Staff Writer
HOULTON — A recent ordinance created by the Houlton town council is facing a challenge from one local resident.
Stan Ginish is circulating a petition to have the current wood-fired boiler ordinance reversed. Ginish has stated during previous council meetings that the council acted too quickly in regard to the ordinance and now he’s looking to make them change it.
“He has until the end of the month to get enough signatures to reverse the council’s decision,” explained Town Manager Doug Hazlett. “The petition could force the council to reverse the ordinance. If they refuse to withdraw, then it goes to referendum. The voters would decide. In that case, it might be suspended for a whole year.”
Ginish had once before challenged the council and their stand on wanting to create restrictions for owners of outdoor wood-fired boilers. The council had created a 180-day moratorium restricting residents from installing the furnaces until a proper ordinance could be enacted. Ginish managed to collect enough signatures to have the issue put to referendum. In response to that, the council withdrew its moratorium and moved to creating an ordinance before the planning board was able to study the matter.
On Tuesday, Oct. 9, town councilors informed the public of Ginish’s petition and told them that the petition was not addressing wood stoves, fireplaces or indoor wood boilers.
The petition reads as follows: Each of the undersigned voters respectfully requests the municipal officers to reconsider the Houlton town council’s action of Sept. 24 on the following: (S090107-1) The town of Houlton ordains that Chapter 5, Building, of the Houlton code, be amended with the addition of Section 5, Article IV, Wood Boiler Ordinance. (old words lined through, new words underlined) Note: Document in its entirety is attached to this petition form.
“There is a petition out over the wood boiler ordinance that we introduced two weeks ago,” explained Town Councilor Carl Lord. “I just want to let everybody know that it is outside wood boilers only. I just want to make that clear.”
Approximately 422 signatures are needed by 4 p.m. on Oct. 24. Once the signatures are certified, the matter will go back to the council for consideration.
