Dresden restaurant owner Lenny Santos questions the board of selectmen’s intent to prohibit parking on the south bound lane of Route 27 along his business, Ship’s Chow Hall.

At their meeting on Monday, Oct. 20, selectmen discussed a draft of an ordinance following complaints they said they received from some residents about cars parked outside the restaurant.

“Why didn’t the town approach us in the first place,” Santos said in an interview with the Wiscasset Newspaper on Oct. 28.

Sheriff Todd Brackett visited the scene on Monday, Oct. 27, and did not see a problem; but he said the Maine Dept. of Transportation (DOT) considers sight-lines at intersections an important factor in deciding such parking ban issues.

“We’ve never received any complaints,” Brackett said in an interview this week. He mentioned Damariscotta, which has parking on both sides of the roads through the downtown where there are several intersections and stated that town had no problems.

Having no contact with Santos before drafting the ordinance, selectmen said they would invite Santos to attend their next meeting next Monday, Nov. 3, at which time they plan to enact an ordinance following an open discussion.

“There haven’t been any accidents in the five years we’ve been here,” Santos said, who also manages the business. “They’re making a big issue out of nothing.”

Santos said several disabled military veterans said they would have serious difficulty entering the restaurant if unable to park in front of the business. He said he serves many veterans who go to Togus Veterans Administration Hospital.

Santos said there are no signs, no lights and no handicapped parking. There are also no crosswalks in the Village section of town.

Last week selectmen said they had consulted with the DOT, which recommended no parking on the southbound lane for 215 feet to the north and 215 feet to the south.

Santos believes if the parking ban happens it could seriously affect his business, which is the only one like it in the immediate area.

However, Brackett said he advised the restaurant to have a letter from the DOT concerning the issues to take to the board meeting next Monday. He also recommended placing two or three handicapped space directly in front to the business.

Other options may be possible, Brackett said, that would be amenable to the town and the businesses other than no parking whatsoever; but Brackett said he is not a traffic engineer.

If the draft of the ordinance goes through, anyone parking in the prohibited area could receive a fee of as much as $100 and no less than $25, but could waive court action by paying a $15-dollar fee within seven days after he or she receives notice of the violation.

The small restaurant serves food, much of which comes from local businesses, such as, Eastern River Cattle Co., Tender Sole Farm, Goranson’s Farm and others.

It is open for business from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day except Wednesdays when it is closed.