Oxford Board of Selectmen

December 7, 2017

Oxford Town Office

Retail Pot Moratorium

What happened: The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to set a special town meeting for Jan. 4 when voters will consider a plan to adopt a 180-day moratorium on operations related to retail marijuana establishments after concern was expressed by residents and officials about the establishment of retail marijuana-related facilities in Oxford.

What it means: An ad hoc committee has been meeting for several months to determine how to deal with the retail marijuana issue. In late November, the committee agreed to develop an ordinance prohibiting retail marijuana establishments in town for 180 days and to bring it to a town vote.

What’s next: The moratorium would prohibit any town official or employee to accept, process or act on any application, including but not limited to a license, building permit, certificate of occupancy, site plan review, conditional use, or any other approval, for the establishment or operation of a business or operation of a retail marijuana establishment and/or retail marijuana social club. The moratorium will give town officials time to determine what permanent steps they may wish to take. The moratorium could be extended, if necessary.

Budget Committee

What happened: Selectmen voted unanimously to appoint Peter D. Cushman to the Budget Committee.

What it means: Beginning in April, Cushman will serve with other members of the board to review the FY 2019 budget.

What’s next: Board Chairman Peter Laverdiere said the 11-member Budget Committee still needs four more members. Interested volunteers are asked to see Town Clerk Beth Olsen for an application.

OBSA recognized

What happened: Selectmen recognized the volunteer efforts of the Oxford Baseball Softball Association.

What it means: The association was recognized with a citation for its efforts to raise money for the program, operate the Snack Shack, improve and maintain facilities and other efforts. “Your efforts did not go unnoticed,” said Laverdiere, who described the volunteers as people who practice compassion and self-sacrifice.

Donations accepted

What happened: Selectmen voted unanimously to accept a $100 donation from Butch and Lauren Asselin and a $100 donation from Peter and Beverly Laverdiere, both in memory of Karen Tibbetts, the recently deceased wife of Police Chief Jon Tibbetts. Selectmen also accepted a $150 donation from Bernard and Joyce Reiner for Keep Oxford Warm.

What it means: The donations made in memory of Karen Tibbetts will be used by Oxford Fire and Rescue.

Money transfers

What happened: Selectmen agreed to transfer $39,560 from the Reserve Fund for the partial roof replacement at the Public Safety Building and to approve the transfer of $20,650 from the Reserve Fund to relocate the base radio system.

What it means: The base radio station will be relocated from the old water tower to the Hampton Inn roof to provide a stronger signal, said Fire Chief Gary Sacco. A second system exists in the north section of town. The transmitter receiver will connect to the stronger of the two signals at the time of use.

ldixon@sunmediagroup.net