The Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission agreed to share services with the Midcoast Regional Planning Commission, which serves Knox and Waldo counties. The decision came at LCRPC’s Feb. 22 meeting in Wiscasset.

LCRPC will take on Geographic Information System work and some economic development assistance, while Midcoast planners will deal with Maine Department of Transportation billing, grant funding and other services, according to the proposed deal.

LCRPC also approved a draft letter to the Maine Department of Transportation to encourage it in the Route One Wiscasset project. The letter stopped short of endorsing the plan, but expressed hope the state would work through the planning and permitting phase to benefit Wiscasset and towns on either side of the Sheepscot River.

The commission also approved a letter to the county’s legislative delegation, expressing support for continuing state and federal funding for technical assistance to towns. Planner Robert Faunce said there appears to be an effort to combine National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration funding, which coastal Lincoln County receives to work on issues such as planning for sea level rise, with technical funding, which has historically helped inland communities. While the amount is small, towns such as Alna, Whitefield, Somerville and Jefferson have benefited and may be left behind on technical support; the letter was approved with amendments.

The commission discussed its 2017 annual meeting, including possible venues and speakers.