The job of Wiscasset town planner remains unfilled, but the town is getting closer to making a hire. Eight people responded to ads for the position, according to an Oct. 27 press release from Town Manager Marian Anderson.

The job opened up when Misty Parker resigned to become an economic development specialist for the city of Lewiston. Her last day of work in Wiscasset was Oct. 3.

Acknowledgment letters have gone out to the applicants; interviews are expected to get under way the first week in November, according to Monday’s release.

“The town planner position is a key professional leadership position whose purpose is to assist the public and serve as valued technical advisor to both citizens and businesses,” Anderson states in the release. “In addition, the planner provides staff support to the planning board, ordinance review committee, conservation commission and waterfront committee.”

Anderson, Selectmen’s Chairman Pam Dunning, and representatives of the other panels will comprise the interview team, according to the release.

In recent years, the budget committee has suggested the position’s elimination or a cut in hours; however, Wiscasset voters have kept it full-time.