Orono council hears Route 2 phasing plan, moves on Flock camera ordinance

The Orono Town Council received a presentation on the Route 2 planning study, which is now being broken into phased projects after a single large funding package fell through. The council also directed two members to draft an ordinance on automated license plate recognition cameras, approved a liquor license for a new Mill Street business, and referred traffic calming and vaping product questions to committees.

Key points

• Economic Development Manager EJ Roach outlined a phased Route 2 strategy, including a downtown project funded through MaineDOT from Goodridge Drive to the Brandon Silk Memorial Bridge, with construction advertised in spring 2028 and completion expected by mid 2029.
• The council voted unanimously to approve a victuals license for Sip Lab LLC at 15 Mill Street, which received its certificate of occupancy on October 1.
• The council unanimously referred a review of Forest Avenue traffic calming measures and their impact on EMS response times to the Community Development Committee, with Councilor Sarah Marks urging a math-based approach rather than asking for fire department data that may not exist.
• The council unanimously referred an amended order to the Ordinance Review Committee to assess municipal authority over vaping products, including but not limited to tobacco and kratom, targeting youth.
• Councilors John and Rob volunteered to work with the town attorney and staff on a draft ordinance restricting automated license plate recognition (Flock) cameras, to come back as an order at the next meeting.
• Resident Brent Ellis spoke in support of reviewing youth access to vaping and other products; Councilor Marks raised concerns about a loud, hours-long backyard concert in the Webster Park neighborhood and how noise ordinances are enforced during daytime hours.

Next steps

• Two councilors will work with the town attorney and staff to draft a Flock camera ordinance, with an order expected at the next council meeting.
• Staff will review mass gathering rules and noise complaint protocols, and report back on enforcement and public notification processes.
• The town manager will report back within a week or two on whether the town office elevator can be repaired, and a ramp option may be considered as a future capital project.
• The Ordinance Review Committee will report back on the vaping product referral, with a December 2027 report date kept in place.
• The town manager reminded the council he will not attend the October 19 meeting due to training.

Read the full transcript