The following is posted at Wiscasset.gov about the local questions voters will decide Nov. 4:

On November 4, 2025, voters will be asked to decide three municipal-related questions:

Article 2/Question 1

Shall the Town appropriate an amount not to exceed $325,000 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to be used to secure a $4 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for the purpose of upgrading the Wastewater Treatment system-wide infrastructure?

This Article provides matching funds to secure a $4,000,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, awarded through Congressionally Directed Spending, to make improvements to the wastewater treatment system. It will be combined with $200,000 previously approved for pump station control upgrades, and $340,000 in sewer impact fees.

In April of 2022, Olver Associates issued a final report of the Wastewater Pumping Stations Evaluation. Each of the town’s eighteen wastewater pumping stations was evaluated for its current condition and needs for upgrades, both present and future. The report noted different pump stations that have varying needs with different degrees of priority, with several pump stations listed as high upgrade priorities. Two of these are pump stations 3 & 4.

Pump station 3 is located on Rt 1 by Ward Brook and is one of the town’s most problematic locations. In 2003, this station was installed directly over an old 2,400-gallon station. This has proven to be too small for the flow coming from pump station 16, and it is frequently overloaded. To prevent spillage, we are often forced to contract with portable commercial septic haulers on an emergency basis, often under hazardous weather conditions. An overflow would result in a violation and fines from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. This pump station could benefit from a new, larger wet well, as well as the replacement of some of its suction and discharge piping.

Pump station 4, located on Gardiner Road by the new senior housing project, was originally installed in 1972 and was last upgraded in 1999. Due to the age of the pumps, the station is not operating efficiently, and it is prone to frequent settling of solids and debris, necessitating increased cleaning to minimize pump plugging and prevent station failure. The addition of the new senior housing center will also increase the amount of flow entering the station, putting an additional strain on an already stressed system. At a minimum, the station needs upgrades to its pumps and controls, and may require the installation of a new, larger wet well station.

This would also fund the upgrade of the electrical controls at pump stations 13, 14 & 16. The controls are located underground and date from the 1980s and 1990s. They are in very poor condition, and a failure of the controls could result in the pump station failing. Additionally, these upgrades would bring the controls above   ground. Underground controls pose a hazard to wastewater treatment personnel.

Article 3/Question 2

Shall Article X, Section 16, Solar Energy Conversion Systems, be amended?

This Article asks the voters to amend sections 16.6.1 (a)(b), 16.8.1.1, and 16.11.1 of Wiscasset Ordinance Article X Solar Energy Conversion Systems to remove the requirement that roof-mounted solar systems, other than those installed on single-family homes, undergo a full site plan review with the Planning Board.

Businesses that have sought to install solar panels on their rooftops have pointed out that they were required to bear additional costs, delays, and the burden of a full site plan review to do essentially the same thing a homeowner can do with a simple permit from the Code Enforcement Officer. After reviewing this issue, both the Town Planner and the Ordinance Review Committee agreed that the requirement was unnecessarily burdensome and inconsistent. The proposed change would allow all roof-mounted systems to be installed with a review and a permit from the CEO.

The review also considered ground-mounted solar systems, which can create impacts on the environment and neighboring properties regardless of size. For that reason, it was agreed and proposed that all ground-mounted systems, not just those over 4,200 square feet, should require a full site plan review by the Planning Board. All other provisions for review and requirements for installing solar systems under the solar ordinance would remain unchanged.

These changes were endorsed by the ORC and the Planning Board after a public hearing.

Article 4/Question 3

Shall Article VI, Zoning Summary of Permitted Uses, be amended?

Should Question 3 pass, it is necessary to amend Wiscasset Ordinance Article VI, Zoning Summary of  Permitted Uses, to reflect the changes.

A copy of the full ordinance is available at the town office and on the town website, highlighting the proposed

changes.