OWLS HEAD, Maine — Residents debated the community’s maritime heritage versus protection of residential neighborhoods before narrowly approving a zone change sought by the owner of a longtime boat repair shop.
Residents voted 37-34 Monday night for the change that will allow Eugene Scalzo to expand his boat shop on Ash Point Drive.
Owls Head townspeople also unanimously agreed to change the fire department from a private nonprofit entity to an organization under the direct control of the town. The move had been requested by the fire department.
Residents also overwhelmingly and swiftly approved the 2016-2017 municipal budget and elected town officials during Monday’s annual town meeting.
It was the final article on the town meeting warrant, however, a request to create a commercial zone on Ash Point Drive, that generated the most debate. Scalzo, who bought the property in 1999 and opened a small boat repair shop, asked for the zone change
Scalzo said that during the past 17 years town code officers have allowed him to operate in the residential zone. He said he has been told that if he wants to add a building where individual boat owners could store their boats to make repairs themselves, he would need the zone change.
In addition, Scalzo said, if he wanted to sell his property, the next owner might not be able to continue the business at the location without the zone change.
The request was met with mixed reaction.
Wayne Meserve was concerned that the property was located near the center of the residential Ash Point neighborhood.
Ken Wexler warned the town about approving the article.
“This opens ourselves to tremendous changes that will allow nonresidential uses to operate in residential areas,” Wexler said.
John Hufnagel, who chairs the town’s ordinance review committee, said the members were in agreement that there should not be more commercial operations in residential zones. He praised Scalzo but said that what the businessman plans goes beyond a home occupation.
William Leppanen suggested that concerns about commercial intrusion into residential areas were exaggerated.
“I have lived in town for 45 years and haven’t seen many businesses beating down our doors to come here,” Leppanen said.
The property is located across from the edge of the Knox County Regional Airport. Only three acres of Scalzo’s approximately 14-acre property will be rezoned commercial.
Ed Glover, a lobsterman and real estate agent, said the property was a good location for a boat repair shop. He said a septic system cannot be placed on the property, which limits its use for other commercial activities.
“Owls Head should embrace this,” said Glover, who previously described Owls Head as a lobstering community.
Townspeople also gave their support to making the fire department a municipal department.
Fire Chief Frank Ross previously pointed out that members of the Owls Head Volunteer Fire Company approached the selectmen for the change. The company, founded in 1959, has been operated as a private nonprofit corporation run by a seven-member board of directors. Those directors include four firefighters and three selectmen.
Selectmen said this new system will be more modern and efficient, pointing out that firefighters who are under the chief’s command also get to elect the chief.
The nonprofit corporation would continue to operate but only to raise money for fire equipment, the chief said.
Residents also approved a $1,051,076 municipal budget for 2016-2017, representing about a 6 percent decrease from the current budget, largely because of a $40,000 reduction in the public works account. The largest accounts in the budget are $521,914 for public works, $267,808 for general government and $250,604 for public safety.
Selectman Linda Post was re-elected without opposition. Following the annual town meeting, the three board members elected former Courier-Gazette sports and entertainment editor Tom Von Malder as its chairman for the year.