The Wiscasset Board of Selectmen meets Tuesday, June 19. From left: Selectmen Robert Blagden and Katharine Martin-Savage, recording secretary Jackie Lowell, Chair Judy Colby, Town Manager Marian Anderson, and Selectmen Benjamin Rines Jr. and Kim Andersson. (Charlotte Boynton photo)
The Wiscasset Board of Selectmen accepted the resignations of Police Chief Jeffrey Lange, Code Enforcement Officer Stan Waltz, and Harbor Master Levon Travis on Tuesday, June 19.
Lange’s resignation is effective July 26, Waltz’s June 29, and Travis’ June 30. The town is advertising the openings, according to Town Manager Marian Anderson.
White’s Island footbridges
Members of the Wiscasset Conservation Commission requested and received support from the selectmen to apply for a grant to replace the White’s Island footbridges.
Commission members Phil DiVece and Anne Leslie made a presentation to the selectmen. They said Steve Walker, of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, has offered to help prepare the application for a Shore and Harbor Grant from the state’s Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The cost to replace the footbridges has been estimated at up to $400,000.
The selectmen agreed that something has to be done with the footbridges, which have become a liability due to their deteriorating condition.
DiVece said that if the town doesn’t want to do anything, it could remove the bridges and allow the island to return to its natural state. Alternatively, the town could seek funding for the bridges and improve recreational opportunities on the island with walking paths and a canoe/kayak launch.
DiVece said the Maine Coast Heritage Trust is suggesting that a selectman, along with the conservation commission, work with the trust through the application process. The application must be submitted by July 27.
New Selectman Kim Andersson volunteered to represent the selectmen.
Selectmen to meet with school committee
Andersson suggested that the selectmen meet with the Wiscasset School Committee to discuss issues regarding funds transfers between the town and the Wiscasset School Department. The selectmen agreed to meet with the school committee as soon as possible.
Eminent domain at Chewonki Campground
The town has received letters from attorneys for the town and Chewonki Campground, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration, regarding the town’s effort to secure an easement from the campground in order to remove trees near the Wiscasset Municipal Airport runway.
The town manager told the selectmen she hopes there will be no need to proceed with the eminent domain process, which would require a vote of the people.
Streetlight on High Street
Wiscasset resident Susan Blagden asked the selectmen to do something about a streetlight on High Street that is much taller than the others on the street and has a very bright LED bulb.
Anderson said the light had to be replaced because it was hit by a car last January. An effort was made to replace the streetlight with one that would match the other lights on the street. However, because the lights were purchased and installed 32 years ago, they were no longer available.
The selectmen suggested modifying the streetlight to make it shorter, and having the road commissioner check to see if a different bulb could be installed.
PAC recommendation
Wiscasset Public Advisory Committee Chair William Maloney told the selectmen the committee is recommending the Spring City Lights for the Maine Department of Transportation downtown project. The selectmen accepted the recommendation.
The selectmen will review parking recommendations from the public advisory committee’s parking subcommittee, as well as the DOT’s parking recommendations and the police chief’s recommendations for parking fees.
The review will take place at the town office at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 14, and will be followed by a walk through town with members of the public, the selectmen, and a DOT representative.
Fourth of July celebration
Wiscasset’s Fourth of July 2018 theme is “Come Together.” As of June 19, 10 floats will appear in the parade, which will begin at 10 a.m The activities will include awards at the waterfront, a dunk tank to raise funds, the fire department’s hot dog stand, and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
Other business
The selectmen appointed Pamela Logan to serve on the Wiscasset Historic Preservation Commission. With Logan’s appointment, the commission has a full five-person contingent.
The selectmen approved a pier vendor permit application for Theresa Gray and Tom Harper to sell ice cream, candy, coffee, soda, and novelties.
The town received two bids for the town’s 2003 Ford ambulance and accepted the higher bid, for $1,022.
The selectmen received bids for paving and chip-sealing on Gibbs Road, Old Bath Road, and the Wiscasset Community Center driveway; for a truck for the Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Department; and for tree-clearing at the airport. The selectmen authorized the public works director and Anderson to review the bids and award each bid to the lowest qualified bidder.
The board elected Judy Colby chair and Benjamin Rines vice chair during a special meeting Thursday, June 14.
