Ogunquit This Week

Court repair question heads to November 3 ballot

Kay Moore, representing the tennis players, updated the committee on the ballot question asking voters to spend $100,000 to restore the aging tennis and pickleball courts at Agamenticus Park. She said the courts have deep cracks and that the article — likely Article 4 — won unanimous support from the Select Board and Budget Review Committee. The figure rose from $50,000 to $100,000 after the Marginal Way Preservation Fund donated money for lead-paint removal at the Heritage Museum, removing the need for a separate warrant article. Heath Ouellette said the funds would come from the town's reserve account, built largely from parking revenue, rather than from a tax increase, and that the town's mill rate is expected to fall slightly this year. Committee members suggested seeking hotel sponsorships and possible matching grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

No committee vote was taken; the $100,000 question goes to voters on November 3.

New Select Board liaison outlines closer coordination

Heath Ouellette introduced himself as the committee's new Select Board liaison. He said the Select Board has set about 20 priorities this year drawn from the comprehensive plan, and that upcoming discussions will focus on better collaboration, communication, and accountability between the board and town committees, including asking each committee for a work plan of three to five priorities. He also flagged Select Board interest in beautifying town parks and in making fuller use of the updated community center building. Ouellette advised that committees may share factual information about the November vote but may not advocate for or against it, particularly during the 30-day early-voting window when balloting occurs at the town office.

Plein Air painting event set for Saturday in Perkins Cove

Event coordinator Jennifer Lewer joined by Zoom to report the Plein Air event will run this Saturday, September 12, out of Perkins Cove. About 137 artists, split fairly evenly between amateurs and professionals, will register from 6 to 8 a.m. and paint through the day, with judging at 1:15 p.m. and awards around 2 p.m. Live music is planned in Rotary Park and on the dock, and a wet-paint sale runs from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Members thanked the Public Works Department and volunteers, noting this is the event's sixth year. Editor’s update: The organizer’s published schedule lists competition judging from 1 to 2 p.m. and the wet-paint sale from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

Summer concerts recapped; beach band series proposed

Ian recapped a strong summer music season featuring more than 40 artists, including a well-received beach performance and a closing show by Southside Blues. Building on the beach show's popularity, a member proposed hosting three bigger live bands on the beach next summer — one each in June, July, and August. The Chair asked that any expanded plan be turned into a detailed budget before the committee seeks additional funds, stressing the group must stay within its roughly $40,000 budget. Members discussed possibly shifting money from Perkins Cove concert dates and using the new Venmo/general Parks and Rec account to offset costs. The idea would also need approval from town staff or the Select Board.

Raft in the River draws big crowd

Members reported that the revived Raft in the River event was a success, with 88 rafts and 48 registered groups representing at least 300 people, plus about 150 spectators on the bridge. Local businesses donated prizes, keeping town costs low. Members credited Public Works, lifeguards, and the fire department for their help, noting the river ran faster than expected but participants had a great time.

Halloween planning: parade, rocks, and volunteers

The committee discussed Ogunquit Fest and Halloween plans, set for October 24. Because the Aldrich parking lot is not available as a gathering spot — likely due to construction — the traditional parade may be moved or dropped in favor of trick-or-treating. Members also noted the popular painted rocks are nearly used up and the usual donated supply has run out; they discussed contacting landscapers or possibly switching to pumpkins, and said Halloween money was budgeted. Members said they need roughly seven or eight volunteers and currently have only two lined up.

Performer payment process to be reviewed

A member asked that the committee look at how performers are paid. Under the current system, performers choose direct deposit or a mailed check; the member suggested the process could be simpler, noting that some towns hand performers a check after they play, and asked that the question be passed along to the Select Board. The Chair said the town’s electronic system was set up to ensure proper 1099 tax reporting and agreed the process could be revisited.

Committee votes to recommend growing to nine members

The committee voted by show of hands to recommend expanding from seven voting members to nine, while keeping two alternates. The Chair said the two current alternates are already working as hard as full members, so giving them a vote seemed fair. Members discussed whether a bigger board is the right approach; Select Board member Christopher Nobile and the committee's new liaison, Heath Ouellette, suggested the group could instead lean more on active volunteers rather than enlarge its governing board. The committee decided nine is the right size for its workload.

Committee voted to recommend the change to the Select Board, which appoints members and must approve any change to the committee's size.

Safety survey finds narrow, hazardous spots near the hotels

Elaine Cooper and alternate Jacqueline Danner have been documenting cracks, crumbling shoulders, and unsafe spots along the path, building a PowerPoint record up to bench 35. In places near the hotels the path narrows to about 31 inches, and a loose stone wall at one entrance is breaking apart. The Chair plans to begin conversations with the Sparhawk, the Anchorage, and the Beachmere about trimming hedges and repairs, and wants a formal survey from Shore Road to Perkins Cove to settle differing readings of the right-of-way. Gail Brother is compiling a short list of the most urgent spots for Public Works to fill this fall.

Possible dog restrictions headed to the Select Board

Members noted that a request to discuss banning dogs on the Marginal Way will go before the Select Board. Christopher Nobile described a likely path: a heads-up at one meeting, then a public hearing for input at the next, before any decision. It is not yet clear whether this would be a Select Board policy or require an ordinance change. Monitors also reported an uptick in dogs on the path in September, and the committee will again sponsor its 'Canines for Clean Water' outreach on October 3.

Litter on the path down sharply from last year

The monitor report showed 22 walks and 36 hours logged in August, collecting 22.25 gallons of trash. Members said trash is down 51 percent from a year ago — 109 gallons so far this year compared with 224 at this point last year — and credited the visible presence of monitors on the path.

Volunteer hours and Pod Day tallied

Gail Brother reported 362.25 volunteer hours for the month, valued at $15,949, bringing the annual total to $65,746. That included Pod Day, which alone drew 165 hours of work valued at $7,793.70. The August people counter logged 88,984 walkers, the second-highest August on record. Members also reviewed how Pod Day went and noted improvements for next year, such as clearer signup maps, extra bins, and dedicated equipment storage.

Committee to coordinate with the town on budget reporting

Gail Brother, now serving as the committee’s ‘numbers recorder,’ said the committee keeps its own ledger of invoices to track its spending and would like regular budget reports from the town to reconcile against. Heath Ouellette and Christopher Nobile said they would follow up, and members discussed whether committees should formally vote to approve expenses and report spending in the minutes going forward.

Gardening protocols and bylaws updates held for October

The committee reviewed its ecological gardening protocols — which emphasize native plants, a naturalistic 'rewilded' look, and leaving grasses and leaves for wildlife — and worked through bylaws changes, including updating officer duties and how votes are recorded for hybrid meetings. Members agreed to finalize edits and take a formal vote to approve both documents at the October meeting.

Final approval deferred to October.