“This is basically meant to keep the conversation going,” Wiscasset Selectman Sarah Whitfield said July 21 about a proposed non-binding or “survey” question the board went on to agree 5-0 to put on the November ballot. The question seeks to gauge interest in exploring a possible regional high school.

Resident Ed Polewarczyk did not object, but he said the meaning of regional high school should be clarified, because when he hears those words, he thinks "RSU," or Regional School Unit or other unit, and a loss of some of Wiscasset's local authority. 

"We've been there. We've done that. That was not a good idea," he said. In the last decade and a half, Wiscasset helped make up Regional School Unit 12, left it, and has kept Wiscasset schools Wiscasset-run again for years. This year, Wiscasset and Boothbay Region Schools ceased their try at a state grant for a consolidated grades nine through 16 school after the shot at that grant looked likely to lose. 

Whitfield said in the July 21 meeting, "There's been interest from folks who helped work on that application to keep the conversation going ... We have a general sense that we think both communities, particularly Wiscasset and Boothbay, want to explore an option, however that may end up. But we don't have any data to support that. So  I believe ... someone will be proposing to put it on (Boothbay's) ballot for November as well. And again, this is non-binding. There's no financial thing. It's a survey question," she reiterated.

Selectman Cassaundra Rose asked if any other nearby towns had expressed interest.

Said Whitfield, "Yes ... not formally, as a town, but members of towns such as Dresden, Southport (and) Edgecomb ..."

Also July 21, selectmen agreed to start an Ad Hoc Wastewater Treatment Plant Outreach Advisory Committee, to help educate and engage the public as the town works toward moving the sewer plant. And the board nodded business licenses for Cozy Harbor Group, 263 Bath Road; Muddy Paws Grooming, 61 Flood Ave.; and Josh Crocker, doing business as Ship City Water Solutions, 25 Pinewood Drive. 

Selectman Heather Jones will review her proposed replacement for the town's artificial intelligence (AI) policy, based on that night’s feedback. Participants’ concerns included the draft document’s length, scope and potential to lead workers to avoid using AI tools. 

Jones said she used AI on the draft. "So if you don't like it, blame AI."