On Election Day, Boothbay residents will vote on proposals regarding adopting an ordinance regulating retail marijuana and establishing nine drug-free zones.

The local special town meeting referendum ballot has three questions. Article One asks voters to select a moderator. Article Two asks voters to cast by secret ballot, “Shall an ordinance entitled 2017 Amendments  to the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Boothbay Regarding Retail Marijuana Establishments” be enacted? Article Three asks residents to cast by secret ballot “Shall an ordinance entitled 2017 Amendments to the Administrative Code of the Town of Boothbay Drug Free Safe Zones” be enacted?

Article Two would regulate retail marijuana in the town once the state’s moratorium on selling and growing retail marijuana expires. The Legislature enacted a moratorium in January after a state referendum legalized retail marijuana in November 2016. The moratorium expires in February 2018.

Boothbay’s proposed ordinance would add retail marijuana establishments alphabetically in the land use table’s  commercial and industrial use/activity column. Retail marijuana establishments would only be allowed in C2 and Industrial Park zoning districts.

The proposed ordinance would prohibit establishments within 500 feet of lot lines of drug-free zones. The ordinance requires production, storage, testing, display, and sale of marijuana and related products to be located within a building and not be visible from the exterior. A mobile self-contained extraction lab would be allowed to operate at an establishment on a short-term basis (less than five days per month).

Product manufacturing and testing facilities shall include appropriate ventilation and alarm systems to mitigate noxious gases and other fumes used or created as part of the production.

Security requirements for establishments shall include lockable doors and windows with intrusion alarms and audible law enforcement notification components, video surveillance operated with continuous records retained for 30 days, and exterior lights with motion sensors covering the establishment’s full perimeter.

The ordinance would prohibit retail marijuana drive-thru service. All retail marijuana cultivation would be restricted to within an enclosed locked or enclosed outdoor areas. The cultivation area is prohibited from being visible from a public way or adjacent property.

Retail cultivation facilities in the C2 zoning district are limited to 7,500 square feet or 300 flowering plants, whichever is less. Retail cultivation facilities in the Industrial Park zoning district shall be in accordance with state standards.

Article Three would amend the town’s administrative code by establishing drug-free safe zones for athletics fields, parks, playgrounds, recreational facilities, and other areas frequented by minors. The proposed ordinance is designed to protect minors from people trafficking, furnishing, or cultivating drugs within designated safe zones. The following locations would be designated: Harold B. Clifford Playground, Knickerbocker Lake Access Area, Knickercane Island, Knickerkane Boat Launch and parking areas, Boothbay Common, Three Threes on Ocean Point, Murray Hill Boat Launch, Shipbuilders Park, and Grimes Cove Path.

The local and state referendum election takes places from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7 in the Boothbay municipal building.