RAYMOND – Raymond selectmen heard Tuesday from the owner of a day care center who wants the town to enact a tough sex offender ordinance.

The ordinance discussion at the Raymond Board of Selectmen meeting was put on the agenda after several conversations between Town Manager Don Willard and Raymond resident Teresa Sadak.

“It’s been in the air for a long time,” said Sadak, owner of Peek a Roo Daycare Center. “Don and I have exchanged several messages about this, and he agreed to put it on the agenda. I just feel like the state ordinance is not enough.”

Maine law prohibits sex offenders from being, or living, within 750 feet of schools and municipal buildings, but the law does not include day care centers or preschools, a fact that concerns Sadak.

“I know these offenders have done their time, but I still want to keep my distance,” said Sadak. “State law doesn’t cover day cares so I am looking to see if the town of Raymond can add some teeth to an ordinance here.”

Raymond is no stranger to concerned day care owners wanting the town to enact sex offender ordinances. Five years ago, the Board of Selectmen contemplated a town sex offender ordinance after a resident asked the town to prevent a sex offender from moving into Raymond. At the time, the board took the concerns seriously and looked into the ordinance, but ultimately ran into legal snafus.

“I remember the discussion from five years ago,” said Selectman Joseph Bruno, board chairman. “I remember the sheriff at the time telling us we didn’t have the police in town to enforce it, so as a board we discussed, why have an ordinance if we can’t enforce it?”

As was the case in 2006, the town would still not be able to enforce an ordinance if created because the town does not have its own police force. Police services in town are covered by the county sheriff’s office, but the town has previously opted out of having a contracted constable.

“An ordinance would not have teeth because the sheriff’s office cannot enforce the local ordinance, is that correct?” Selectman Michael Reynolds asked Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce.

Joyce confirmed the observation.

“By law, we can only enforce state laws,” said Joyce. “Local ordinances must be enforced by a constable or local police departments.”

The sheriff’s office has a policy in place to notify day cares, schools and residents when a sex offender is moving to town.

“They do a great job of notifying us,” said Sadak. “They always have. I just wanted to have something a little more substantial in place.”

Bruno asked Willard to look more closely at state law to see if there would be any loophole in enforcing the local ordinance, but until they find something substantial, the ordinance will have to sit on the back burner.

“I understand their hands are tied,” said Sadak. “I’m glad they aren’t willing to move on and just squash it. I will also contact (Sen.) Bill Diamond and see what I can do on a state level. I’m just not willing to give up.”