Selectmen and the Wiscasset Historic Preservation Commission touched on a range of subjects including the Wiscasset Academy building Tuesday night.

Richard Thompson, the commission’s vice chairman, brought up the academy also known as the Red Brick Schoolhouse and now home to the Maine Art Gallery. Thompson shared with selectmen pictures showing some of the exterior work that’s needed. “We had someone who reached out to purchase or lease this building who offered to assume the maintenance of it,” he reminded the board.

In response, Selectmen’s Chairman Judy Colby said when the offer was received the building was already leased to the Maine Art Gallery. The non-profit group rents the building for a dollar a year. The five-year lease expires in 2019. “We hoped to visit the building to see what some of the needs were but couldn’t seem to fit it in this fall,” she added.

John Reinhardt, commission chairman, hoped selectmen might still visit the building. “A few years ago, the town raised money and replaced the roof of the Powder House. We’re only asking if we can’t maintain this important historic building as well,” he commented.

“We may have been a little lax the last few years in the upkeep of the building,” Selectman Ben Rines Jr. said. “We’re all committed to getting it back in A-1 shape.”

Grant monies might be available to cover some of the repair costs. Town Manager Marian Anderson said she would look into this.

The Maine Department of Transportation’s downtown project came up, as well. Reinhardt suggested selectmen add a commissioner to the project’s recently appointed Advisory Committee. Selectmen picked seven residents to serve on the committee on Nov. 15.

In response, Colby suggested the historic commission appoint one member to attend the meetings, adding all of the meetings would be open to the public.

Later, Gordon Kontrath, an alternate commissioner, said he wished the commission had been more involved at the outset of the downtown project. He wondered if voters had picked Option 1, MDOT’s proposal retaining parking on Main Street, if these discussions would even be taking place.

“The majority of voters said yes to Option 2 and we have signed off on the letter of intent,” Colby said. “If people have an issue now, they’ll have to go to MDOT with their concern or to the Advisory Committee.” Selectman David Cherry noted Option 2 had won by more than a two-to-one margin.

“To me what’s critically important is getting input from you people. How do we keep and maintain the historical ambiance of our downtown. That’s the charge to you all, to work with the Advisory Committee and find a way,” Cherry said.

Kontrath said to be effective the commission needs to be on the “selectmen’s “A” list and not learn of things after the fact.”

Reinhardt reminded selectmen the commission was still one member short, adding he’d turned over two applications to the board a month ago. “I’d really like to have you act on this tonight,” he said.

Selectman Jeff Slack said he would interview the two applicants. A recommendation for filling the seat will be made at the board’s Dec. 6 meeting.

The meeting came to a close after an hour with selectmen voting 4-0 to have Town Planner Ben Averill review the historical preservation ordinance and offer suggestions on how it might be improved.