WILTON — Selectmen will hold public hearings on four new ordinances at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at the town office.

Townspeople will vote on the ordinances at the June 10 annual town meeting.

The Ordinance Committee has completed a final draft of ordinances for building and property maintenance, fireworks and disorderly properties. The Recycling Committee updated the solid waste management/recycling ordinance, Town Manager Rhonda Irish said.

Voters at last year’s meeting requested an ordinance to cover building and property maintenance issues, especially those addressing safety, she said.

The Ordinance Committee looked at other town ordinances and have developed one for the downtown village, commercial and residential I zones in Wilton and East Wilton, which is not as restrictive, she said.

The building and property maintenance ordinance sets a minimum standard for the condition and maintenance of all building exteriors, structures and surrounding premises.

The ordinance was developed to protect the economic well-being of the town. Its intent is “to require property owners to maintain their properties in good repair in order to preserve the community’s safety and welfare,” the ordinance states.

For those found in violation, there is an appeals process before the selectmen.

Some are considering the development of a group to help those cited with work like painting or cleaning, she said.

A selectman requested the disorderly property ordinance to help eliminate repeat calls by police to some residences. The purpose of the law is “to protect the protect the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the Town of Wilton by eliminating the proliferation of residences harboring occupants who disturb the peace and tranquility of their neighborhoods,” the document states.

The Police Advisory Committee has also worked on the ordinance, putting a property owner in violation if police are called to a property four or more times within 30 days, she said.

The owner is notified when the property becomes a disorderly property and is required to meet with town officials in order to agree on a plan to address the issues. They can also face fines for police responses.

A consumer fireworks ordinance revolves around fire class days, which is similar to obtaining fire permits, Irish said.

It limits fireworks in the downtown and residential 1 zone surrounding the downtown, where houses are closer together. 

The ordinance limits the use of fireworks to Class 1 and 2  fire danger days, as determined by the Maine Forest Service. A Class 3 day, one of high fire danger, requires residents to obtain a permit from the Wilton Fire Department. No fireworks are allowed on Class 4 and 5 days.

The ordinance calls for penalties of no less than $200 and no more than $500 for each day of  violation.

The proposed recycling ordinance includes updates to recycling practices, Irish said.  The town adopted single-sort recycling at the beginning of the year.

The ordinance continues the Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee, encourages recycling and establishes fees for wastes that are difficult or expensive to recycle or dispose of.

Copies of the four ordinances are available on the town’s website or at the town office.

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