Is Wiscasset business friendly? Ask the new businesses in town: Papa’s Geppetto’s Toys & Treasures, Fenique Boutique, Mac’s Place, Possibilities Salon, Steele’s Landscaping, Kidz Closet, Chapter 11 Furniture, Twisted Iron Customs, Big Al’s Fireworks and Marianmade Farms Event Center. Ask the businesses that have expanded and/or relocated: Ames Supply, Monkey C, Monkey Do, Trucks by Norm, Coastal Electronics & Computer Services and Maine Coast Labs. Ask Wiscasset Speedway about overcoming environmental issues. These businesses relied on our planner to help them accomplish their goals.

Is there economic development in Wiscasset? Zoning restrictions have been an obstacle. Our planner was the prime mover for recent changes to the zoning restrictions in Village 1, Village 2, and Route 1 Commercial zones. Route 1 businesses are beginning to grow. Our planner’s involvement in the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission was instrumental in receiving a grant to perform a market study in support of bringing a pharmacy to Wiscasset. Our planner brings a degree of leadership to the Bath Road Master Plan Committee coping with the challenges of growing a vital commercial corridor while dealing with traffic issues. Our planner is a member of the Board of Directors of the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce, directly promoting business activities in the area. Our planner continues to be involved not only in developing resolution of the Mason Station issues, but also in developing alternatives to support the Rynel/Molnlycke expansion in Wiscasset. We believe there is economic development in Wiscasset.

Wiscasset has an exceptional asset in our current planner. She has been interviewed by local news media (Channel 6 News) and worldwide news media (The Asahi Shinbon Globe). She brings a degree of professionalism to the town when it is most needed. In addition to providing a service to both the ordinance review committee and the planning board, it is obvious that her efforts at economic development have begun to make a difference.

Our planner was given a layoff notice after the June vote when this budget article failed. The planner is a key element necessary for Wiscasset to grow and prosper and yet preserve the character of the community. The total budget for the planning department was actually reduced from last year by $291. The planner position in Wiscasset oversees many functions, including economic development, planning review, ordinance development, and long-term planning.

Our planner does all of these functions for a salary which is less than those in surrounding communities. We are fortunate to employ an individual with the education and the experience necessary to make a difference in our community. Failure of this article can have a significant effect on the future of Wiscasset. How do you see Wiscasset in the future? This decision is about growth and prosperity. If you want things to change and improve you vote yes. There are those who would reduce the effort for the town planner at the very time when that effort is most required. As the economic climate changes, we must have the ability to respond as changes present themselves.

Vote yes on the Municipal Planning Question 2.

Absentee ballots are now available. You can vote at your convenience at the town office. Voting at the polls will be on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Please vote.