Before discussion was opened to the public, Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus made a few things clear about a proposed homeless shelter.

For one: Nothing had been settled about the property or the possibility of opening a shelter at the location.

For another, Lutkus said, it would come before the planning board, not the board of selectmen, when it does come time to decide.

The selectmen still heard from residents of Hodgdon and Pleasant roads, who came to voice their disapproval about the Stepping Stone House plan, which would have been located in the Blue Haven house.

Jenny Begin, of Pleasant Street, said the location, if approved, could cost the town money, and not just because it could be removed from the tax rolls as a nonprofit.

“I would like to know if it would be (removed) from the tax base, because it will probably see a lot of activity,” she said. “I think we need to know more; this all feels like it was put together too quickly.”

Because of that, Begin and Hodgdon Street's Amy Lalime proposed slowing things down to a stop.

“We're proposing a moratorium on low-income housing, at least until there has been more assessment in town,” she said. “We want to have a public meeting to decide what kind of town we want, maybe have something brought before the voters.

“But we're asking for a moratorium until after that vote.”

Lalime echoed Begin when she said she felt things were being rushed.

“There's just so much to think about; the parking situation, the access; it feels like this was a big surprise to everyone,” she said. “I would hate to see anyone just rush in without looking at how it affects the neighborhood.”

Stepping Stone has set up a meeting at 4:30 p.m. today, March 20 at Skidompha to address the public’s concerns.