The Maine Department of Transportation has scheduled paving for late this summer to repair Route 144 between Route 1 in Wiscasset and West Shore Road on Westport Island.

This information was provided in a letter from State Sen. Christopher Johnson, read at the Westport Island Selectmen's June 18 meeting.

People who travel down Route 144 have been complaining about the condition of the road since 2010, describing the road as extremely deteriorated and dangerous.

On June 12, Island residents Judy and Chuck Reeves wrote to Johnson expressing their concern that due to the state of the road first responders might experience difficulty reaching victims. "The road is in horrible condition," they said in their letter to Johnson.

The Reeveses also sent a copy of a letter that former Sen. David Trahan and State Reps. Bruce MacDonald and Less Fossel sent to DOT Commissioner David Cole in 2010 requesting funding to repair Route 144.

According to Johnson the paving for Route 144 is scheduled to take place between Aug. 27 and Oct. 5.

Other business

The selectmen awarded a contract for mowing the town office and town hall grounds to David Lutz of the "Play with Dirt Company" for $25 every 10 days, as needed or as requested for the town office grounds, and $35 every 10 days, as needed, or as requested for the town hall grounds.

Lutz was also awarded the contract to mow the town roads for $1,400 with the work to be done before Sept. 8.

Selectmen George Richardson said that Lutz did the work last year and had not increased the price.