Wiscasset residents voted June 12 to take the first step towards possible withdrawal from their school district, RSU 12.

With 397 voters in favor and 293 opposed, the town will now create a withdrawal committee to explore the impact of withdrawal and possible alternatives. Final withdrawal requires another town meeting vote.

The Board of Selectmen will have a new board member; Jefferson Slack defeated incumbent David Nichols. Selectmen Judy Colby and Ed Polewarczyk were re-elected. Candidate Jason Downing received 337 votes. 

The withdrawal committee will include a selectman, a member of the district school board; a person from the group that presented the petition to begin the withdrawal process; and a member of the public.

Wiscasset Education Research Panel Chairman Doug Smith said Tuesday evening, after hearing the results, “I am thankful to the members of WERP for all the hard work, dedication and time they have put in over the last 1.5 years in studying alternatives for educating the children of Wiscasset. We would also like to thank the selectman, who not only supported our efforts, but also supported and represented the wishes of the voters after the non binding vote last November to study leaving the RSU.” 

“The quality of our school system and a fair cost to taxpayers for educating our children is a very important aspect for the quality of life of our residents, but more importantly it is paramount in giving the future generation a solid footing for going through life no matter what path they choose to follow. We also cannot expect to attract young families or businesses to Wiscasset if we don’t provide a solid opportunity for educating our children, and ultimately the workforce of any employer looking to move to Wiscasset,” Smith said.

“It certainly is their choice to do that I’m ready to work with them,” RSU 12 School Board Chairwoman Hilary Holm said. “I’m not going to stand in the way if they want to get out. I just want to make sure they get out with the right information.”

On the same ballot, Wiscasset voters approved the RSU 12 budget by seven votes: 333 yes, 326 no.

Voters approved all the articles on the ballot, with the acception of the following: the Code Enforcement Officer’s budget of $54,996, 315 yes, 354 no; the Contingency fund of $60,000, 254 yes, 410 no; Lincoln County Television $7,000, 291 yes, 365 no; Jessie Albert Dental Clinic for $2,000, 313 yes, 317 no; and Coastal Transportation for $1,500, 260 yes, 417 no.

The voters narrowly approved theCapital Improvements budget of $399,000with$359,000 from the Capital Reserve interest and $40,000 from the 2012 Capital budget with 346 yes to 331 no. The capital improvements include: administration-computer upgrades; EMS-retrofit ambulance; EMS-cardiac monitors; harbormaster Commercial Pier debt; Parks and Recreation pool blanket; police cruiser; Public Works dump truck; and Public Works road paving. 

Voters approved an article to authorize the selectmen to sell the former Superintendent’s office at 214 Gardiner Rd. The town will accept the land on Montsweag Brook, which includes the dam and $100,000 to be used by the town in stewardship and monitoring obligation of the property.

The Village I district, Village II district, and Development Standard for Village II and Village Waterfront Districts were approved by the voters, along with the amendment to the Commercial District on Route 1. 

The voters approved suspending for one year the ordinance that prohibits placing lobster traps in the Wiscasset mooring areas.

Although there were 64 questions on the warrant, the voters voted a strong no on the non-binding referendum asking if they wanted to shorten the ballot length by combining department budgets in warrant articles; there were 293 yes to 383 no.

Other candidates elected, in unopposed races: Water District Trustee, three year term, Philip DeVice: Water District Trustee, one year term, Edward Kavanagh; RSU 12 School Board, Gerald Bailey Sr.; and Budget Committee, Clifford Hendricks.