MINOT — Town Administrator Danielle Loring told selectmen Monday night that a new Addressing Ordinance is needed because some residents have picked their own house numbers.

Loring said while 90 percent of property owners are in compliance with 911 address rules, some have selected their own numbers.

“Some people kind of threw numbers out there and now that means we have to go out and fix it and in order to fix it we need the authority to do so,” Loring said. “The Addressing Ordinance would outline what our criteria is, what we consider the center of town, where all the numbers originate from, what direction they go in and what is the penalty for not following the ordinance.”

According to state law, “The purpose of this ordinance is to enhance the easy and rapid location of structures by law enforcement, fire, rescue, and emergency medical services personnel in the municipality.”

Maine 911 Emergency Services Communication Bureau also recommends that communities adopt an Addressing Ordinance that clearly defines the local standards.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Stephen French said several years ago town streets and road were “delineated” with numbers but not enforced when buildings were built.

The penalty of not adhering to the ordinance would be not receiving a certificate of occupancy.

The ordinance must be reviewed by the Planning Board, Loring said, and sent to selectmen for approval. A town public hearing is also required.

In other matters, selectmen:

• Approved Scott McElravy of Hebron a part-time code enforcement officer and must get his certification within the year;

• Accepted a bid from Peter Hemond Excavating Inc. of Minot to provide winter sand; and

• Heard from French that the Maine State Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory assured the water at Minot Consolidated School met lead-free standards.