Wiscasset selectmen Tuesday night turned down an offer from BluePaint Development, LLC of Chicago, Illinois to acquire and develop residential lots on tax-acquired property adjacent to Mason Station.

In a Jan. 9 letter to the town, Todd Erickson stated plans for developing the former Point East Maritime property off Birch Point Road.

BluePaint’s website describes the entity as a private firm specializing in the development of single-family rental properties throughout the country. The website names Erickson as Chief Sustainability Officer covering the northeast, including overseeing projects from Pennsylvania to Maine.

According to Erickson’s letter, Phase 1 of the project would invest $2.4 to $2.6 million to build 13 energy efficient rental homes on the previously approved house lots numbered 37 through 49.

“The purchase of the sixth lot would trigger the Town’s application for funding to complete the proposed sewer expansion and upgrades engineered for the original Dept. of Environmental Protection approvals,” continues Erickson. The letter states additional development would follow over the next two to four years involving an estimated $45-to-$48 million, “based on the maximum planned unit density in the original DEP site plan permit.”

The firm proposes paying the town $6,000 per lot, plus permit and inspection fees, at the issuance of each building permit. “It is anticipated we will apply for 4 to 5 permits at a time,” states Erickson. The total purchase price is to be determined by final DEP approval of the remaining lots, he adds.

Erickson closes the letter by writing, “Time is of the essence.”

Selectmen showed little interest in BluePaint’s offer.

Chairman Judy Colby asked if the firm was asking to meet waith the board. “If the board so desires,” Town Manager Marian Anderson responded. The consensus was the board wasn’t interested. Afterward, Colby said she didn’t feel BluePaint’s offer would be of any benefit to the town. “If they’re interested in doing something they should make an offer to purchase the entire property.”

In other business, selectmen banned smoking on the grounds of the community center, at the community playground behind the superintendent of schools’ office and at Sherman Park near Wiscasset Elementary School.

The ban, requested by Parks and Recreation Director Todd Souza, includes e-cigarettes. “No smoking” signage will be posted at all three sites.

Selectman Larry Gordon asked for clarification on the board’s recent decision to grant Wiscasset police statewide arrest authority.

Police Chief Jeff Lange explained the state allows it as a way to better facilitate mutual aid among police agencies. “If for instance the sheriff’s department were unable to respond to an emergency call, one of our officers would be able to cover and have authority to make an arrest if it were necessary,” he said.

Selectmen hope to award the town’s new Boston Post Cane to the community’s oldest resident. Anderson will make the initial inquiry.

The board will begin work on the 2017-18 budget this Saturday in the hearing room from 8 a.m. to noon. The Budget Committee will be invited.