Reading text from the approved published edition (version 1). Photos and inserted report pages remain in that edition’s PDF; this text view does not reproduce them. Photo descriptions are included where provided.
This newsletter provides convenient summaries of public Town information. Agendas, minutes, recordings, and official notices remain the authoritative record.
What your boards and committees decided this week.
PLANNING BOARD WORKSHOPMon, Sep 28, 2026
Planning Board drafts denser-housing zoning to meet state affordable-housing law
Your Planning Board used its September 28 workshop to draft zoning changes built around a proposed "growth area." Members worked through the ordinance line by line; no votes were taken.
A new "growth area" to allow smaller lots and duplexes
Because this was a workshop, your Planning Board made no decisions — it worked line by line through a draft of zoning changes. The goal is to meet Maine's affordable-housing law by creating a "growth area," the merged General Business District, where housing can be denser. Members agreed on the draft to delete the One Family Residential district and rename it Residential (R), drop the second General Business zone (GB2) and merge it into a single General Business District, and rename the Downtown Business District to the Village Business District. In the growth area, the minimum lot with public water and sewer would fall to 5,000 square feet, required parking would drop to one space per dwelling, and qualified affordable-housing buildings could rise to 49 feet and three and a half stories. The Board also talked about lowering building coverage in the Residential district to 20 percent, keeping 75-foot frontage, and possibly merging the two rural residential zones, RR1 and RR2. New definitions would set affordability at no more than 120 percent of York County median income. Several questions were flagged for the town's planner before the language is finalized.
What changed
No vote taken.
Why it matters
These changes would carry out a state affordable-housing law by allowing smaller lots, duplexes, reduced parking, and taller affordable-housing buildings in a designated growth area. They would need a public hearing and a town ballot vote before taking effect.
What's next
The Chair will finalize the draft language for the Board to review at its next workshop. (Oct 13, 2026 · Next workshop)
Minimum lot in growth area with public water and sewer
5,000 sq ft
Max height for qualified affordable housing developments
49 ft
Cap on York County median income for affordable housing
120%
Required parking per dwelling unit in growth areas (spaces per unit)
Period
Value
Now
2
Draft
1
Path for the zoning changes
Workshop drafting
The Board is refining draft language for the growth area and district changes across several workshops.
Public hearing
A public hearing would be held on the proposed changes.
Town ballot vote
The changes would go to voters on the ballot to take effect.
A new "growth area" to allow smaller lots and duplexes — No vote taken.
Planning Board - 2nd MeetingMon, Sep 28, 2026
Planning Board handles a full agenda at Sept. 28 meeting
At its September 28 meeting, the Planning Board approved a motel entrance change and August minutes, discussed a construction-noise complaint, and planned its review of a Select Board committee framework.
Footbridge Beach Motel gets OK to move a front door
At 668 Main Street, the owner proposed swapping a window and the caretaker’s cottage door during permitted re-siding so motel guests reach the office rather than the adjoining residence. The Board found the application complete, then approved the design change in a separate motion. No site visit or public hearing was required.
What changed
The Board found the application complete, then approved the design change in a separate motion.
Why it matters
Not stated in the source.
What's next
Not stated in the source.
Recorded disposition: approved
Recorded vote: 3–0
Source: Planning Board, Sept. 28; New Business 6.1.
August minutes approved
With no corrections offered, the Board approved the minutes of its August 24, 2026 meeting.
What changed
The Board approved the minutes of the August 24, 2026 meeting.
During public comment, the Chair read an email from a resident asking the Board to amend the ordinance so noisy building work ends by 6 p.m., with a ban on weekend and holiday work. The resident described weeks of jackhammering and said the current rules — a 7 a.m. start, an 8 p.m. finish, and weekend work allowed with the owner's written permission — favor developers. Code officer Tyler McOsker said he had spoken with the writer, and that shortening hours tends to lengthen a project rather than reduce its noise. Members discussed, but did not favor, a new 'hammering' ordinance or notifying abutters of every permit, noting blasting is already tightly regulated. No vote was taken; the Chair offered to draft a written response and the Board set the matter aside for now.
What changed
No vote taken.
Why it matters
Not stated in the source.
