Something new but with a vintage look will soon be taking shape at Wiscasset’s historic Sunken Garden. The select board will allow an open-air pergola and two arbor arches.

Terry Heller chairs the selectmen’s Committee on the Appearance of the Town. Heller led the effort to add the freestanding pergola that will provide a shaded sitting area and give climbing plants a structure on which to grow. Two arched arbors will also be added in the garden, which is downtown at the corner of Main and Federal streets across from the post office.

In approving the proposal, the board relied on a legal opinion that the deed permits structures. The small garden, maintained mostly by volunteers, is open to the public. The Sunken Garden was a gift to the town from Wiscasset’s Sortwell family in 1958.

The decision came Tuesday evening, July 21. Instead of meeting at the municipal building, the board convened for the first time in the Wiscasset Community Center gymnasium, to accommodate more attendees while maintaining social distancing; the capacity there is limited to 35 people. Fewer than 20 attended.

Heller said Garden Club of Wiscasset plans to start the project immediately and complete it in the next few weeks. Sever Leslie of Wiscasset has offered to represent the Sortwell family and work with the landscaping contractor. Leslie said it was gratifying to have volunteers maintaining the grounds for residents and visitors from away to enjoy. “I commend these people who are willing to commit their time and money for this undertaking,” he said. The board voted unanimously to support the project. Still to be determined is if  a small storage shed can remain at the rear of the property.

Wiscasset voters can voice their opinion on the proposed $12 million, 2020-2021 municipal/school budget at a public hearing at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18 at the community center. The voting on the warrant articles and electing of town officers will be held Sept. 8 at the community center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wiscasset’s investment funds continue to recover following a spring downturn in the financial markets. At the close of the stock market June 30, the town’s capital reserve stood at $11.82 million – an increase of $178,304 over the previous month. The town’s endowment funds rose to $3.67 million, showing an increase of $53,675.

Erin Bean of Dresden was appointed interim EMS director. Bean has been deputy director for almost a year.

Parking problems

Select board chairman Judy Colby said there have been complaints Wiscasset Farmers’ Market is taking up too much parking at the waterfront. People launching boats have said there is no place to park their trailers.

“It’s something we’ll have to look into and discuss,” she said.

In May, based on the Waterfront Committee’s recommendation, the board unanimously approved the market’s return. The only change from last year was moving the day of the market from Thursday to Wednesday. The market, open from 3 to 6 p.m., has seven vendors who set up their tents in front of the building housing the harbor master’s office and public restrooms. The town’s two boat launches are on the opposite side of the parking lot.

Resident Judy Flanagan said she and her brothers, Chuck, Dean and Harry Shea, wanted to offer the town a gift of 20 wooden acres between Federal Street and Gardiner Road. The property, on a large hill known as Langdon Mountain, abuts the community playground and ballfield. The proposal will be discussed in more detail at a future meeting.

The transfer station continues operating under COVID-19 guidelines limiting the facility to two vehicles at a time and recommending the use of face masks. This and other June departmental reports are on the town’s website.

The meeting concluded with the board recognizing outgoing town manager John O’Connell for his service to the town. The board meets next at 5 p.m. Aug. 4, at WCC.