Waldoboro voters will be asked to approved four ordinances in the Nov. 5 election. Go to the provided links to read the ordinances on the Town of Waldoboro's website. A voter guide is also available.

The language of each ordinance was read and approved at the Sept. 9, 2024 Select Board meeting. 

Article 2 Fireworks Ordinance. 

Shall the Town vote to allow consumer fireworks to be used in the Town of
Waldoboro?

This article would repealed the current ordinance, which prohibits commercial fireworks, and reinstate the previous ordinance as approved in April 2012. No permit will be required. The ban was approved by voters at the town meeting in June 2020. 

At the July 7, 2024 Select Board Meeting, Board Chair Abden Simmons proposed the repeal, stating that many residents did not understand the question at the time of the 2020 vote.

Select Board Member Bob Butler said some Waldoboro residents are against fireworks and recommended drone displays as an alternative options with less noise and environmental impact. 

At the Sept. 9 Select Board meeting, resident Loretta Severson spoke in support of fireworks being allowed in Waldoboro, stating that America is a "nation of celebration" and that she was disappointed the ban prevented her from launching fireworks when her son returned from military service abroad. 

Article 3 Food Sovereignty Ordinance 

Shall the Town vote to adopt an ordinance entitled "Local Food and Community Self-Governance Ordinance" to enable the right to produce, process, sell, purchase and consume local foods thus promoting self-reliance, the preservation of family farms, and local food traditions? 

On May 28, 2024, resident Haley Carmichael presented the Select Board with an Ordinance request on Food Sovereignty to be placed on the November Ballot. Carmichael stated that this would allow small family farms the ability to retain local control over the food system. 

Various local towns have either adopted similar ordinances (Whitefield) or declined to put it forward to the voters (Union). 

Article 4 CPACE Clean Energy

Shall the Town of Waldoboro vote to adopt an ordinance entitled "The Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE)" Ordinance? 

If approved, this Ordinance allows commercial property owners to access additional financing to undertake energy efficiency and clean energy improvements on their buildings as passeed by the State Legislature in 2021 under LD 340. 

Article 5 Shellfish Ordinance update

Shall the Town vote to approve an amendment to the existing Shellfish Conservation Ordinance that was approved on June 13, 2023?

If approved, the following language will be added to the Shellfish Ordinance: 

A Commercial Digger must also have a valid State of Maine Commercial Shellfish License issued by the Department of Marine Resources. 

Towns with unlimited commercial or recreational license allocations shall make available and issue if applicable on the first day of license sales, to qualifying non-residents, no less then 10% of the total number of resident licenses issued in the previous year. Thereafter, non-resident licenses will be issued according to the 10% rule in accordance with 1 2 MRS 6671(3-A)(E) and (F).

If licenses remain unsold after the period of issuance, shall be made available to resident and non-residents alike on a first come, first serve basis or by lottery using an official, written list that is posted publically. Licenses unsold during th eperiod of issuance shall be issued for the ortiinal allocated fee in each category regardless of residency.