7574-R1_LGP_MechanicFalls_AnnualReport_2021_Text_4C_Web

CODE ENFORCEMENT Code Enforcement Greetings from the Code Enforcement Office. I’ve enjoyed meeting and talking to many of you this year. Although it’s been a strange year to come on board, I’m glad that our interactions have been productive, honorable, and guided by reason. Ordinances One of the most prominent issues I’ve discovered in my first year here is that the ordinances of the town, which are simply the local rules created by “you, the people” through the process of the Planning Board, and Town Council are not well known or easily assessable by everyone . This is a critical aspect of my job that has been extremely difficult for me, and I suspect difficult for citizens as well. Codification is the process of arranging laws or rules according to a system or plan. Funding to Codify and put into an electronic, easy to search and find format has been included in the coming years budget and we in the town office will be working diligently to make the town ordinances cohesive and easier to locate and understand in the coming months. In the meantime, if you have questions about the rules , please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me and ASK . There really are no bad questions and I’m happy to steer you in the right direction or help you understand our ordinances. Unfortunately, a citizen not knowing about an ordinance , doesn’t protect you from receiving a violation or a fine for not following the rules. I agree, THAT is unfortunate, so please, if you wonder if there is a rule you should be following, PLEASE ASK me . Marijuana The “flux” of the Maine State rules, definitions, and the industry of legal marijuana in general has been challenging. We’re doing our best to stay on top of it. I believe keeping our rules as simple as possible using the state rules as baseline for our ordinances is a good way to go. COVID If you didn’t know, I, as the safety officer for the town have been tasked by the state, with educating as the need arises, people and business about Covid -19 requirements . Diligence with covid precautions will help keep the spread down as we become immunized and develop heard immunity alongside the rest of the State. I personally have friends who have had a difficult time with Covid infection, so I know it’s important to stay vigilant and follow the best guidelines we have.

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