Wiscasset selectmen and the economic development advisory committee Feb. 26 mulled how to find out which types of economic development residents want, and how, when and, in some cases, if, to put work into the goals the committee drafted. Participants said it depends on the goal, the interest the public shows in it, its likelihood to be reached, and the opportunities that come the town's way. 

"This is a living document. It's going to change, it's going to be fluid," such as with the public transportation goal, Town Manager Dennis Simmons said. He said a certain goal might not land near the top of the list, but if a shot at something comes along, the town could take advantage.

Participants brainstormed how to get public input from more than the same 30 people Selectboard Chair Sarah Whitfield and others said always show up to give theirs. How about setting up a table at Wiscasset Speedway or outside Shaw's to ask people's thoughts, participants said. And they said if a meeting is called, having it for certain topics, instead of all of them, might get more people interested.

The goals the committee has drafted include optimizing use of the energy infrastructure and of Wiscasset Municipal Airport, addressing the affordable housing shortage, managing traffic congestion, leveraging tourism assets, enhancing waterfront and port assets, supporting small businesses, capitalizing on rail access and, the document states, preserving the historic village and making it "a destination for visitors."

Selectman William "Bill" Maloney recalled, when the board agreed to have the committee, "two important things" were to bring in business and to have the housing to support that.

"Yeah. We want to create jobs, but where are the people going to live? We'd like to have them live in our community," Selectman Alissa Eason, board liaison to the committee, said.

"And every house built, (is) property tax," Maloney said.

Whitfield said two goals that are "almost no brainers" to be priorities are housing and energy infrastructure. Economic Development Director Aaron Chrostowsky has already been working on those, Whitfield said. 

Committee Chair Fred Quivey said leveraging can help the town get further on some goals. He said to seek the help of stakeholders such as conservation, commercial and other organizations. "Push it out into the community."

Eason summarized to the two panels, the committee will organize goals as short-term or long term, "always keeping in mind that reality will dictate what actually gets worked on." The committee will also propose which entities or personnel might help drive a goal's work.

The next joint session is at 6 p.m. April 1 at the town office; a Zoom link will go on wiscasset.gov