actually post-construction?” Other members felt the town’s code enforcement officer (CEO) would be monitoring the work and be able to identify work that was done.

Chair David Nutt asked when the town should begin to require the photos. Member Rebecca Graham replied, it is currently state law.

Discussion followed about the process for adopting the new requirement. Members agreed the wording would be proposed by the committee but a vote by the town would be needed for approval. Committee members also agreed enforcement and followup would be the CEO’s responsibility.

Committee secretary Jackie Lowell will draft wording to review at the next meeting.