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In 1913, Ogunquit was established as a village corporation within the Town of Wells. The corporation was established as a quasi-municipal government after a dispute between Ogunquit and Wells citizens over whether or not to install streetlights in Ogunquit.
After 1913, Ogunquit assumed most of the characteristics and provided most of the services of a municipality. The Town-Village relationship between Wells and Ogunquit, coupled with disputes over tax assessing, cost sharing and local control, generated a long-standing, irreconcilable conflict between the citizens and officials of the two communities.
In January 1979, the Ogunquit Board of Overseers unanimously endorsed a plan to seperate Ogunquit from Wells. The headline in the January 10, 1979 York Country Coast Star read, "Ogunquit asks divorce from Wells government". At the annual elections in March 1979, Ogunquit residents voted 412 to 76 in favour of separating from the Town of Wells.
In the ensuing months, there were negotiations between Wells and Ogunquit officials, discussions between lawyers for both parties and hearings with the legislative Local and Country Government Committee.
On October 1, 1979, Ogunquit residents voted 480-94 in favour of separation from the Town of Wells to take effect July 1, 1980. On July 1, 1980, Ogunquit's independence day was celebrated "with a fabulous fireworks display enjoyed by what must be the largest throng ever assembled in one place in the little village-cum-town".
The Town of Ogunquit 25th Anniversary Committee is planning special events throughout the 2005 season to celebrate "Ogunquit The Town"! Check out our web site wwww.ogunquit.org for a complete calendar.
Ogunquit Area Code is 207
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