Local citizens' requests concerning three different Dresden roads captured the attention of selectmen during a regular meeting Monday, Nov. 17.

Peter Constantaros asked the board about the possibility of adding a solid line on River Road/Route 128, from the stop sign at the intersection to the 45 miles per hour sign.

Constantaros, who lives on River Road, expressed concern about the road, which currently allows passing in part of the section he mentioned.

The board discussed the situation with Constantaros, and selectmen said they intended to contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office about his concern.

Resident David Musto lives on Route 197 next door to the Dresden Recycling Center.

Musto said that a lack of streetlights on the road near his house made it easy for people to park there at night.

He also said that he has had things stolen from his property, such as tools, and suggested that adding a street light would help prevent such goings-on.

Selectmen agreed to Musto’s proposal and said adding lighting would also be good for the nearby skating rink, allowing for nighttime skating.

Resident Peter Lincoln, who with his wife, manage the Inge Foster fund for maintenance of the public landing next to the middle bridge.

Lincoln said stones have fallen in the river, and that work needs to be done to shore up the property within the five-year limitation of the terms of Foster's will.

Foster, who died in 2011, was a former Dresden selectman.

If the work requires funds over the amount in the account, the matter would have to be included as an article for the next town meeting.

As for the parking issue concerning Ship’s Chow Hall in the Village on the corner of Route 1, the board did not take up the matter because they await a workshop, tentatively on the agenda for next Monday, Nov. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the town office.

The board has invited owners Lenny Santos and Tina Fitzsimmons to attend for the purpose of discussing a mutually satisfying solution before they bring the matter to a regular Monday night session. They were unable to make the last workshop originally as the board had hoped.

The board received complaints that too many cars were parking next to Ship’s Chow Hall, obstructing motorists' views. Several citizens attended a recent meeting to voice arguments pro and con for a board-proposed ordinance prohibiting parking in front of the business.

During that meeting on Nov. 3, selectmen decided not to pursue a parking ordinance, due to public sentiment and the owners’ own concerns about potential harm to their business.

The Ship’s Chow Hall has been at that location for five years and is the second restaurant by that name, the first being in Wiscasset on Route 1.

Bridge opening

The new bridge over the Kennebec River will open officially for traffic on Friday, Dec. 5 or Friday, Dec. 12 depending on weather reports for those days, according to selectmen. Dignitaries’ speeches will occur at Pownalborough Hall in the event of inclement weather.