[Adopted 4-24-1993]
It is the responsibility of the municipality
to protect the lives and property of the residents of Wells and it
is the desire of the municipality to operate efficient and effective
public safety services. These efficient and effective public safety
operations are inhibited by the current inconsistent building and
street numbering process and overlapping or similar street names.
Therefore, be it ordained by the Town Meeting of Wells, Maine, that
the following article entitled "Ordinance Regulating Street Naming
and Numbering in the Town of Wells" be enacted.
Initially, the Selectmen shall have the authority
to confirm existing street names or, when necessary to avoid duplication
or confusion, to rename existing streets to implement the street numbering
system. The Selectmen shall review a street list or map showing street
names, and, upon adoption by the Selectmen, that list or map shall
become the official street designation of the Town. After initial
implementation of the program, an applicant for a street name shall
submit the proposed name to the Assessor. The Assessor shall review
the proposed street name for duplication of names, appropriateness
of names and for overall compliance with the street naming and numbering
policy. The Assessor shall be responsible for updating the official
street list or map in a timely manner.
All buildings shall bear a distinctive street
number in accordance with and as designated upon the Street Numbering
Map on file in the Assessor's office. The Assessor or his/her designee
shall be responsible for updating and keeping the map current.
A.
Street numbers shall be displayed upon or near the
front door of the main building facing the street. The number shall
be plainly visible from the street. Houses that are set back and not
visible from the road shall place a post or sign at the driveway entrance
upon which shall be affixed the specified numbers in accordance with
the street naming and numbering policy.
B.
Numbers shall be in Arabic figures, no less than three
inches in height and a one-half-inch-wide stroke, and shall contrast
in color with the color of the building or background to which they
are attached.
C.
No person shall affix, or allow to be affixed, a different
street number from the one designated on the Street Numbering Map
by the Assessor.
For multi-unit complexes, the complex street number shall be displayed as outlined in § 201-4. Each individual building and each individual unit shall be clearly sublettered.
The design and style of the street name signs
and letters shall be provided by the Public Works Department.
This article shall become effective upon adoption
by the Town Meeting. Any new buildings or major renovation of an existing
building shall comply with the requirements of this article prior
to occupancy thereof. All existing buildings shall comply with the
requirements of this article on or before December 31, 1994.
The Code Enforcement Officer of the Town of
Wells shall be responsible for administering and enforcing this article.
Any person who, after being notified of a violation of this article
by the Code Enforcement Officer and ordered to correct the violation,
fails to comply with any of the provisions of this article within
15 days of written notice shall be liable for civil penalties in the
amount of $100.
