City Council plans final vote on sex offender ordinance, appoints council leaders
OLD TOWN, Maine — The city council is expected to take a final vote later this month regarding a proposed ordinance that would prohibit registered sex offenders who have been convicted of felony-level sex crimes from living within 750 feet of areas that children frequent.
Some of those areas include schools, public parks, daycare and recreation centers.
There are seven registered sex offenders in Old Town, according to Deputy Police Chief Lee Miller, but the Maine Sex Offender Registry lists a total of nine offenders.
The state registry includes offenders who either live or work in Old Town.
By way of state law, cities and towns can elect to put restrictions on where registered sex offenders can live in areas that children frequent. According to this ruling, 750 feet is the maximum restricted distance municipalities can enforce.
Registered sex offenders who are already living in town and will be in violation of the new ordinance won’t be forced to move, Miller said in an earlier comment on the proposal. But if they decide to move after the ordinance is enacted, the restrictions will apply.
If offenders move to areas within less than 750 feet of children, therefore violating the ordinance, they will get a notice from the city informing them of the violation. If the city determines that registered sex offenders are still living in a restricted area, they could be fined a minimum of $500 per offense.
Incumbent councilmember Carol May, who also works at The Penobscot Times, signs her oath of office during the Old Town City Council meeting on Dec. 2. (Nina Mahaleris | The Penobscot Times)
They also face separate offenses for each day the registered offender remains in restricted areas after the initial warning.
The Dec. 16 meeting will be open for public comment and will take place at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Old Town City Hall.
During the meeting on Monday, Dec. 2, the council elected David Mahan as the city council president. Carol May, who also works at the Penobscot Times and was recently re-elected to another three-year term, was appointed to serve as vice president to the council.
Timothy Folster, a newcomer who unseated councilmember Janet Klitch in the November election, took his oath of office on Monday night with May. Moriah Geer and Kelly Hasselbrack, both members-elect to the RSU 34 school board, took their oaths of office as well.
The council announced a farewell presentation for outgoing councilmember Klitch, who was not at the meeting.
The council also voted to authorize the final purchase of the Maple Grove Cemetery for $3,800. According to City Manager Bill Mayo, the city has been trying to officially acquire the private land for the last three years after receiving an offer to buy it.