Wiscasset Interim Town Manager Don Gerrish announced at the board of selectmen’s meeting May 6 the town will begin the town manager search, starting again from scratch.
The new search will drop the residency requirement for the position, Gerrish said. The town has been searching since February for a new town manager. The candidates were down to two finalist when the selectmen decided to start over again.
“So that means I will be around a little longer,” Gerrish said.
The selectmen hired the Eaton Peabody consulting firm last January to help in the search for a new town manager. Selectman Judy Colby said the firm will continue to work with the town in the search.
The new town manager will be expected to participate in town events, but not be required to live in the town, Gerrrish said.
Public Comment
Wiscasset resident George Green asked the selectmen to reconsider the removal of the large fur tree in front of Wiscasset Fire Department. Green suggested trimming the tree from the bottom up about nine feet to see if it would help with the site distance before taking it down.
Budget committee member Bob Blagden, speaking as a taxpayer, told the selectman the town is facing a 25 percent tax increase and suggested the everyone look again and again at the budget and try to reduce it.
Ben Rines expressed his concern that four of the five selectmen are not applying to the wishes of the people..”If you put your budget to a referendum vote, it would not pass, that is why you are having an open town meeting. I don’t know why you call it an open town meeting, it is very restrictive,” Rines said.
William Barnes said, “You are putting the tax burden on the people and taking their right it vote away,
The selectmen replied by reminding the group it was not the municipal budget that was creating the increase in the taxes, it is the school budget that was going to create the increase.
Gerrish said last year Wiscasset was assessed by the RSU $5.1 million, The new school proposed budget is 6.9 million, up $1.8 million from last year’s RSU assessment.
In other business
Following a public hearing to amend a special amusement permit for Twisted Iron Customs, the selectmen approved the amendment allowing Twisted Iron Customs to have their events on the first Friday of the month instead of the first Wednesday of the month.
The selectmen approved Robert Jones, and Ridgeback Pottery as a vendor on the Main Street Pier. They also approved Ron Leeman and Forgotten Recipes as a vendor on the Main Street Pier.
The selectmen approved a request from First Congregational Church to use the town common for the Annual Summerfest on July 26.
Selectmen signed the June 10, election ballot for the election of town officials.
Joan Barnes was appointed as election warden and Susan Blagden was appointed as deputy warden by the selectmen.
Property tax abatements will be heard, Tuesday, May 27, at 7 p.m.
The next selectmen’s meeting will be held Tuesday,, May 20, at 7 p.m.
