The Coastal Senior College of Lincoln and Knox County Events Committee is collaborating with the Damariscotta Land Use Committee in holding a panel discussion and public forum on the draft of a proposed Historic District Ordinance for the town of Damariscotta, and the broader issues surrounding the need for such local ordinances, taking into account tax laws, interests of building owners or tenants and the general public, as well as the need for historic communities to adapt to sea level rise, traffic congestion and other challenges to the goals of restoration and preservation.

A summary of the draft Damariscotta ordinance and other materials will be made available at the program, which will be held at the Porter Room of the Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta, Maine on Thursday, March 8 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The program is free and open to the public.

We want to invite historic societies and people familiar with existing ordinances and policies in other communities in Midcoast Maine to participate and provide their insight into what is sound and reasonable policy for our communities in this challenging economic and environmental time.

As Max Page has noted, "Preservation is not simply about the past; it can be the foundation for building more just communities for the future." ("Beyond Pretty Buildings: How Historic Preservation Can Solve Social Ills," The Chronicle of Higher Education Chronicle Review, Jan. 8, 2017, http://www.chronicle.com/article/Beyond-Pretty-Buildings/238810)

Anyone who would like to participate, receive further information, or to receive a full PDF of the current draft proposed ordinance, is asked to contact Bruce L. Rockwood, events committee co-chair, at clan.rockwood@gmail.com