"Essentially, we are going to have to move the wastewater treatment plant. Otherwise, we'll be facing a lot of financial challenges, more so than we are in general," Wiscasset Selectmen's Chair Sarah Whitfield said June 2 about the state's recent reiterating, an upgrade instead of a move will not do.

As Wiscasset Newspaper reported last month, a May 19 letter from Brandy King, manager of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) at Maine Department of Environmental Protection, held to the state's stance it will not help fund upgrades, only a move; the Cow Island plant has flooded in storms "and is expected to continue to have future flooding impacts," King wrote.

Town officials have long said they'd rather build a seawall than move the plant. The June 2 meeting was the board's first chance to discuss the letter. The discussion came a week before a town vote on whether or not to rescind the 2024 town vote that OK'd moving the plant to public works and moving public works to the transfer station.

Given the pending vote, Whitfield said she felt "At this point we need to see what the public (decides) and then it's the board's move to make a decision of what the next step is in terms of a choosing a site ... I feel like, unfortunately, we've gotten our answer" from the state, she said.

"But I'm glad we asked," Selectman Allisa Eason said.

"Yeah, well at least we have the official no-go on keeping it there (on Cow Island)," Whitfield said. She was disappointed, she added.

Town Manager Dennis Simmons told the board in a report ahead of the meeeting, town legal counsel doubts DEP can legally force the town to move the plant, but "legal counsel agrees that the practical reality is more complicated. DEP controls significant permitting, licensing, and funding processes associated with wastewater infrastructure projects. While the town could theoretically pursue upgrades at the current site using federal or alternative funding sources, most outside funding agencies will likely look for alignment and support from the State before committing substantial funding.

"Without DEP support for an in-place upgrade approach, the town would likely face significant challenges in securing competitive federal funding and would likely move lower (on) funding priority lists. The town would also lose the funding that it has already secured," Simmons wrote. "We could file an appeal of Brandy's decision through the DEP appeals process. Counsel felt that the Commissioner would likely have already vetted Brandy's decision, and an appeal would result in additional delays and expenses and would not change the outcome.

"Additionally, maintaining a cooperative working relationship and goodwill with DEP will likely be critical as the town pursues future grants, principal forgiveness opportunities, low-interest financing, and permitting approvals associated with the project. Counsel advised that a confrontational posture with DEP would likely not improve the town's long-term position and could complicate future licensing and funding efforts," Simmons added.

If voters rescind the 2024 nod of the public works site for the wastewater treatment plant, "Mason Station is next on the list of Town-owned properties" and either move is now likely "in the $60 million range," with about $14 million lined up so far, Simmons told the board.

This is no longer about whether the town would rather move the plant or upgrade it instead, Simmons explained. "The larger issue is identifying what solution is realistically financeable, permittable, and supportable by the community and the agencies that ultimately control the majority of available infrastructure funding."

Also June 2, selectmen nodded signing documents that are the next step in seeking grants to repair facades at 43-45 Water St. and 80 Main St.; nodded Core Market Advisors as the appraisal firm for the town's Birch Point and Old Ferry Road properties; named James Crowley to the Climate Action Team; and OK'd a business license for a property maintenance business, 4 Season, 285 Birch Point Road, and one for a pet boutique, Waggin' Wiscasset, 49 Water St.