Rent control ordinance in Old Orchard Beach passes, three town councilors re-elected

A referendum to establish a mobile home rent control ordinance passed by a clear margin in Old Orchard Beach, and three Town Councilors were re-elected.

Old Orchard Beach residents were asked:” Shall the Ordinance entitled ‘Citizens Initiative Petition, Amendments to the Town of Old Orchard Beach Code of Ordinances, Chapter 34, Housing, adding Article IV, Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance’ be adopted?”

The referendum passed in a 3989-1595 vote, with 707 blank votes. The ballot question was a result of a citizen’s petition from mobile homeowners who fear lot rent increases after a new owner purchased Old Orchard Village and Atlantic Village mobile home parks.

 The ordinance limits annual rent increases in mobile home parks to 5 percent of the base rent unless justified through an additional approval process. However, some opponents say the ordinance could bring hidden costs, including an annual fee from the town to enforce it.

Three town council members were re-elected for another two years – Kenneth Blow with 3394 votes, Shawn O’Neill with 2724 votes, and Michael Tousignant with 2650 votes. Guy Fontaine received 2600 votes and David Boudreau received 1839 votes.

Santino Perrone and Craig Evans ran unopposed for two, three-year seats on the school board for Regional School Unit 23, covering Old Orchard Beach.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.