TOWN OF DIXFIELD

WIND ENERGY FACILITY MORATORIUM ORDINANCE

DIXFIELD, MAINE

Adopted - Special Town Meeting - October 14, 2009

Section 1. Authority, Effective Date and Sunset Provision

A. Authority

1.          This Ordinance is adopted and hereafter amended pursuant to and consistent with Article VIII-A of the State of Maine Constitution and Title 30-A. M.R.S.A. Section 4356.

2.          This Ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the "Wind Energy Facility Moratorium Ordinance, Dixfield, Maine."

B. Effective Date

The effective date of this Ordinance shall be upon adoption by the legislative body.

C. Sunset Provision

This Ordinance shall automatically terminate 180 days from the date of its effective date adoption unless the Selectmen vote, after notice and hearing, to extend the moratorium for an additional 180-day period.

Section 2. Purpose and Necessity

A. Purpose

The Purpose of this Ordinance is to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of Dixfield by fostering orderly wind energy facility development. During the term of the moratorium the Town of Dixfield will determine the most appropriate methods to regulate wind energy facilities and prepare appropriate municipal ordinances to achieve such.

B. Necessity

While the Town of Dixfield developed its comprehensive plan in 2007 the town has no local land use regulatory ordinances that provide municipal review and approval for commercial development or industrial development. There is high interest wind energy facility development in adjoining and nearby towns. The topography of Dixfield is believed to be conducive to wind energy facility development. Without local regulations to address wind energy facility development, there exists the potential for serious public harm if such are developed.   Serious public harm includes but not limited to visual impact, noise, environmental degradation and health.                         

Section 3. Moratorium

After the effective date of this Ordinance no testing for the suitability for wind energy facilities and/or the development of wind energy facilities shall be allowed.

Section 4. Appeals and Severability

A. Appeals     

An aggrieved party may appeal the provisions of this Ordinance to Superior Court under Rule 80-B of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure.

B. Severability

Should any section or provision of this Ordinance be declared by any court to be invalid, such decision shall not invalidate any other section or provision.

Section 5. Definitions

Associated Facilities : Elements of a wind energy facility other than its generating facilities that are necessary to the proper operation and maintenance of the wind energy facility, including but not limited to buildings, access roads, generator lead lines and substations.

Generating Facilities : Wind turbines and electrical lines, not including generator lead lines, that are immediately associated with wind turbines.

Wind Energy Facility : A facility with a generating capacity of greater than 100 kW that uses one or more wind turbines to convert wind energy to electrical energy. A wind energy facility includes associated facilities and generating facilities.

Distinguished Citizen 2009
 

Montell "Bummy" Kennedy was chosen by the Dixfield Board of Selectmen as the 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Citizen Award.  He was presented with flowers, a plaque and check for $50 from Board Chair Bettina M. Martin at Dixfield's Annual Town Meeting of May 28, 2009. 
 
Ms. Martin happlily stated:
 
"The Distinguished Citizen Award is a way for the town to recognize one ctizen, among many, who has shown genuine concern for the town and its citizens and has also been actively involved in community affairs.  This year's recipient has certainly met the criteria.  Bummy has been involved in town affairs throughout the years by serving as a Selectman, Fireman for both Dixfield and Peru for 39 years, a former member of the Finance Committee, currently a member of the Water Advisory Committee and Dixfield's representative to the River Valley Growth Council.
 
In addition to municipal duties, Bummy has quietly served the community in many other ways.  Through the Church on the Hill he has been able to help many of our young and elderly.  He's worked on blood drives and fund-raising suppers.  He's been a member of the local Masonic Lodge for 20 years, a Shriner for 15 years as well as a member of the Buckfield Eastern Star, Treasurer of the Oxford County Shriner's Club and Ambassador to the Kora Shriners.
 
Bummy has worked for our school district for 21 years and prior to that at Stowell's and the Diamond for 19 years.  He's been a very active citizen of our community.  He's low-keyed--you hardly know he's there--but he is, and serving our citizens and town in one way or another.  We're very pleased to present this prestigious award with sincere gratitude."
 
 

Wanted:  Dixfield Town Reports
 
The Town of Dixfield and Ludden Memorial Library are seeking your help with completing their collection of Annual Town Reports.  The following reports are needed:
 
Ludden Memorial Library Needs:
 
6/30/2003
6/30/2004
 
Dixfield Town Office Needs:
1872 & Before
1876
1879
1884
2004
 
 
Sometimes people borrow the reports and do not return them.  So if you have any, please drop them off at the Dixfield Town Office (207-562-8151) or mail to Town of Dixfield, Town Report Collection, PO Box 808, Dixfield, ME 04224-0808.  Thank you!
 
 

Veterans Info

We have posted a list of veterans who are buried in Dixfield. The list contains the complete names of Dixfield Veterans from the Dunn, Eddy, Eustis, Holman, Science Hill and Severy Hill Cemeteries only; Greenwood and Riverside Cemeteries have not been completed.  Hopefully this will be accomplished by late fall.  If you should notice an error, discrepancy or omission, please contact the Dixfield Town Office at PO Box 808, Dixfield, ME 04224-0808 or email the Town Office Staff at charlottedeptreas@verizon.net.  We'll make every effort to correct the error or include someone we've missed.  Our goal is to compile the most accurate list of our Veterans as possible. To view list, click here.

Dixfield Historical Society launches new web site.
Click here to visit.