The Wiscasset Board of Selectmen was split on approving the Wiscasset Airport Master Plan at their meeting June 3. With four selectmen present, the vote was 2-2. Selectmen Jefferson Slack and Pam Dunning voted in favor, and Selectmen Judy Colby and Ed Polewarczyk voted in opposition. Selectman Tim Merry was absent from the meeting.
An airport master plan is a long-range planning document used to review existing conditions and prepare forecasts that will define future aviation needs for the community. According to airport manager Ervin Deck, the Wiscasset Airport Master Plan is a 20-year plan, which is required from the Federal Aviation Administration for funding.
Stantec Consulting Services of Maine was hired to do an environmental assessment for alternatives to reduce obstruction for pilots at the Wiscasset Airport.
Gregg Cohen, senior environmental analyst, presented the draft environmental assessment to the selectmen and several members of the public prior to the regular selectmen’s meeting. The purpose of the presentation was to address the environmental impacts associated with the removal and lighting of existing obstructions to protect airspace purposed for Wiscasset Airport.
Cohen outlined two alternatives that would severely impact the Chewonki Campground with the removal of 61 acres of trees, with 45 acres off airport land, requiring 13 easements. Another option would require a clearing of 3 acres with three easements. Cohen said there is no doubt the Chewonki Campground would be impacted. The shade for about 20 of the campsites would be gone. However, he said there could be replanting, with trees that would not obstruct the runway.
Pam Brackett and her sister Ann Beck, owners of Chewonki Campground, asked the selectmen to please consider their business in their decision.
Ken Boundin, chairman of the airport committee, asked the selectmen to support the plan, “No one wants to see the campground business hurt, and everything possible will be done to ensure that doesn’t happen. This is just a master plan, nothing is etched in stone,” Boundin said. “We want to make it safe for everyone.”
Deck reminded the selectmen the obstructions are a serious safety issue that need to be addressed.
Wiscasset resident Dale Skillin urged the selectmen not to approve the master plan. He said it would destroy a business that has been there over 50 years.
Polewarscyk suggested that the airport and the owners of Chewonki Campground get together and come up with something they can agree on.
Interim Town Manager Don Gerrish said, since the motion to accept the master plan failed because of a tie vote, it will be brought before the board again when there are five selectmen present.
The selectmen’s next meeting will be held Tuesday, June 17.
Maine Eastern Railroad new schedule
Representatives from the Maine Eastern Railroad attended the selectmen’s meeting to announce the new train schedule beginning in July though Oct. 12. The service will offer transportation from Brunswick to Rockland twice a day, with stops in Bath, Wiscasset, Newcastle, and Rockland.
The Maine Eastern train will arrive in Brunswick about a half-hour before the Amtrak Downeaster to allow travelers the opportunity of coming to Bath, Wiscasset, Newcastle, and Rockland.
The railroad has a caboose in Wiscasset to serve as ticket office for the summer. Tickets can also be purchased online.
DOT improvement proposals
The selectmen approved the agreement with Maine Department of Transportation for the proposed improvements to the Route 1 and Route 27 intersection and the pedestrian crossing and sidewalks.
The project will include a traffic light at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 27, a crosswalk from Bradford Road to Lee Street, and a crosswalk across Route 1 from the town office to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. It will also include sidewalks from Bradford Road to Washington Street and another sidewalk from the entrance of The Bank of Maine to the Lincoln County Courthouse parking lot.
Scholarship Awards
The selectmen announced that Kristen Cavanough was the recipient of the Lawrence B. Haggett Memorial Scholarship of $500, and Nathan Austin was the recipient of the General John and Jeanette French Scholarship of $1,000.
Town manager report
Gerrish reported that the town will have a Fourth of July parade, a concert at the waterfront, and fireworks.
The parade will start at 10 a.m., the concert at the waterfront will take place from 8-10 p.m., and the fireworks are scheduled for around 9 p.m.
Gerrish said the event is the result of the town staff working to make it happen. “I haven’t had the time to plan it. Thanks to the office staff and Police Chief Troy Cline, Wiscasset will have a Fourth of July celebration,” Gerrish said.
Gerrish told the board the town had received two bids for the Birch Point Raod Water Main replacement and sewer force main upgrade. Harold Warren Construction, of Chelsea, bid $1,041,604, and Harry C. Crooker & Sons Inc., of Topsham, $1,413,876. The selectmen authorized the town manager and wastewater treatment plant superintendent Buck Rines to review the bids and award the bid to the lowest qualified bidder.
Goodbyes
It was Selectman Ed Polewarczyk’s last meeting Monday evening, and each selectman said their goodbyes publicly. Gerrish ended the meeting commending Polewarczyk for his service to the town.
“People do not really know how much a selectman has to put into making things happen for a town. How much time is devoted to the town. It is not an easy job, but people do it for the betterment of the town,” Gerrish said. “I want to thank you for your service, and I have enjoyed working with you these past three months.”
Polewarczyk, holding the gavel to close the meeting, said, “I really hate to do this. I will now entertain a motion to adjourn.” The motion was made and Polewarczyk brought the gavel down to close the meeting.
