Dear Editor:

I wholeheartedly agree with the assistant editor’s July 25 editorial entitled “Pains of change.”

Wiscasset has attracted residents with impressive skills and knowledge in wide-ranging fields and it makes good sense to utilize that expertise when and where we can as a town. I’ve seen other small towns thrive because they’ve done just that, embrace the expertise of their residents. However, in Wiscasset there seems to be reluctance on the part of many newer residents to get involved. Maybe they feel their help isn’t really wanted.

In 2016, as selectmen named the Public Advisory Committee to work with MDOT, I wondered why they would pass over numerous qualified applicants particularly one with extensive experience managing highway construction projects. In 2017, after failing to dismantle the Historic Preservation Commission, but nonetheless severely hamstringing it, I wondered why selectmen refused to even consider the application of a qualified historic preservation specialist leaving the Commission to languish with two empty seats for many more months. I can only surmise that some who wield the power to appoint volunteers fear the opinions of experts may run counter to their own preconceived ideas. Why else would you ignore the most experienced among us?

So, while I agree that we should tap into the wealth of knowledge available in the community, unless and until those holding the reins are willing to allow that to happen, I imagine Wiscasset will continue to limp along, either doing without or complaining about the lack of expertise.

Kim Dolce

Wiscasset