Plans for one, possibly two solar arrays on Wiscasset Municipal Airport property continue in the permitting phase, a consultant representing Cenergy told the Wiscasset select board Tuesday, Sept. 15. Before the town signs off on the project, former selectman Ed Polewarczyk wants the board to consider the project’s long term financial impact.

Stephen Barrett of Barrett Energy Resources Group of Concord, Massachusetts introduced himself as a consultant representing Cenergy, the California-based group proposing a solar farm. The project was first proposed a year ago. Since then Barrett said the developers have met with Federal Aviation Administration officials and state agencies including the Department of Environmental Protection.

Both Bowdoin and Colby colleges and public schools in Falmouth and Waterville have expressed an interest in buying power generated by the planned Wiscasset solar farm, Barrett said. The town, too, could opt in to join through a power purchase agreement or buy energy credits, he added.

Before the Cenergy project can begin, it will need planning board approval, he said. He offered to discuss the financial benefits to the town in greater detail at a future meeting. The project involves clearing 40 acres of wooded land adjacent to the airport.

Following Barrett’s presentation, Polewarczyk provided the select board with six pages of comments. He said the project would clear-cut 40 acres of mature forest land. “An acre of forest removes 2.5 tons of CO2, a greenhouse gas, from the air annually; 70 acres removes 175 tons of CO2 per year,” he said. He said this is a 30-year commitment for the town and the select board needed to understand all the financial aspects of the contract before signing off.

Polewarczyk wondered why the solar farm developers chose the airport property when there was plenty of other land nearb including the Maine Yankee property, the former Mason Station property on Birch Point and the former landfill behind the transfer station.

Town Manager Dennis Simmons said the town has sought legal counsel on the Cenergy proposal. “We will do our due diligence on this,” he promised Polewarczyk.

The select board will meet Tuesday, Sept. 22 to set the 2020 tax commitment. Simmons said the board could not do it until after the Sept. 17 special town meeting to reconsider the parks and recreation budget.

Following a brief public hearing, selectmen unanimously adopted the 2020-2021 General Assistance Ordinance. Copies are available at the town office.

Wiscasset investment funds managed by HM Payson of Portland gained $436,189 last month bringing reserve funds to $12.26 million at the close of the stock market July 31. Endowment funds gained $147,380 over the same period and stood at $3.82 million.

The board authorized Simmons to file an application on behalf of the Waterfront Committee seeking state grant monies to install a marine pump-out station. Because this is state-funded, the town cannot charge boaters for the service; the town is responsible for 10 percent of the estimated $30,000 installation cost. Appointments included Tom Kovarik of Ice Pond Lane to the Investment Advisory Committee. Kovarik noted on his application, he has 18 years of experience as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch.

Selectmen adopted an updated sexual harassment policy.

Monthly departmental reports

Deputy EMS/EMA director Erin Bean reported Wiscasset EMS is the lowest paid ambulance service in the area by three to five dollars per hour. “This has put a strain on our overtime budget, due to the lack of providers filling shifts,” she wrote. Wiscasset Ambulance Service responded to 69 calls in August, 52 in Wiscasset, nine Dresden, four Westport Island and two each to Boothbay Harbor and Boothbay.

Police Chief Lawrence Hesseltine reported the police department made 671 calls in August. Police conducted 221 motor vehicle stops resulting in 138 citations. Hesseltine stated 35 arrests were made that included charges of domestic violence, driving to endanger, assault, drug possession, operating under the influence and endangering the welfare of a child.

The fire department responded to 27 calls last month, eight motor vehicle-related. Mutual aid calls were made to Alna for a motor vehicle accident and to Woolwich for a car fire.

Public Works Director Ted Snowdon said the transfer station is still running with COVID-19 guidelines restricting the building to two vehicles at a time with the use of masks and social distancing recommended.

Parks and Recreation Director Duane Goud noted Wiscasset Community Center continues taking reservations for After School Adventures and remote learning camp days. Youth soccer and karate programs are open for registration. The WCC pool, gym and fitness room are open by reservation. The Senior Center remains closed.

The next regular meeting of the select board is Oct. 6 after a 6 p.m. special town meeting in the community center gym. The board has also scheduled a public hearing that night to consider renewing a fireworks permit for Big Al’s on Route 1.