Peru wind, recall ordinances approved

PERU -- Ordinances for regulating wind-energy developments and recalling an elected municipal official were approved by voters on Nov. 6.
Jim Pulsifer, chairman of the Industrial Wind Power Committee that drafted the regulations, said they “wrote a very strong ordinance that would make it very hard to bring wind turbines here.”
He said the next step is up to developers.
EDP Renewables North America LLC, of Houston, Texas, announced it was considering building 25 to 35 turbines in Peru. The company received a permit in October 2011 to place a meteorological test  tower off Black Mountain Road near the Sumner town line.
In other results from the polls, an ordinance allowing residents to recall an elected municipal official if they have failed to carry out their duties was approved, 518-355. It does not apply to school board members.
Drafted in August by resident Tammy Ferland, the ordinance to recall an elected municipal official can occur if they have failed to carry out their duties but it does not apply to school board members. They may also do so if the official has engaged in disreputable conduct or has been convicted of a crime or felony.
By 562-305, voters passed an ordinance allowing the electronic sign on the side of the Peru Fire Station on Route 108 to display different messages in a format that would not distract drivers. Previously, the electronic sign was only allowed to display one message at a time so that drivers would not be distracted.
By a vote of 476-402, voters said no to changing the position of secretary to the Board of Selectmen from "elected" to "appointed."
The ballot question was tied to an ordinance passed in June that bars town employees, such as the board secretary, from serving simultaneously as selectmen or Finance Committee members.
Currently the board secretary, Selectman Kathy Hussey is being allowed to finish her term, based on advice from the Maine Municipal Association.
By 678-213, voters approved taking $5,000 from surplus to cover additional costs of construction on the Town Office roof and entry door. Parent said voters at the town meeting this past June opted to raise $30,000 and take another $30,000 from surplus to pay for the construction. However, the bids came in at slightly more than $60,000.