Any animosity between the Dresden Board of Selectmen and a local restaurant owner over parking issues cooled on Monday night, Nov. 3, as the parties reached an amicable agreement to work out a solution instead of enacting a restrictive ordinance.

A sizable group of concerned citizens gathered at the board’s regular meeting to voice opinions pro and con about an ordinance the board had drafted two weeks ago. The ordinance would limit parking at least 250 feet from the corner of Route 197 and  Route 27 in front of Ship’s Chow Hall.

Restaurant owner Lenny Santos vented some of his own thoughts about the ordinance, which he feared would seriously affect his business.

“Why didn’t you talk to me,” he said. “I don’t understand why you didn’t approach me. It got way out of control. We want people to come to the Village. You’re telling them no. People aren’t going to stop.”

Board Chairman Phil Johnston told the gathering the board received a number of complaints from locals who had difficult seeing at the intersection before making a turn onto the southbound lane. He said the board has responsibility for the safety of people passing through the area.

“I want you to know it is not directed to you, whether right or wrong,” Johnston said. “We can work this out.”

At the board's last meeting Oct. 20 and this week’s meeting, Johnston said the parking restriction proposed in the draft ordinance came from the Maine Dept. of Transportation (DOT), which considers sight lines vital.

“We’re going to work this out with Lenny, but if this persists I hope no one gets hurt,” he said at the close of the discussion Monday.

Resident Melanie Gaczi said that the sight line is clearly visible, and she said she demonstrated it in an interview last Tuesday.

“I have a photo that shows no obstruction unless someone (is) parking where they shouldn’t, next to the corner,” she said. “Lenny’s business is not just a small business. He promotes other small businesses in town.”

Resident Christopher Carr challenged the board about its authority to enact such an ordinance and asked if selectmen had checked whether the deed to the property has any restrictions against such a measure.

Johnston said the board has the authority for parking and safety only,and cannot limit the speed in the town, which is the domain of the DOT. Currently the DOT has the speed limit at 35 miles per hour through the Village section of town, but he said the board could request a 25 miles per hour speed limit.

Johnston also told the people the board intends to send a letter to the DOT requesting a blinking light at the intersection, red for Route 197 and yellow for Route 128.

One suggestion to reduce speed in the vicinity came from Eleanor Everson.

“Two words: speed bumps,” she said.

In an attempt to bring some resolution to the controversy, local business owner Jeff Pierce urged the board and restaurant, along with residents, to come up with a workable solution.

“I have been at the church (antique business) for 15 years and never seen an accident there,” he said. “We don’t need an ordinance. I’m asking for a common sense approach.”

Former Selectman Dave Probert suggested a lane alongside the building, which would afford three to four parking spaces. Probert also advised working out a solution between the board and Santos.

The board decided to air the issue with the Ship’s Chow Hall at its workshop next Monday, Nov. 10.

Clarification

The Wiscasset Newspaper stated the following in an article appearing in its Oct. 20 issue: “Town Administrative Assistant Trudy Foss said it has been very difficult for her and others entering and leaving the town office parking area at times.”

The article should have stated she and others would find it difficult to see, if parking for the Ship’s Chow Hall was pushed further down the southbound lane with parking restrictions in front of the diner. Foss was not referring to where parking occurs now.

Fire/ATV

In other business, the board heard a request from Fire Chief Steve Lilly, who asked about $3,000 for a total $12,000 for a four-wheel ATV the department could use for rescue emergencies.

So far, Lilly said local department has $5,000 in a special fund and just received $4,000 as a gift from the local ATV club, which has disbanded. He said the club gave another $4,000 to Bridge Academy.

Lilly asked if it would be possible to take the additional $3,000 from the recreation fund, but the board recommended using $3,000 from the department’s equipment fund. Also, selectmen said a transfer from the recreation fund would require a special town meeting vote.

In response to Lilly’s concern about not having enough in the fund for emergencies, Johnston said the board has a discretionary fund as a backup for any emergencies that may develop.

Selectman Allan Moeller recommended acquiring quotes from at least three businesses for such a machine as opposed to only one, which Lilly mentioned in the meeting.