ANSON — There were no comments Tuesday night at a public hearing on proposed changes to the town’s mass gathering ordinance.

The hearing, which was over in less than 10 minutes, comes ahead of a special town meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 8, at which residents will vote on whether to adopt the changes. Only a handful of residents turned out Tuesday night at the Town Office for the public hearing, and there were just two questions on the process for changing the ordinance.

In addition to the ordinance, residents next week also will consider appropriating $40,000 for legal and auditing fees accrued during an investigation into the disappearance of $438,712 in excise tax money at the Town Office.

The proposed changes to the mass gathering ordinance were sparked by a landowner who expressed interest in holding a bluegrass music festival on Four Mile Square Road, according to town officials.

They include the requirement of a bond or security deposit for events to be held on public property, an allowance for nighttime mass gatherings if camping space is provided, and a requirement that the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office be allowed to determine the number of officers needed at a mass gathering.

The special town meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Garret Schenck Elementary School.

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“I don’t know if a lot of people will be there for (the mass gathering ordinance), but we do expect a few more for the money transfer article,” said Arnold Luce, chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

Rachel Ohm — 612-2368

rohm@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @rachel_ohm


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