Town of Phillips

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

Here is the agenda for the evening.

The Select Board is holding a special town meeting on Wednesday, November 20 at 6 PM at the Phillips School.

 The warrant requests the authorization to transfer funds from surplus to the Fire Department Equipment fund for the purchase of a used Fire Engine truck. This to replace the engine that failed a frame inspection and was put out of service at the end of October. 

           ***IMMEDIATLY FOLLOWING THE SPECIAL TOWN                                                  MEETING**************

An information meeting will cover topics that are being discussed for an upcoming Special Town Meeting.

– Should the town choose to adopt the State Shoreland Chapter 1000 Ordinance? 

The Town of Phillips has a Shoreland Ordinance that is out of date. The process of updating the Zoning Ordinance which incorporates the Town’s Shoreland Zoning Ordinance has been in process for many years.  New and proposed legislation has presented challenges for the Planning Board on this update as well as lack of  board members.  The Select Board has discussed adopting the State Chapter 1000. There is an ease of use for loggers and contractors and property owners as some area towns and the surrounding townships use Chapter 1000 and the guidance is consistent. The Ordinance is automatically updated when there are legislative changes made and this means the town stays up to date without having to hold public meetings and special town meetings to stay up to date with current law. This information meeting is the beginning of a discussion with the town as to what is in the best interest of the Town.                                                                                            

 Shoreland Zoning, Bur. of Land & Water Quality, Maine Department of Environmental Protection  

-Should the town choose to allow Cannabis sales?

The Board has been approached with the request to ‘Opt in’ to Adult Marijuana Sales.  The Board would like to determine if the town shows interest in opting in and to what degree.                                           Adult Use Cannabis Program Rules | Office of Cannabis Policy

-Should the town choose to put 15 Russell Street up for sale?

In years past, a warrant article was presented to the town to sell the property at 15 Russell Street after the town moved its office back on to Main Street. A request from some fire personnel stalled the sale in the hopes of using the building for a fire station. This has not happened and the building itself is not improving while sitting stagnant.  The possibility of a sale to put this property back on the tax rolls and eliminate the costs associated with maintaining a wasting asset is being presented to the town again.

These items are in the works for a yet to be determined special town meeting.

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A BIG NOTE OF APPRECIATION  is being sent out to all the election workers. Phillips had an amazing turnout and thanks is being given to the folk that spent their day to make this election day a smooth and energized experience. 

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Click here for an information write up on the December 2023 flood and the South Branch of the Sandy River along the Number Six Road.

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PARKER APPRAISALS WILL BE STARTING THE REVALUATION PROCESS ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024. Bob, Tim and maybe Jessica will be stopping by and knocking on doors to announce themselves. They will have property tax cards with them and will be looking for changes. They will verify what is on the tax card currently and delete or add changes as needed. 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation while we work through this revaluation.

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2023 ANNUAL REPORTS ARE AVAILABLE. See this link for the 2024 Annual Warrant. TOWN MEETING was held JUNE 15, 2024 AT 9AM AT THE PHILLIPS AREA COMMUNITY CENTER ON DEPOT STREET.