On December 15th the Rangeley Selectmen, Planning Board and Town Attorney completed their comprehensive review of proposed zoning changes.  They have been meeting regularly over the last two months to analyze and improve proposed changes to Rangeley’s Zoning Ordinance i.e., Chapter 38.  Accessory dwelling units, mobile home parks and the Land Use Tables were some of the topics discussed in depth.  A “clean” rewritten version of Chapter 38 and a summary outlining the important changes will soon be made available to the public.  It is anticipated that several public hearings will be held to discuss the proposed changes prior to a vote at the June 2023 Town Meeting.
At 5:00pm on December 5, 2022, the Rangeley Selectmen held a public workshop on Short Term Rentals (STRs), prior to the 6:00pm start of their regularly scheduled meeting.  This was the second workshop held to discuss the Draft STR Ordinance the Selectmen received from the Town’s Ordinance Committee.  The workshop was well attended with more than a dozen members of the public present.
Quantifying the number of STRs and assessing both the positive and negative impacts that they have on the community is part of the policy making process.  To date definitions contained in the Draft Ordinance concerning owners, operators, STR registrations and minimum STR requirements have been discussed.  The Selectmen plan to continue holding public workshops on the STR Ordinance one hour prior to their regular meetings until they have reviewed the entire document.  Public input is welcome.
The Selectmen approved the request of the Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club (RLSC) to hold a Snodeo Casino Night on January 19, 2023 at Bald Mountain Camps from 6:00pm to 11:00pm.  The Selectmen also approved the prepayment of $59,506.68 for the Town Dock Project construction materials to Bald Mountain Diving.
Town Manager Joe Roach was authorized to sign the Maine Municipal Snowmobile Grant Application and to appoint RLSC President Lee Libby as the Project Director.  The grant application estimates that the cost of maintaining the 166 miles of trail will be $386,345.00.  The RLSC operates as a 501c(3) non-profit.
When asked if the RLSC financials were a public record Lee said that he would be happy to open the books to anyone who wanted to see them.  He would like people to be aware of the amount of money the Club fundraises in addition to the grants.  Lee stated his goal is to fill every barstool in Rangeley for sixteen weeks a year.
The Town Manager informed the Selectmen that recently hired Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) Jim Duggan has resigned and that the position has been advertised.  He expressed gratitude for part time Deputy CEO Karl Kolze, who has a full-time job as an electrical engineer, for continuing to help the Town with their code enforcement responsibilities.
Town Manager Joe Roach also reported that he has held interviews for the open position in Parks and Recreation and for a Director of Public Works.
The Transfer Station will be CLOSED on Saturday, December 24 but will reopen on Monday, December 26.
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
Best Wishes for a safe, healthy and enjoyable holiday season.