The state Dept. of Conservation explained how its funds could be used in providing for Westport Island’s matching funds for the recent state grant it received.
Local residents have been challenging First Selectman George Richardson on the issue of $20,000 in matching funds for a $50,000 SHIP (Small Harbors Improvement Program) grant the town received and requested information under the state Freedom of Access law.
George Powell, director of the Boating Facilities Division of the Dept. of Conservation’s Bureau of Parks and Lands, said in an email to state Dept. of Transportation (DOT) the engineer working for his program and with the town asked him if $20,000 of his grant of $258,000 could be used a match for the SHIP grant.
“I advised that it could,” Powell said. “I am unclear whether I was saying that it could be used according to my program’s policies and practices or if I was giving an opinion about what the SHIP program would allow.”
In a response to Powell, Robert Elder of the DOT, said, “To the best of my knowledge, we have used the grants of other state agencies to fulfill the local match requirements of the SHIP program.”
Powell informed Stephen DeWick of Pine Tree Engineering of Bath, which has been working on the town landing project, requested additional $2195 in fees, which Powell said the charges for changes the town requested as preferences would be acceptable to his program as long as all costs to implement the changes come out of the grant amount.
DeWick said the changes pertaining to septic and float issues would require a change in his contract with the state and Powell responded in a letter, saying, “I would like to know that we have anticipated any other changes that are likely to occur for which you will be seeking compensation…”
Resident Jon Williams, who requested information under the Freedom of Access Act was invited to attend the Monday meeting but was not present during the session Monday, which took up the matter he has taken issue about in emails to the board.
During the discussion Richardson said Ames Supply hardware store in Wiscasset has donated a chipper for the project.
Land use issue
In other business at their regular meeting Monday, the board mentioned a court case involving removal of junk from the property of Joseph and Cary Huggins, who failed to make a deadline the town set for the work.
Richardson said the couple has been issued a summons to appear in Wiscasset District Court to answer the town’s complaint. Failure to appear would mean a judgment by default could be rendered against them.
The couple will have to pay expenses for removing the items from the property and legal fees associated with it because they did not comply with the removal of the junk and get back to the board about it, he said.
“We’re trying to get a court date for his appearance,” Richardson said.
School unit discussion
The board discussed the new proposed Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 budget totaling $26.4 that voters will discuss and vote on at Windsor School on Saturday at 10 a.m. The meeting, which will be conducted like a town meeting at which voters from the RSU towns can participate, will decide the final amount people will vote on at a referendum on Tues., Sept. 29. (See Wiscasset schools story in this issue on tax impact for Westport Island, Alna, and Wiscasset.)