For years when people thought of Wiscasset, they thought of the old schooners, the Hesper and Luther Little beached at the waterfront. What was left of them was demolished over 20 years ago.

Peter Wells of Federal Street told the select board Tuesday night, he wants to bring back the two old ships if only for a day or two. Wells and Jorge Pena want to hold a community-wide celebration, Wiscasset Schoonerfest. 

Wells said he hopes to involve the high school, library, yacht club, local artisans, history buffs and others in the planning. “We hope to collect memorabilia, build miniature models of the ships, maybe even have a Lego version of them, all of which would be on display downtown and at the waterfront,” he said. “We want to both tell and celebrate the story of the Hesper and Luther Little, the last of the four-masted schooners.”

Wells told the selectboard he’d shared plans with the waterfront committee, historic preservation commission and public works director. Wells added, it wouldn’t cost the town anything. The event would be held in mid-August.

Selectboard Chairman Judy Colby suggested before moving forward Wells should touch base with the police department. She also asked him to keep the board updated, otherwise the selectboard was in favor of Well’s plan and wished him success.

Also Tuesday, the selectboard agreed to allow Maine’s First Ship based in Bath to berth its ship Virginia at the Wiscasset waterfront over the winter. Richard Forrest of Wiscasset said the group plans to launch the ship being built in Bath in October.

“Some board members want to keep the ship there on the Kennebec River, others would prefer to see it berthed here at Wiscasset because the Sheepscot River remains ice free,” he said. The Virginia is a replica of the first English-built ship in Maine which was constructed at the Popham Colony in 1607. Forrest said Maine’s First Ship will pay docking fees and for any electricity used if it decides to berth its ship at Wiscasset. Selectmen approved the request.

The selectboard approved the revised pier policy that included increases in vendor permit fees.

Wiscasset’s endowments and reserve funds managed by the Portland-based investment firm of H.M. Payson & Co. had a market value at the close of Jan. 31, totaling over $15 million. The town’s endowment accounts totaled $3.66 million with reserve accounts amounting to a little over $12 million.

The selectboard renewed the town’s auditing contract with William H. Brewer & Co. of Bath. The cost was $19,300 for this year’s services, $19,500 for next year, and $19,800 for the final year of the three-year contract.

In his monthly report, EMS/EMA Director Dennis Simmons reported 59 ambulance calls in January,  including 38 in Wiscasset, 10 to Dresden and four to Westport Island. Simmons noted Lina Wallace successfully completed her paramedic training and is now licensed as a paramedic.

Police Chief Lawrence Hesseltine reported the department responded to 655 calls in January, including 14 motor vehicle accidents and 78 motor vehicle stops. Arrests and summons included three for OUI, two for failure to register a motor vehicle, two warrant arrests and two arrests for shellfish violations. Hesseltine told the selectboard, the department has made 31 arrests so far this year.

Fire Chief Rob Bickford noted in his monthly report, the department answered eight calls in January including a car fire and two motor vehicle accidents. Seven calls were in Wiscasset; the other, Edgecomb.

Appointments included Don Jones and Elizabeth Maxwell to the Appearance of the Town Committee and Jason Putnam to the Comprehensive Planning Committee. A public hearing for renewal of a liquor license for Carla Chapman, dba The Cubby Hole at 213 West Alna Road was postponed until March 3.

Weather permitting, the budget committee will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27.