Dexter council approves sex offender residency ordinance

DEXTER, Maine — Sex offenders will be barred from living within 750 feet of schools and parks in Dexter after the Town Council approved an ordinance on residency rules on Thursday. 

The ordinance was discussed by the council at its Dec. 11 meeting and is based on state guidelines, Chair Marcia Delaware said. 

“It gives a little more stricter policy,” Town Manager Trampas King said.

The ordinance comes after councilors said that state law is a bit vague on sex offender residences. Other Maine communities have similar ordinances in place. 

The ordinance establishes a 750-foot distance between sex offender residences and areas where there may be a lot of children such as schools and parks. Sex offenders already living within the 750-foot distance would be grandfathered in, but those looking to move in would not be permitted to do so.

In other business, the council made several appointments. 

Travis Gould was appointed as assessor for a 5-year term through the end of 2030. Andrew Bermudez was appointed to the board of appeals for a 3-year term through the end of 2028. Delaware and Jeffrey Crowell were both appointed to 3-year terms on the Wakefield Scholarship Committee through the end of 2028. The group oversees a scholarship for Dexter Regional High School.

In his report King mentioned the Dexter Firefighters Association annual ice fishing derby will be Feb. 6-8 on Lake Wassookeag.

“It’s a good time even if you don’t do it,” King said. “Buy some raffle tickets, they have some great prizes.”

Planning is under way for the Maine Red Hot Dog Festival on Saturday, Aug. 8. More volunteers are needed and those interested can speak with King.

“Please check with your fellow residents, it’s cold,” King said in asking the community to look out for one another during the winter.