The Damariscotta Board of Selectmen unanimously supports the idea of public transportation from the Newcastle train station to downtown Damariscotta and elsewhere around the region.
The selectmen cast a unanimous vote Jan. 15 to support a shuttle or trolley service in concept, but stopped short of a financial commitment.
The Newcastle Depot Committee hopes to establish daily trolley service to Damariscotta and Newcastle and include the Twin Villages in a shuttle loop with stops in the Boothbay region and Wiscasset.
The committee plans to solicit donations, sell advertising space and apply for grants to fund the service. Country Coach Charters LLC, of Nobleboro, would operate the service.
The cost of the service could range from $12,000 to $50,000 for the season, according to Damariscotta Town Manager Matt Lutkus, who asked the selectmen to invest $3,000 in startup money.
The potential benefits of the service, both to businesses and residents, would justify the expense, Lutkus said, and the support could spur additional investment.
The selectmen were hesitant.
“If Newcastle is going to pitch in some funds, we’ll pitch in some funds, but we’re not going to do it by ourselves,” Chairman Josh Pinkham said.
The topic is on the agenda for a joint meeting of the Damariscotta and Newcastle Boards of Selectmen at 6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 27 at the Newcastle town office.
Maine Eastern Railroad, which operates the Brunswick-Rockland rail line, will include the Newcastle station as a regular stop on its weekend passenger trains this year. Passenger rail service will begin July 4 and continue through Columbus Day weekend.
