Wiscasset voters will go to the polls Sept. 11 for a special town meeting to decide at least three budget articles: the code enforcement budget, the contingency fund and the Lincoln County Television donation.

The Wiscasset Selectmen set the date for the special town meeting at their July 3 meeting.

The items on the special town meeting ballot are budgets rejected by the voters at this year’s town meeting on June 12.

The selectmen will ask the voters to accept re-ductions in the contingency fund from $60,000 to $50,000 and the donation to Lincoln County Television from $7,000 to $5,000.

The new proposed budget reduces the hours of the code enforcement officer to an average of 25 hours per week, as well as reducing the training budget $500. This would be a total reduction of $6,322. Voters turned down a budget of $54,996; they will be asked to approve a budget of $48,674.

Airport master plan

Airport Manager Ervin Deck outlined plans for the airport’s master plan.

The Texas Flying Legends, a group of flying enthusiasts dedicated to teaching World War II aviation history, has decided to make Wiscasset its permanent summer home. The group plans to house its squadron of restored World War II-era aircraft at the Wiscasset Municipal Airport and use it as base of operations for events throughout Maine.

The Texas Flying Legends Museum travels across the country showcasing its fleet of P-51s, B-25s, and other aircraft, including a rare Jap-anese Zero. According to Deck, the group plans to build a World War II museum in the area, where visitors can come and get a close up view of some of history’s most famous aircraft. This would be the first museum in Maine dedicated entirely to World War II.

Deck told the selectmen the master plan includes an environmental assessment next year. Some trees on airport land on and near the Chewonki Campground will need to be taken down, because the Federal Aviation Administration sees these trees as a safety issue, he said.

“I know this will be an emotional issue,” Deck said.

Chewonki Campground’s owner Pam Brackett asked the selectmen to consider that the campground that has been owned by them for more than 50 years. Brackett showed photos of the campsites surrounded by trees.

Selectman Pam Dunning told the board, that they would need to be careful not to destroy one business to protect another.

Airport Committee member Ken Boudin told the selectmen and the owners of the Chewonki Campground the airport had been good neighbors for many years and that was not going to change. Boudin indicated the airport and the campground have always worked together and he hopes they will remain good friends.

Donald Lamson, speaking in support of the campground, cautioned the town to tread carefully and make sure there is a demand for what is being planned. He asked what the economic plan is for the citizens of Wiscasset for the additional growth of the airport.

Deck pointed out the issue of the trees needing to be cut or trimmed had nothing to do with growth; it had everything to do with safety.

“A master plan not only plans for future needs, it also addresses existing needs,” Deck said. Apparently, to keep the runways open for night landings, some trees must be taken down. Deck said the Federal Aviation Administration is aware of the tree issue and in order to get further funding the town must come up with a plan to take care of the problem.

Deck said the new proposed master plan also includes an extension of the runway on the east side of 600 feet, making it a 6,000-foot runway. However, he said it is not needed, and will not be built unless someone comes up with about $20 million.

When asked by the Town Planner Misty Gorski why it was in the plan, Deck said to reserve the right to build it and to prevent high towers from being built in the area.

Deck will come back before the selectmen to present the full plan before a public informational meeting.
Valuation workshop

At the July 10 meeting, the selectmen approved a proposal by Susan Varney, the town’s assessing agent to abate the Route 27 to correct nine lots resulting in a valuation loss of $73,800. According to Varney, the abatement corrects and makes five commercial and four residential lots consistent with the rest of the neighborhood.

They will decide at their Aug. 17 meeting on a proposal to reduce the village neighborhood by 10 percent that would result in a valuation loss of approximately $4,433,400.

Varney told the board of selectmen they still have to decide what to do about the Mason Station valuation.

Currently the total Mason Station valuation is $10,303,700, with the town owning $6,517,300 of that valuation. The selectmen will make a decision next month whether to leave the town-owned property on the tax rolls or not.

If the selectmen approve the 10 percent reduc-tion in valuation for the village neighborhood and take the Mason Station property off the tax rolls, along with reduction in the Route 27 neighborhood, the town’s tax rate could be $16.03 per $1,000 of valuation for the next tax year. This year’s tax rate is $15.15/$1,000.

Other business

At the July 3, meeting the selectmen authorized a quit claim deed to Ray Soule for the Hart Property.

The selectmen awarded a Tax Anticipation Note to Norway Savings Bank with an interest rate of .79 percent.

The board authorized the town manager to engage the services of Bryan Dench and the law offices of Skelton, Taintor and Abbott to assist the town in the collection of outstanding taxes and any legal issues with the Mason Station and Ferry Landing Road Development properties. The board also directed the town manager to issue a request for proposals regarding the tax acquired properties at Mason Station.

The selectmen appointed Senior Center Trustees. Dale Wenners, Patricia Barnes and Carl Hewitt were appointed Senior Center trustees for terms effective through June 30, 2015. Ralph Ferguson was appointed as a trustee for a term effective through June 30, 2013.