Jill Rice, a member of the Pemaquid Watershed Association Board of Directors, met with the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen Oct. 19 to ask for the board’s support for the organization’s pursuit of a $1000 watershed protection grant to fund a restroom at the Biscay Pond beach. The grant is being filed with the help of Charlie Scimone and the Climate Action Club at Lincoln Academy.
Rice, the selectmen, interim Town Manager Don Gerrish and Superintendent of Roads, Facilities and Grounds Steve Reynolds discussed various options for a restroom, including portable and permanent facilities.
Regardless of what form the restroom ultimately takes, municipal officials offered strong support for the initiative.
“If we’re going to invite people to come, it’s our beach – you probably ought to do something,” Gerrish advised.
“We have a responsibility,” Selectman Josh Pinkham said. “We need to do it.”
Reynolds offered his department’s assistance with site work.
The selectmen voted 4-0 to support the grant application. Selectman Dave Wilbur was absent.
The proposed ordinance allows residents to apply for $15,000 loans for energy efficient home improvement projects, Gerrish said. Ninety-four Maine communities have adopted the model ordinance.
The only commitment for the town, Gerrish said, is to be “willing to provide information about energy efficiency in the community.”
“It’s something that you ought to move forward on,” Gerrish said. “It’s really a benefit to the community.”
A resident said she and her husband want to install a “very efficient” propane heater in their Lessner Road home. The low interest (4.9 percent) PACE loan would allow them to move forward.
“The money’s just sitting there and it’s waiting to be used by residents,” the woman, who identified herself only as Kathy, said. “Please pass this as soon as you can.”
The special town meeting will start at 5:30 p.m.
Damariscotta Police Chief Chad Andrews met with the selectmen to discuss Maine’s recent legalization of fireworks, which allows towns to restrict their sale, possession and use.
Andrews said he and Fire Chief Neil Genthner recommend restricting the use of fireworks in downtown Damariscotta, from the intersection of Bristol Road and Main Street to the Damariscotta-Newcastle bridge.
“That’s the only thing we want to change,” Andrews said, calling the restriction necessary to avoid a disaster, especially during the annual July Fourth celebration, when thousands gather in the municipal parking lot and surrounding areas.
Gerrish said the town would attempt to bring an ordinance to voters before Jan. 1, 2012.
The Damariscotta company underbid competitors in Bath, Brunswick and Lewiston, undercutting its nearest competitor by more than $12,000.
The award leaves the town ample room to extend the scope of the project or manage unexpected crises, as the construction budget totals $340,000.
