Wiscasset resident Don Jones asked the Wiscasset Board of Selectmen to correct what he said is an error in the spelling of Rumerill Road during the board’s meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Jones said the road was named to memorialize the Rumrill family that lived on the road in the 1800s and there is no “e” in the family name.
After discussing the issue and how a name change would impact the residents of the road, the selectmen entertained a motion to take no action on Jones’ request. That motion failed, 3-2, after a suggestion by Selectman Tim Merry to ask the residents of the road how they felt about it.
Selectman Pam Dunning told the board she had contacted the post office to ask what would happen if the town changed the spelling of the road. She was told the residents would not be delivered their mail unless they made out a change of address form and notified all companies they receive magazines and other mail from.
The name of the road was originally Rumrill, according to Dunning’s research. Somehow, over the past decade or so, an “e” got added.
Policy for ownership of burial lots
The selectmen postponed making a decision on a cemetery committee recommendation to adopt a policy on the repurchase and transfer of ownership of burial lots in Wiscasset’s municipal cemeteries.
Since the selectmen must approve the sale of cemetery lots, the policy being recommended by the cemetery committee proposes that the selectmen only approve repurchases back to the town. The proposed policy also recommends that the town pay the current rate per lot, even if it is higher than the original cost.
The selectmen will ask the cemetery committee to attend a future meeting to explain the proposal in more detail.
Chewonki tree cutting
Wiscasset Code Enforcement Officer Stan Waltz submitted a report to the selectmen on his findings on a tree-cutting project on property owned by The Chewonki Foundation.
According to Waltz’s report, Chewonki is following a harvest plan, with a total harvest around 15 acres of mixed growth timber.
“I have been to the site with the town planner and have no problem with the present harvest,” Waltz said in his report. “It is my opinion that Chewonki is doing a great job in their forest management practices and is diligent in seeing that operations are done by the highest standards.”
Bid opening for airport tractor
The town received six bids for a tractor for the Wiscasset Municipal Airport. The bids ranged from $14,675 to $18,782. The selectmen voted 5-0 to authorize the town manager to award the bid to the lowest qualified bidder.
Public comments
Wiscasset Budget Committee member Norm Guidoboni commended Town Manager Marian Anderson for attending the budget committee meeting last week.
“It took a lot of nerve for one women to come and face eight men, but she stood her ground and answered all the questions she was able to answer after being in Wiscasset for about four months. You did a wonderful job, and are to be commended,” Guidoboni said.
Wiscasset resident Steve Mehrl asked the selectmen if any consideration had been given as to what the town will do with the Wiscasset Primary School building after it closes.
Dunning said the selectmen have not discussed the issue.
Mehrl asked if it could be put on a meeting agenda soon.
Dunning said she would not want to put it on the agenda until the selectmen can meet with the Wiscasset School Committee to see when everything will be out of the school.
Mehrl also asked for an update on what was happening with the Mason Station property, suggesting a monthly letter be generated letting people know what is going on within the town.
Town Manager Marian Anderson told Mehrl she would be happy to prepare an update of activities regarding Mason Station.
Mehrl also told the selectmen the town didn’t need Gardiner Pond. Wiscasset Director of Parks and Recreation Todd Souza was interested in the town obtaining some land through a grant that would give public access to Gardiner Pond.
In memory and lasting tribute
The first motion in the selectmen’s meeting following the Pledge of Allegiance was made by Selectman Ben Rines, asking when the meeting close, it be closed in memory and lasting tribute to Wiscasset Police Officer Donald Smith. Smith passed away unexpectedly Jan. 7.
In closing the meeting, Dunning said, “We close the meeting in memory and lasting tribute to Officer Donald Smith. We appreciate his dedication to the town, his service in the police department and the fire department. The town appreciates his service and mourns his loss.”
