As Newcastle and Damariscotta approach their split date, a familiar face will be helming the new Damariscotta Public Works Department.

The Damariscotta Board of Selectmen agreed Wednesday, Oct. 7, to name Hugh Priebe as the new road commissioner. Priebe currently works in the joint department as a foreman.

With only weeks left in the interlocal agreement, the shape of both towns' public works department is starting to come into focus.

The road commissioner job was originally Steve Reynold's, who is an employee of the town of Newcastle, while Priebe is a Damariscotta employee. With the joint public works department ending Oct. 31, Reynolds and Priebe will no longer split their time between the towns.

Now Priebe will work with the town to come up with a work plan for the roads department that outlines the maintenance and reconstruction of the roads.

To that end, the board also approved a pair of contracts with a two local contractors to handle the bulk of the town's road needs.

The town voted, 5-0, to enlist Sprague's Transport and Excavation to handle everything from culverts, ditching, road and septic repairs and erosion control.

But, it won't be just one company — the town also voted 5-0 to enlist Hagar Enterprises for road work as well.

Hagar, which already has a snowplowing contract with the town, will be available for road construction and other duties.

Both Hagar and Sprague's are based out of Damariscotta.

Selectman George Parker said contracting the two businesses will ensure that the town will be able to get work done, even if one is busy or unavailable.

Newcastle meanwhile has held a public meeting to determine the fate of its public works department. In previous meetings, the town had floated the idea of retaining Reynolds as a contractor and hiring a foreman of their own.