A question on the town ballot for the November 6 election asking voters for the second time if they want to accept the Montsweag Dam has not gone over well with some residents.

On June 12, Wiscasset voters said yes to accept the Montsweag Brook 22 acres of land and dam from Central Maine Power Company with $100,000 for its maintenance. On November 6, the voters will be asked again if they are sure that is what they want to do.

The selectmen decided in a recent meeting to put the question before the voters again, because they felt the voters did not have all the information they needed to make that decision.

Wiscasset resident Dick Hansen said there was no need to build a road from the Woolwich side of the property because it could be accessed from the Wiscasset side. “There is no need to build a road for $60,000.”

Hansen reminded the selectmen that a state official had inspected the dam and confirmed that the concrete portion of the dam was in good condition.

“This is no way to treat the citizens; they spoke on June 12,” said Hansen. He told the board that if the people speak and the board doesn’t like it, they are asked to vote again. “It just isn’t fair.” Hansen said. “The board did not do their research.”

Wiscasset resident Cliff Hendricks told the board he believes it would serve the town well to accept the property. “Not to accept the property would be a mistake for the town.”

Wiscasset resident Robert Blagden said, “Take it off the ballot and let the June 6 vote stand. There is nothing there that is going to require heavy equipment. The cost of the road that is not needed is only being used to confuse the people.”

Town Manager Laurie Smith pointed out when the issue of maintaining the embankments came up; access for heavy equipment from the Woolwich side became a problem. Although there are rights of way, they have not been laid out and the town would have to work with land owners. The potential cost to build a road for the equipment to get into the Woolwich side of the dam could cost upward to $60,000.

According to the state inspector the buildup of trees and brush had compacted on the embankment on both sides of the dam and they would need to be removed, and gravel brought in to build up the embankment.

However, according to Hansen, Hendricks and Blagden, there would be nothing there that would require getting heavy equipment in there that would require a $60,000 road.

Selectman Pam Dunning told the residents the selectmen were unable to remove it from the ballot, since absentee ballots had gone out. However, she said, “I believe the citizens will vote to accept the property.”

Public hearings

Two public hearings were held Tuesday evening. The purpose of the first public hearing is for the town looking into obtaining a loan/grant in the amount of $1.1 million to upgrade the town’s sewer system.

The second public hearing was to adopt the General Assistance Appendix C regarding an increase in the overall housing maximums.

Other business

Susan Blagden was appointed as election warden, and Joan Barnes was appointed deputy warden.

The selectmen approved the renewal of Automobile Graveyard and or Junk yard licenses for Blagden’s Garage, Jim’s Auto Trim. Pro Body Works, Grover Auto & Tire and Norm's Used Cars.

Bids were open for the Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Pool Blanket cover. The town clerk and the Recreation Director Todd Souza will review the bids and award the bid to the lowest qualified bidder.

The town will request local realtors to make a proposal on contracting with the town to sell the former superintendent’s office off of the Gardiner Road.

The Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit will hold a public hearing on the proposed cost sharing formula change Tuesday, Oct. 23, at the Wiscasset High School at 6:30 p.m. The proposed change will be voted on November 6.

Charlotte Boynton can be reached at 844-4632 or cboynton@wiscassetnewspaper.com.