On June 12, Wiscasset voters said yes to accept the Montsweag Brook 22 acres of land and dam from Central Maine Power Company with $100,000 for its maintenance. On November 6, the voters will be asked again if they are sure that is what they want to do.

The selectmen decided in a recent meeting to put the question before the voters again because they felt the voters did not have all the information they needed to make that decision.

Selectmen Ed Polewarczyk and Pam Dunning both said it would be a financial burden for the town to take over ownership of the property.

Selectman Judy Colby said the voters knew of the issues before they voted in June, “I see no reason to put it before the voters again,”  

During a May Selectmen’s meeting it was reported that a state official had inspected the dam and confirmed that the concrete portion of the dam was in good condition. However, the buildup of trees and brush had compacted on the embankment on both sides of the dam and they would need to be removed, and gravel brought in to build up the embankment.

Town Manager Laurie Smith pointed out when the issue of maintaining the embankments came up; access for heavy equipment from the Woolwich side became a problem.

Although there are rights of way they have not been laid out and the town would have to work with land owners. The potential cost to build a road for the equipment to get into the Woolwich side of the dam could cost upward to $60,000.

Former Selectman Bob Blagden asked the board, “What kind of equipment are you going to take in there that needs a $60,000 road? Isn’t there a road on the Wiscasset side?

“This is not new information, and this is not good information. You are threatening the town that this is going to cost them money. Give us specific information,” he said.

Dunning said, “I am not willing to take this piece of property for $100,000, when in the next 2 years we could spend $60,000 to build a road.”

Polewarczyk said, “I object to Blagden’s comments of threatening the people. We are giving them the opportunity to change their minds. If they decide to accept the property then we will deal with it.”

Town Attorney Dennis Jumper, who was at that meeting in May, said the deed from Central Maine Power (CMP) could include the two rights of way, wherever they may be, on the Wiscasset side of the dam, or if the rights of way are impractical, CMP agreed to work constructively to locate other access through CMP property,

Public hearing on ordinances

Wiscasset Town Planner Misty Gorski got married this past weekend and her name is now Misty Parker. She out lined the changes in the changes in the Subdivision Ordinance and the Site Plan Review during the public hearing.

Polewarczyk said “I reinstate by objections to both ordinances, indicating they are strong in preventing adverse impacts to the community, but are weak in encouraging business or industry.”

There were no comments from the public on the changes to the ordinances.

Selectmen’s meeting

The selectmen held their meeting following the public hearing. Business that was transacted included:

• Selectmen approved MDOT plans to improve the pedestrian and vehicle safety on Route 1;

• Selectmen awarded the Spirit of America tribute to the volunteers of the Two Bridges Regional Jail;

• Selectmen signed Lincoln County Tax commitment;

• Selectmen to decide how to sell the former superintendent’s building at next meeting;

• Town officials will take their National Incident Management Training November 13;

• Selectmen voted to support National Breast Cancer Month;

• The selectmen went into two executive session: to discuss labor negotiations; and to discuss personnel matters.

Charlotte Boynton can be reached at 844-4632 or cboynton@wiscassetnewspaper.com