For the time being, any moratorium on building in Damariscotta will have to come from its citizens.

The Damariscotta Board of Selectmen agreed to do nothing with a proposed moratorium Wednesday, April 3, during its meeting.

Instead, residents who don't want more low-income housing, and specifically, transitional housing for the homeless on Hodgdon and Pleasant streets, were urged to start a petition to get the issue on a ballot in front of the town.

Certain criteria centered around infrastructure and town resources that would have needed to be shown for the board to enact a moratorium. Services such as the police and fire departments would have had to have been overburdened by the facility.

“I don't see where (the proposal) presents shortcomings or overburdens public facilities,” Town Manager Matt Lutkus said. “We do have a plan in place; the code enforcement officers and the comprehensive plan.”

The Stepping Stone House plan, which would be in the Blue Haven house, would create transitional housing for homeless residents.

Selectman David Atwater said the entire issue of Stepping Stones' proposal, which has not been presented to the board of selectmen, and the moratorium, is premature.

“It seems like a moot point,” he said. “Wouldn't it be better to see what the proposal actually is first? It feels like we're putting the cart way before the horse; we don't have anything to work with.”

Amy Lelime, a Hodgdon Street resident who asked for the selectmen to consider a moratorium, said she feared Damariscotta would become a hub of ill-repute.

“For a town of 2,000 people, four (affordable housing buildings) is too many,” she said. “What percentage of the town is that? Do we want a town overrun by low-income housing people, or do we want a town where tourists want to come?”

To get the issue before the town, the petition will need signatures from 10 percent of registered voters from the last gubernatorial election, which in Damariscotta's case means 112 people must sign.

Related: Residents ask for moratorium