Should Wiscasset sell Scout Hall? How about the former Wiscasset Academy that houses Maine Art Gallery? Selectmen March 28 mulled asking voters.

Selectman William “Bill” Maloney suggested asking. Maloney’s proposed language called for the properties to be sold “as is” and at “appraised market rate.” Chair Sarah Whitfield said due to the proposals being made “very midstream” in the budget process, and that timing not having been well-received by the public on past issues, she would most likely oppose adding those questions to the June warrant. 

“These seem like two big things,” Whitfield said. Continuing, she said Town Manager Dennis Simmons had mentioned the option of instead asking non-binding questions. “(So) it would not be a final decision ... We would have time for full public discussions,” Whitfield said.

“I would settle for that,” Maloney said.

Simmons added, an overwhelming result one way or the other would provide guidance and then, if the board wants to pursue the idea, there would be time to arrange binding town votes in November.

Simmons said he will need to see if the deeds have covenants that bar the town from selling the properties.

Selectman Terry Heller opposed Maloney’s questions. “I don’t understand why Bill is interested in selling off part of our heritage. I don’t think he really is. I’m not sure (why) this is so critical at this point,” she said.

“I didn’t say it’s critical, but it’s buildings we haven’t used,” Maloney said.

“The Maine Art Gallery is being used,” Heller said.

“We don’t use it – the town,” Maloney said. According to Maine Art Gallery’s lease, signed last year and which runs until March 31, 2042, MAG has been in there six decades and has first refusal “to meet any bona fide offer of sale.” Maloney’s proposed warrant article about the property stated Maine Art Gallery would have first refusal. In an interview March 29, he added, “This does not preclude rent to own.”

Reached March 29, Heller said she also opposes putting the non-binding questions on the warrant, “because I don’t think they’re even good questions to ask.”

Earlier in the night’s nearly three hours of budget talks at the town office and on Zoom, participants continued mulling MAG’s requests for two capital reserve taps. According to Wiscasset Newspaper files, MAG’s board of directors has, for exterior work, requested $28,800 MAG plans to match with grant funds it anticipates; and requested $40,000 to recondition wood-framed windows the town installed in 1990.

Selectman Dusty Jones did not think the lease allows fulfilling those requests. Whitfield said, based “on the spirit and the language” of the lease, she supports putting the $28,800 question on the warrant; but not the $40,000 one because she believes selectmen should talk further about whether or not to include the building in the town’s capital plan.

Simmons told the select board it will approve the warrant April 18, the date nomination papers for elections are due. The board and the budget committee decided their recommendations on some warrant items March 28, including these proposed capital reserve taps: updated computer systems, $20,000, selectmen 5-0, committee 6-0; revaluation, $300,000, selectmen, 5-0, committee, 6-0; Senior Center refrigerators, $5,000, selectmen, 5-0, committee, 6-0; public works department loader, $160,000, selectmen, 5-0, committee, 5-1; major culvert replacement, $50,000, selectmen, 5-0, committee 6-0; paving, $465,000, selectmen, 5-0, committee, 6-0; moving pump station controls, $87,000, selectmen, 5-0, committee, 6-0; and broadband, $183,300, selectmen, 5-0, committee, 5-1.

The budget committee, 1-5, did not recommend MAG’s requested $28,800 capital reserve tap and, 0-6, did not recommend the $40,000 one. Selectmen took no action on either after Jones requested time to review the lease.