The selectmen received two bids for the installation of two 400 gallon Roth double wall oil storage tanks. The bid proposals will include the labor and additional materials necessary to install the two tanks.

Bids were received from David Sawyer of Wiscasset, and Mechanical Services from Augusta. Sawyer’s bid came in at $2,500 and the bid from Mechanical Services, $7,603.

Town Manager Laurie Smith will award the work to the lowest qualified bidder.

Because of the sufficient difference between the two bids, Smith will contact both bidders to go over the bids.

Real estate contract

Wiscasset selectmen will sign a 1-year contract with Nancy Carlton of Carlton Reality to sell the former school superintendent’s office on Route 27 at $139,900.

Carlton recommended the town sell the property as commercial instead of residential. The contract will pay the realtor 8 percent if sold as commercial and 5 percent if sold as residential.

Road striping

According to a memo from the town manager and Greg Griffin, the town Road Commissioner, over the past few years, the town has budgeted for limited road striping. Road striping only lasts a few years, and since some roads have been repaved the striping has not been repainted.  Some residents have expressed the striping provides a safety measure, especially on rural roads. Recently, residents have voiced concern about Bradford Road in particular.

Road Commissioner said his budget could handle some of the striping. He said striping cost about 10 cents per mile. Wiscasset has 22 miles of roads and the cost to strip them all would cost about $8,000. Griffin suggested the town rotating each year doing about seven and half miles a year.

The selectmen voted to rotate the striping each year, beginning with the Bradford Road this fall.

Koehling property interest waived

The Koehling property sale has been finalized for the purchase price of $25,000 with the amount paid in full, according to the town manager. However the selectmen were asked and approved waiving $11,564 in interest and lien cost.

In the Trio Software program interest continues to accrue on the past due taxes even when the town had acquired the property. According to the town manager the sale price did cover the principal taxes due and other expenses.

Town to replace transfer station trailers

The selectmen agreed the town needs to replace the 1991 trailer used to hold and transport single stream recycling to West Bath, with a compacter at an estimated cost of $25,000. The compactor was recommended by Ron Lear Transfer Station Superintendent.

The compacting system will require an annual operating cost of about $5,000 for the transport of the container to West Bath, and the town will no longer be required to transport the trailer. Town Manager pointed out the town would save money on gasoline and man hours.

The 1993 trailer used to deliver waste to PERC also needs to be replaced.  The cost to repair the 1993 trailer is estimated to be $16,000 to $22,000; the current value of the trailer is estimated to be $1,000 to $2,000.

The cost to purchase a new trailer is estimated to be about $60,000. The selectmen all agreed the town should not put any more money into repairs on the 1993 trailer.

The selectmen voted to have the town manager research the option of a lease purchase agreement for the compactor and new trailer, with payments spread out over a five year period.

Currently operations are being negatively affected by the loss of the 1993 trailer, according to Lear.

Huntoon Hill Beano/Bingo renewal

The Wiscasset selectmen voted to approve the renewal of the Huntoon Hill to operate Beano/Bingo and games of chance, consisting of sealed tickets for the year.  

Workshops planned

The town manager reported there will be a police workshop Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m.  There will be a fire workshop December 4, at 6 p.m.

Charlotte Boynton can be reached at 446-4632 or cboynton@wiscassetnewspaper.com.