TOWN OF SURRY, ME

MUNICIPAL REFERENDUM ELECTION FOR THE TOWN OF SURRY Election to be held June 20, 2023. Polls will be open 8am-8pm.

Article 1- Shall an ordinance entitled “Town of Surry Cannabis Ordinance” be enacted?

Explanation: The Surry Cannabis Ordinance provides land use and licensing regulations for adult use and medical cannabis businesses in Surry, putting into effect the 2020 referendum vote where the residents of Surry voted to allow for the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing, and sale of cannabis (marijuana) products in Surry; enacting the Town of Surry Cannabis Ordinance also includes necessary amendments to Chapter 2 (Definitions) and Chapter 3 (Land Use Table) of the Surry Code of Ordinances. 

Article 2- Shall the Town raise the Fire Department 23/24 budget by $32,000 for Operating Expenses?

The Select Board and the Finance Committee recommend a yes vote.

Explanation: The increase is required to ensure that all current firefighters have Personal Protective Equipment less than 10 years old to meet the requirements of NFPA 1851, Section 10.1.2, and to provide all firefighters with wild land Personal Protective Equipment; this would raise the total Fire Department Budget from $75,683 to $107,683

Article 3- Shall an ordinance entitled “Commercial Solar Energy Facilities Moratorium Ordinance” be enacted?

Explanation: The moratorium will provide time for the Planning Board and Select Board to develop a draft ordinance encoding performance standards for Commercial Solar Energy Facilities, hold public hearings and provide a final Ordinance for a vote by a Town referendum. ”Commercial Solar Energy Facility” is defined as a facility that uses one or more solar collectors to convert solar or photovoltaic energy to electrical energy and that is operated mainly for the purpose of generating electrical power for sale. The moratorium does not include a solar energy facility that generates energy for one or more residential, agricultural, or business uses on the property on which the facility is located.