By Emma Bouthillette 

Staff Writer

Kennebunkport residents will vote on five town warrants Nov. 4.

The first two questions involve amending the land use ordinance in regard to shoreland zoning and contract zoning. 

The first question asks residents to approve amendments to shoreland zoning that would bring the land use ordinance into compliance with state regulations recently established by the Department of Environmental Protection, as well as remove the critical edge overlay from the ordinance. 

The second question involves correcting a transcription error in article 13 of contract zoning, which currently references Appendix A instead of Section 13.2.E.

Question three asks residents if they approve of adding seven map appendices to the current comprehensive plan to total 16 maps. The maps to be added would include “FEMA 100 Year Flood Plain,” “Existing Land Uses,” “Gulf of Maine Critical Habitat,” “Building Over Time,” “Developable Land,” “Impervious Surface Conditions” (existing) and “Impervious Surface Conditions” (built under current zoning). 

The fourth question is in regard to the number of members on the lighting committee and conservation commission. Currently all other town committees or commissions have a certain number of members or more.

The question asks residents if they would change the lighting committee to include five members or more, and the conservation commission to include seven members or more. The two are the only committees currently with a set number, adding “or more” to administrative code for both groups would create a more uniform code, selectmen decided. 

Question five asks residents if they would support a proposed property tax assistance ordinance that would assist resident homeowners and renters whose property tax or rent is a substantial portion of their income.

Residents already qualified for the state Circuit Breaker refund, which gives them up to $2,000, would receive additional assistance from the town totaling 50 percent of what they received from the state, or up to $500.

If approved by voters, the ordinance will not be put into effect until applications for 2008 refunds become available Aug. 1, 2009.  

Proposed ordinance amendments are available to view in more detail by visiting the town Web site at www.kennebunkportme.gov or at town hall. 

Absentee ballot applications are currently available for those who will be out of town, do not want to wait at the polls or are unable to vote in person, by contacting Town Clerk April Dufoe.

Dufoe said she expects absentee ballots to be available in town hall soon, and if residents have not registered to vote, they have until Oct. 14 to register by mail, after that they have to register in person.

The polls are scheduled to be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Village Fire Station on North Street in Kennebunkport.