Dear Editor:

The contract for Option 2 that is being offered by the MDOT folks will be lethal for taxpayers in Wiscasset. Ignoring all other factors that are potentially negative, this final one is terrible. The state of Maine will only maintain the traffic lanes and shoulders in the Village. Nothing else. Wiscasset will be responsible for the maintenance of the traffic signals and street lights, including keeping them maintained with the latest technology and including the electric bill to run them. There will be year-round maintenance of the sidewalks, and all things on them, including benches, seats, tables, landscaping, and trash cans, and, of course, snow removal. The town will also have to maintain all parking lots with annual renovation and repair as needed, including annual repainting of the crosswalks and striping of parking lots.

All of these elements will be on the backs of the taxpayers. This will be on top of the perhaps 14 percent tax increase for next year. Where will the money come from for all of these additional expenses? If these things are not done or are not paid for by the town then the state can and will do what they think we need and then take the money out of the Wiscasset school budget, among other sources. So we will pay one way or the other!

One curious reference in their proposed agreement refers to “anticipated increased traffic queues resulting from the new traffic signals.” Are they kidding? Isn’t easier traffic the prime excuse for this?

Is this really what you voted for? MDOT, for some reason, is in a huge hurry to get a cooperative agreement signed. I wonder why. This is NOT the agreement that was voted on in the “non-binding agreement” in June.

Ted Talbert

Wiscasset