What's next
The Chair offered to draft an email response to the resident who raised the concern. (Date to be set)
Source: Planning Board, Sept. 28; public comments and other business.
Select Board sends committees a new framework
The Select Board sent committee chairs a draft framework for their work. The Planning Board will review it at its October 13 workshop. A response to the Select Board is due October 15.
What changed
No vote taken.
Why it matters
Not stated in the source.
What's next
The Board will review the framework at its next workshop; a response to the Select Board is due October 15. (Oct 13, 2026 · Planning Board workshop)
Footbridge Beach Motel gets OK to move a front door — The Board found the application complete, then approved the design change in a separate motion.
Board weighs a construction-noise complaint — No vote taken.
Select Board sends committees a new framework — No vote taken.
August minutes approved — The Board approved the minutes of the August 24, 2026 meeting.
Around Town
News and notes from town departments.
Ogunquit Fire at 125
The Maxwell House fire of August 1968
On the evening of August 14, 1968, a fire broke out at the Maxwell House in Ogunquit Center. The building was a historic former resort hotel, and the fire began around 8:30 p.m. For those who witnessed it, a major fire in the center of a coastal community was not simply an emergency scene. It drew the attention of the entire town. Residents watched firefighters work while departments relied on the apparatus, water supplies, communications, protective clothing, and tactics available at the time. Historic fire photographs often capture the flames and smoke, but they cannot fully show the work taking place around them. Firefighters operated hose lines, moved equipment, protected nearby buildings, and worked alongside mutual-aid partners. Families and community members waited for news while local businesses faced the possibility of permanent loss. The Maxwell House fire became part of Ogunquit’s collective memory and part of the history carried forward by the Fire Department. As we mark our 125th anniversary, we remember the firefighters who responded to emergencies such as this one. Their experiences helped shape the training, equipment, planning, and mutual-aid relationships used by later generations.
4 photos appear in the published edition.
Photo description: Black-and-white fire scene with a ladder truck and people outside a building.
Photo description: Black-and-white scene with a fire truck and people outside a building.
Photo description: Black-and-white group portrait of seated and standing people in front of a brick building. Caption: Undated archival group portrait included with the Fire Department remembrance.
Photo description: Members of the Ogunquit Fire Department posed in front of a ladder truck in 2007. Caption: Members of the Ogunquit Fire Department in 2007.
Ogunquit Fire at 125
Beyond the Bell: Firemen's Field Days
Firemen's Field Days, often called musters, were part of Ogunquit's fire-service tradition beyond emergency calls and training. Fire companies tested equipment and skill while firefighters, families and neighbors gathered with nearby departments.
Photographs, equipment and trophies preserved by the Ogunquit Fire Company recall teamwork, friendly competition and department pride. As the department marks 125 years, it remembers the traditions that brought firefighters and the community together.
Do you remember an Ogunquit muster? Share memories and photographs with the Fire Company. Its 125th-anniversary open house is Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 15 School Street, with history displays, hands-on CPR, children's activities and fire-safety exhibits. All are welcome.
A photo appears in the published edition.
Photo description: Historic black-and-white photograph of people gathered outdoors, with one man raising his arm. Caption: A scene from an Ogunquit firemen's muster; date not recorded.
Wells-Ogunquit C.S.D.
This week in our schools
In his Sept. 30 update, Superintendent James P. Daly reports that Niche ranks the district first in York County and eighth in Maine. Sept. 1 enrollment was 1,434.
Friday, Oct. 2: Warrior Football Military Appreciation Night honors veterans and service members at Warrior Memorial Field. Ceremony 5:45 p.m.; Wells–Gardiner kickoff 6:30 p.m.
Daly thanked custodians and recognized WJHS Grade 7 leader Ryan Danley for a Wells and Ogunquit beach cleanup.
OCT. 3 Band · Lawrence H.S.
OCT. 8 WJHS Music Night
OCT. 17 Band · Westbrook H.S.
OCT. 20 Grade 8 at Ogunquit Playhouse
OCT. 21 WHS Picture Day
OCT. 29 / NOV. 5 WJHS conferences: remote Oct. 29; in person Nov. 5