The Wiscasset Police Department is implementing “child safety zones” at all schools in town, both public and private. The action follows the April 13 arrest of a convicted sex offender at a music recital at Wiscasset Middle High School.

A recent press release from the department stated Andrew Seddon, 37, of Wiscasset was arrested on charges including being in a child safe zone and violating his conditions of release.

Police Chief Jeffrey Lange told selectmen Tuesday night, the signs will be posted 1,000 feet from school property in accordance with state statutes stating these areas were “sex offender restricted zones.”

“The signs must be clearly recognizable and visible,” said Lange. He said binders containing photographs of sex offenders and other pertinent information had been provided to school officials along with a web link. Signs will be placed outside Wiscasset Elementary School, WMHS, Sheepscot Valley Children’s House, Chewonki Foundation and Wiscasset Christian Academy.

State statutes also permit “safe zones” around playgrounds, athletic fields and other areas frequented by minors. Lange said he planned to have signs posted outside Wiscasset Community Center and at the Community Playground behind the superintendent of school’s office.

Also Tuesday, selectmen cancelled plans for a May 9 public hearing on the Wiscasset Historic Preservation Commission. The board instead voted unanimously to begin a process to consider repeal of the historic preservation ordinance. The board referred its request to the commission and the Ordinance Review Committee.

Commission member Susan Blagden asked selectmen for clarification of their motion. Tow attorney Shana Mueller of Bernstein Shur responded, amending or repealing the ordinance would have to follow the same process as when it was enacted — requiring public hearings and a town vote. Blagden said ordinance changes were usually voted on at the June town election. The warrant for this year’s has already been posted. Selectmen offered no indication when they hoped to bring the matter to a town vote.

After the meeting, Selectman Jeff Slack told the Wiscasset Newspaper the soonest the ordinance could be repealed would be 90 days. “We essentially have to go through the same procedure as when it was enacted,” he said. The ordinance voters passed in 2015 included the appointment of a five-member commission by selectmen. The commission is charged with upholding the ordinance requiring a “certificate of appropriateness” for projects in the historic district.

Tuesday’s public hearings on a proposed disorderly house ordinance and proposed amendments to the animal control and shellfish conservation ordinances drew no comments. The town votes on the proposals June 13. The proposed change to the animal control ordinance pertains to dogs and cats picked up by the animal control officer. If they are found to be in need of a rabies vaccine, the owner will be required to have their pet vaccinated within 10 days.

Selectmen will consider increasing shellfish license fees at their next meeting. Commercial licenses would rise to $175 for residents and $325 for non-residents. Resident recreation licenses would be $20, and non-resident recreation licenses, $35, if the changes are approved.

A town meeting to review the proposed 2017-18 school budget will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, May 15 in the WMHS gymnasium. Selectmen approved pier vendor permits for Mali Mrozinski and Jordan Gehman, dba Doublet Design, and Alvah Maloney, dba Maine Kayak, Inc. The board opened three bids for a maintenance evaluation of the sewer treatment plant. The treatment plant supervisor and town manager will review the bids before the contract is awarded.

Selectmen began the evening with an executive session with their attorney under a state law allowing the closed-door sessions for pending or contemplated litigation. No action was taken when selectmen called their regular meeting to order.