Wiscasset selectmen on Jan. 21 heard from several residents concerned about conditions on sidewalks and streets. The residents spoke during public comment.

Dan O’Connell voiced concern over conditions of the sidewalks on Water Street on the south side of Main Street. “Sarah’s takes care of the snow on the sidewalks in front of their restaurant, but there are vacant properties on Water, and ice and snow is building up. We want people to park in the lots on Water Street, but it’s not safe for people to use the sidewalks, and they have to walk in the street,” he said.

Cynthia Pappas said she has a dog who needs extra exercise, and it is hard to walk him due to the ice and snow. Kathleen Kennedy said she has seen dangerous situations on Middle Street. “People turn because of the parking signs, but they drive right past the small lot behind Treats, and then they sometimes back up right in the street and turn around,” she said. “The parking signs are misleading.” She was concerned that drivers don’t always see walkers when the motorists are trying to maneuver on Middle Street.

In other public comments, Susan Blagden asked that the public look at Wiscasset Public Library’s new manufactured slate tiles that are going on the roof. Katie Bryant thanked Jackie Lowell for her work keeping minutes for the selectmen. Terry Heller of the Appearance of the Town Committee and Beth Maxwell of the Garden Club of Wiscasset discussed the club’s plans for financing planting and maintenance of the proposed flower baskets on Main Street. Heller said it was important to carry forward the enthusiasm generated by the Christmas decorating on Main Street. The two asked the town for $851 for brackets for the light posts, and permission to execute a contract with Hawkes Landscaping to plant and maintain the baskets. Town Manager John O’Connell said he would check with Maine Department of Transportation to make sure it is OK for the town to install the brackets. The matter was tabled until Feb. 4.

Former wastewater treatment plant director, now consultant, Rick Gaeth, said he negotiated a contract with Oliver Engineering for $110,000, with another $15,000 in reserve. Selectmen voted 5-0 to give O’Connell the authority to execute the contract.

In a matter from the last meeting on Jan. 7, Wiscasset Municipal Airport Manager Rick Tetrev obtained information about the consequences the town could face if it does not act on the lease for a potential hangar at the airport. Due to economic situations over the term of the lease, and the opening of free hangars at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, the market for hangars at the Wiscasset airport collapsed, according to Don Falvey. However, Falvey had already invested a great deal in the pre-construction development of the site. Falvey had negotiated the lease down from $13,623.43 to $1,000 over several years with the selectmen and the airport committee, but the Federal Aviation Administration, which had approved the initial amount, was never consulted about the decrease. Some of the consequences for not addressing the issue could include having grants withheld, civil penalties, or judicial enforcement. Selectmen voted 5-0 to inform Falvey that if he wishes to keep his lease, he will have to pay $13,623.43 per year for the remainder of his lease term, which expires in 2025.

Todd Farrin, new owner of Pro Body Works, received a new business license.

Changes to the subdivision and historic preservation ordinances were approved for the June town meeting warrant. Other ordinance revisions include the shoreland zoning revisions, which have been referred to the Department of Environmental Protection; a marijuana ordinance O’Connell said should be brought forward this year due to the pending legalization of recreational marijuana statewide; and a parking ordinance. O’Connell said he has considered the needs of a new development at the former Wiscasset Primary School. He said it would especially need a change to the residential density requirements to match the elderly congregate housing rules. The proposed development would include workforce rental housing, elderly housing, as well as supportive services onsite.

Selectmen approved budget meetings on Monday and Thursday evenings beginning on Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. The first meeting will consist of an overview, capital needs, and discussion of income. Future meetings will focus on the budgets of departments, including the police department, wastewater, EMS, parks and recreation, public works, the airport, the transfer station, administration, the town clerk, and finance.

The public meeting for the brownfields cleanup project at Mason Station is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at the town office.