Summer Council Committee Updates

Summer Council Committee Updates

By Bill Donovan, Town Council

The Town Council’s Ordinance Committee met last week to take up several issues that have been undergoing study in recent times.

At its previous meeting the Ordinance Committee had voted to postpone until December further consideration of the Community Services Advisory Board's proposed amendments to the Animal Control Ordinance. This deferral of further action stemmed from public confusion over what was specifically being proposed by the board. 

After consultation with other Town Councilors, the Ordinance Committee voted to set aside the Community Services draft before them and start the process anew. It was felt that further data and information gathering was in order, as well as the identification of those issues around which there is a strong consensus of support.

A second issue taken up by the Ordinance Committee at its July 9 meeting involved consideration of a Short Term Rental Ordinance, which proposed regulating residential short term rentals (STRs). Scarborough, being a popular destination spot with its beaches, trails, and amenities, has a considerable number of STRs. The hearing drew a large crowd and the Committee received very good public input on the issues involved. The result was that the Ordinance Committee voted to consider a more focused approach than presented in the draft before them. The Committee asked the Town Planner to develop a draft ordinance that would allow the Town to specifically identify STRs, and create a database that can be useful in a number of ways and, in particular, for public safety. The Committee expects to take up any new proposal by this fall.

The Appointments Committee also met last week to act upon applications to fill vacancies on three Town Committees: the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and Scarborough Housing Alliance. The Town Council wishes to express its appreciation to all of our citizens who volunteer their time to help make Scarborough a special place to live. If you would enjoy being more active in our community serving on a committee of interest to you would be a great way to become more involved.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Scarborough Town Council.