To The Editor:

To: Robert Peabody, Town manager, and Members of Board of Selectmen and Selectwoman, and Linda Lacroix, Community Director:

I am writing to express my concern about the potential for important town issues to be discussed, and decisions made, without input from members of the Bridgton community in a public forum. Bridgton town rules include the written regulation: “Fair and impartial consideration means that town officials and town employees should make their decisions in the appropriate public forum and should not take official action until they have given a careful and objective consideration to the facts pertaining to a particular issue coming before them.”

And, that “Town officials and town employees should conduct themselves at all times so as to maintain public confidence in Town government and its lawful ordinances and policies. Town officials and town employees should comply with the laws of the State of Maine and the ordinances of the town and should conduct themselves in a manner consistent with duly adopted town policies.”

On March 18, Governor Janet Mills mandated that all events with over 10 people must be canceled or postponed.  On March 31, the Maine CDC Director, Nirav Shah, reported that the transmission of COVID-19 increases with congregation. It has been recommended that individuals practice social, or physical, distancing, with the recommendation that each individual remain six feet away from other individuals. At the Selectboard/Planning Board meetings I have attended, the room would not allow many individuals to attend and be able to maintain the recommended national and state guidelines.

I am suggesting that any discussion of the selectmen proposed repeal of the Land Use Ordinance, and other town issues, be postponed until information can be provided, and discussed, in a public forum. I want to remind town leaders that not every citizen has a computer and that the lack of a computer prevents some citizens from viewing town meetings. I believe that all orders from Governor Janet Mills must be adhered to.

I am requesting that this letter be read at Selectboard and Planning Board meetings and that all requirements for voting on Town of Bridgton regulations and leader positions be postponed until the community can safely assemble to discuss the issues in a public forum. That is, until the risk of transmission of COVID-19 is decreased and all recommendations from Governor Mills and the Maine CDC can be met and adhered to.

I am hopeful that the health and safety of each and every citizen of Bridgton is the highest priority of every Town of Bridgton leader. You were elected, or hired, to make decisions only after each citizen has been afforded the opportunity to participate in the decisions that affect the town.

Respectfully submitted by,

Nancy Donovan

Bridgton

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Bridgton Board of Selectmen met Tuesday night, and voted 5-0 to take the repeal of the Land Use Ordinance off the June warrant ballot. Meanwhile, the Planning Board will be putting up to town vote amendments to the Land Use Ordinance, as well as amendments addressing medical and adult-use marijuana establishments. Articles regarding these issues will be forthcoming on the website.