Planners from Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties hope to offer tourists a look at interior towns by establishing a byway that would include Dresden.

Lincoln County Planner Bob Faunce told Dresden selectmen on Monday, Aug. 10, that the route under discussion would make a loop from Dresden through Richmond, Bowdoinham, Topsham, Bath, Woolwich and back up to Dresden.

"We have been trying to get visitors into the interior of Lincoln County,” said Faunce.

He said that state or federally designated byways carry too many strings to appeal to most town officials, so he hoped to get the towns to agree to a local approach. He said Dresden offered the attraction of scenic views and historic sites, including the Pownalborough Courthouse. Bringing additional tourists to the area would have the effect of enhancing business, he added.

“We are in the planning stage," said Faunce.

"It sounds like a good idea," Selectman Gerald Lilly said.

The board issued a one-day liquor permit to Spectrum Generations for its gala event to be held Aug. 12 at the Pownalborough Courthouse. Spokesperson Marianne Pinkham said that only beer and wine would be served at the event from the hours of 4 to 9 p.m.

"Most of the guests are over 65 years old,” she assured the board.

In other business, the board modified requests from the Swap Shop Committee for improvements to its facility at the recycling center.

Selectmen agreed to authorize the painting of the ceiling in a “whipped cream” shade as requested, but stopped short of agreeing to paint walls, cabinets and shelving. Selectman Allan Moeller said that the brighter ceiling and the addition of florescent lights should be sufficient to make the shop less gloomy.

Administrative assistant Trudy Foss said that she had purchased two cases of bottled drinking water as requested by the committee. The board said it wanted to look into repairing the existing water dispenser rather than continuing to purchase individual bottled water.

The board signed the draft of a contract with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office to supply the town with an animal control officer. Foss said that local resident Mike Waters had been assigned and had already begun duty.

The board delegated Foss to oversee additions to the town’s revamped website being developed by Lauren Haven. Tony Barry was given the contract for roadside mowing at a cost of $3,000.