Wiscasset Selectmen will allow the Conservation Committee to spend up to $2,500 for consulting purposes for the Montsweag Dam Preserve.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, Anne Leslie, chairperson of the conservation commission, gave the board a progress report on the preserve. For a year and a half, she said not much has happened; the project having been pushed to the back burner.

Since August she’s been meeting with Town Planner Jamel Torres in hopes of formulating a plan for how best to develop the area for recreational purposes. This would include constructing a trail system, adding signage and perhaps including a small parking area on the Freedom Song Road.

One issue to be resolved is what to do about the former Central Maine Power dam that’s located on the property. The land, including the dam, was given to the town by CMP in 2013 on the condition it be maintained for conservation and recreation. A gift of $100,000 came along with the donation; the money to be used for stewardship and monitoring.

Leslie said the conservation committee has developed a draft management plan, no decision has been made as far as what to do about the dam. The dam, constructed in 1941, was inspected by Wright-Pierce Engineering and is showing signs of its age. The pond created by it provides fire protection to this area of town.

The vote approving the consulting funding was 3-1. Selectman Jeff Slack cast the dissenting vote saying he preferred to hold off on the funding for the present time to give more thought to the subject.

The board revisited the issue of tax liens and foreclosures for unpaid property taxes. Chairman Benjamin Rines Jr. motioned again to have the town manager move forward with the process.

At their Oct. 6 meeting, attorney Wendy Paradise advised selectmen they have a fiduciary responsibility to collect taxes and take action on tax-acquired properties. According to minutes from that meeting, 11 letters were sent to residents who had delinquent tax agreements and an additional 23 letters sent to residents whose property had been foreclosed but did not have tax agreements. The town has not taken possession of any of the properties, the tax liability totals over $400,000. It was noted collection for unpaid sewer bills could be handled in the same manner. The town has over $121,000 in outstanding sewer bills.

Selectman David Cherry made a motion to include notification to all delinquent taxpayers but it failed for lack of a second.

During the discussion, Town Manager Marian Anderson said since the issue arose, $29,758 in back taxes has voluntarily been paid. Selectman Judy Flanagan said she would prefer to wait until after the November election and the selectboard is again back to five members. The motion failed 2-2; Rines and Slack in favor, Flanagan and Cherry opposed.

Joseph McCole, interim ambulance director said the ambulance service was looking into ways for collecting payments owed to the department; $66,000 is on the books dating as far back as two years ago. To keep this from reoccurring, McCole said the department is streamlining its billing process.

McCole added he’d ordered new uniforms for ambulance personnel. He’s also initiated a plan to offer post-traumatic stress debriefings for ambulance providers. He said the ambulance service is planning to hold a basic EMT class for residents in the near future. McCole told selectmen staffing continues to be an issue.

After McCole spoke, Tim Merry addressed the board saying the ambulance department staffing had reached a critical point. Merry, a former selectman and longtime member of the Wiscasset Fire Dept., recommended the selectmen devote an entire meeting to this problem and other challenges facing the ambulance service.

“You need bodies but you also need to consider what the costs will be,” he said. “The ambulance service is not in as good a shape as you may think.” Merry told selectmen both they and the community would be faced with having to make some difficult decisions concerning the ambulance service’s future. All the options need to be discussed and given thoughtful consideration he added.

McCole agreed a forum was a good idea. Selectmen were receptive as well. McCole’s term as interim director ends in December

Chairman Rines said he, along with Selectman Flanagan and the town manager, met with the MDOT commissioner and his staff recently. Rines said they received assurances the load limits on Federal Street will remain in effect. MDOT officials were also made aware of the road shoulder issues on Route 144 (the Birch Point Road) and the problems there. MDOT is planning to hold an informational hearing in Wiscasset to suggest improvements to relieve both downtown traffic concerns, parking issues and pedestrian safety.

The board approved a temporary liquor license for a catered Halloween event at Twisted Iron Customs on Route 1. The event to be held from 6 p.m. to midnight Oct. 24.

Appointments included Albert Gordon Kontrath and Susan Blagden to the Historic Preservation Commission, and Brad Sevaldson to both the Selectmen’s Committee on the Appearance of the Town and also the Celebration’s Committee.

Following a request by Selectman Cherry the board will direct the Ordinance Review Committee to draft an ordinance pertaining to construction blasting. This came in response after blasting was carried out for an in-ground swimming pool without prior notification being given to the neighborhood.

Because of Election Day, selectmen rescheduled their next regular meeting to Wednesday, Nov. 4.