Wiscasset selectmen

Changes in Wiscasset’s Board of Selectmen prompted a number of changes in how the board will do business Tuesday night.

Bob Blagden was elected chairman, replacing David Nichols, the incumbent who was defeated in the June 9 election. The other new member of the board is Pam Dunning. Former selectman Nicole Viele, who was also defeated in the last election, attended the meeting. Several residents praised the work that both Nichols and Veile have done for the town during their terms.

Among the changes agreed to were switching back to meeting every Tuesday night instead of every other Tuesday; Blagden, Dunning and DiVece voted in favor, while selectmen Bill Curtis and Bob Fairfield voted against it. Town Manager Arthur Faucher favored keeping the status quo. In another split vote, Curtis and Fairfield opposed allowing the public to speak to each agenda item, while Blagden, Dunning and DiVece voted in favor. That move brought a strong round of applause.

Former selectman Ben Rines, Jr. congratulated the new board members, saying, "What a difference an election makes." But he chided the town for not posting warrants of town meetings with the correct wording. Blagden promised to follow up on it. Rines said he will accept, temporarily at least, a seat on the budget committee, having learned he received four write-in votes. He said he wanted to be on the committee at least for awhile to get more information on the town’s finances.

The board agreed to pay transfer station supervisor Ron Lear $45,000 after completing his performance evaluation. Four selectmen voted in favor, DiVece voted against, saying Lear is "doing a fine job" but he doesn’t this is the time to be giving people raises.

Harbormaster Peter Dalton received assurances from the board that the four vendors approved to use space at the Creamery Pier will not have to be approved again by the new board. Dalton said "individuals" upset the vendors this week by taking photos of the electrical system. He would not give the names. Bob Fairfield said he knows who they are.

Bids were opened on trash trailers, ranging from about $52,000 to $75,000. The board tabled action until more information can be gathered on the condition of the existing trailer and what it would cost to fix it.

Kelly Busler got approval to set up a taxi stand to use during the summer. The board tabled action on renting the superintendent’s office building to RSU 12 until they find out what the rent should be. Faucher said it is costing the town about $850 a month.

After much discussion, the board agreed to table action on a request from the Montsweag Roadhouse to tie into the town’s sewer system until more information is available.

The board asked Faucher to write a policy on comp leave for town employees, to be reviewed in two weeks. Former selectman Bill Barnes said he thinks comp time is being abused by some town employees.