KENNEBUNK, Maine — Voters gave the local noise ordinance more teeth and chose a new company to handle its waste and recycling during a special town meeting on Tuesday.
Looking to strengthen the town’s noise ordinance, voters approved Article 2 by a tally of 1,030 to 467, according to the unofficial results released by the Kennebunk town clerk’s office after the polls closed.
As a result, the ordinance will have some new language intended to provide local police officers with a better framework for handling the noise complaints they receive from residents and others.
A key phrase in the amended language will be “plainly audible,” words that are expected to help police officers and code officials determine excessive noise during situations when it may not be practical or effective to use a decibel meter. Such situations could include loud music, ATVs, and other noises that might not be normal in the neighborhood in which they are occurring.
The article’s passage also puts in place a call for private haulers to only pick up trash between the hours of 5 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Also, 8 p.m. will be the new starting hour for the ordinance’s nighttime standards. To date, that start time is 10 p.m.
As well, voters’ approval of Article 2 will add language to help the town suggest a third-party sound engineer to take decibel readings at the request of someone making a complaint, if a situation comes to that. The town will not be responsible for paying the engineer for their time.
The amendments also clarify penalties and how noise violations will be enforced in the Maine District Court.
From there, voters moved on to articles on the ballot pertained to the handling of local waste disposal and recycling.
With Articles 3 and 4, voters had a choice: should Kennebunk become one of Ecomaine’s “owner communities” and enter into a waste-handling contract with that Portland-based company? Or should Kennebunk stick with Casella Waste Systems, the company it has contracted with over the years?
Voters chose a new direction – as unanimously recommended by the Select Board – and picked Ecomaine, approving Article 3 with a count of 949 to 481.
In going with Ecomaine, voters rejected Article 4, asking if the town should stay with Casella, by a tally of 819 no votes to 401 yes ones.
Of note, 92 voters left their ballot blank on Article 3, and 302 did so on Article 4.
The town’s agreement with Ecomaine will cover solid waste disposal and recycling services for the town, effective July 1, for 30 years. Its current contract with Casella will expire on June 30.
The total cost for solid waste and recycling disposal with EcoMaine, beginning July 1, is estimated to be $395,470 through July 1, 2026.
Currently, solid waste disposal and recycling services in Kennebunk are funded through the town’s general fund and the “Pay-As-You-Throw” enterprise fund.
Last on the ballot, voters approved Article 5 by a vote of 1,150 to 300, authorizing the Select Board to choose a vendor to handle the actual collection and delivery of the town’s solid waste and recycling starting on July 1.
The town decided it needed to hold the special meeting on Tuesday because all three of its contracts related to trash disposal and recycling are set to expire on June 30. The contracts pertain to collection, hauling, and tipping fees for the disposal.
Once a new tipping fee agreement is finalized, the town will solicit bids for collection and transportation. The proposals to come out of that process will be on the ballot for the annual town meeting in June.
Also in June, voters will decide whether to continue the town’s pay-as-you-throw program, which calls for residents to purchase their own trash bags for disposing of their waste.