As soon as parking lot talks turned to funding the Damariscotta project, one thing became clear: Paying for parking, even if allowed, would never be a popular option in the Twin Villages.

On November 21, more than 60 people showed up for the second installment of the parking lot talks at the Great Salt Bay Community School, which was cosponsored by the towns of Damariscotta and Newcastle.

Where the November 13 meeting focused mainly on options for the future of the lot, the November 21 meeting was centered on where the money would come from.

Ideas ranged from fundraising to bumper stickers to bonding the project, which depending upon amenities and scope could cost anywhere from $400,000 to $2.5 million. A vote at town meeting would be needed to pass funding, but the project is merely in developmental phases.

While most in the crowd seemed to agree that something needed to be done, the crowd was split on where the money should come from.

One idea, which was first brought forth in a 2013 study done by Dr. Michelle Stutzman, was to turn the free lot into a pay-for-parking lot, with different rate structures for locals and visitors.

That plan drew derision from several of the downtown business owners and employees, including Bob Reny.

Reny said the parking plan was flawed and that if people had to pay for parking, they might not even stop in the Twin Villages. He took a special exception towards the idea of penalizing tourists.

“We're lucky to have summer visitors,” he said. “Without them, none of us would have work. If we start charging for parking, Damariscotta will just become a roadblock for people trying to go somewhere else.”

Reny said that in his personal experience people were more likely than not to keep driving than have to pay for parking.

“I think most people would rather spend $20 in gas than pay for the ($1 dollar fee) for parking,” he said.

Bristol's Diane Silar said that before anything is done, more details need to be given to the town.

“If I'm going to remodel or redecorate a kitchen, first I want to know how much money I have to do it with and where that money is coming from,” she said.

But, if the town is going to spend money, it shouldn't shy away from opportunity to make a big difference, Barnaby Porter said.

"We shouldn't be afraid to do something remarkable," he said. "This is our chance to do something special. Damariscotta is the gateway to two or three peninsulas."

Porter said Newcastle and Damariscotta should do what they have always done: raise funds. He pointed to several examples, including the newly-built Skidompha Library.

“Damariscotta is more than just 2,000 people,” he said. “The money is there; people care. They love this place.

“We just need to think big-picture. First, maybe we should call it the Historic Waterfront Enhancement Project.”