Proposed ordinance changes allowing non-residents to serve on Wiscasset’s waterfront and airport committees will be left to voters to decide.  

Although selectmen weren’t able to reach unanimity on the issue Tuesday night, they felt the changes important enough to include on the June warrant. The change would allow one non-resident on each committee. Both have five volunteer members appointed by selectmen. Non-resident members would be permitted to vote if the ordinance stands as written.

Selectman Judy Colby began the discussion, saying she felt strongly non-residents shouldn’t cast votes on the airport committee because the committee had influence over the budgetary process. Colby insisted, however, she had no issue with a non-resident serving a committee appointment.

Chairman Ben Rines Jr. agreed, adding the same argument could be made for non-residents serving on the waterfront committee. Rines said property taxes were already high enough and non-residents would be less concerned with that.

Selectman David Cherry said both committees served in an advisory capacity and responsibility for the budgets rested with the town manager and selectmen. “If you decide one of the five members is going to be non-voting, you could have a 2-2 tie,” he said.

Selectman Judy Flanagan said the ordinance governing the town’s planning board allowed a voting, non-resident member. “That’s one of the most important boards in town,” she said. Flanagan added in the case of the airport committee the town had one non-resident member who had served 20 years.

Selectman Jeff Slack said he preferred to put the question directly to voters.

Cliff Hendricks, chairman of the budget committee weighed in, too, pointing out that the town manager, town clerk, treasurer, public works director, town planner and school superintendent were all non-residents. “They each have a big influence over town spending,” he said.

That prompted Rines to comment that people in town have asked him why selectmen don’t hire more people who live in Wiscasset.

The board decided to hold off making a recommendation on the articles until after a public hearing at the April 19 meeting.

 Fire chief’s request denied

Fire Chief T.J. Merry asked selectmen if they’d reconsider their policy denying firefighters the use of the firehouse to wash their personal vehicles. Merry said it’s one of the few perks firemen have had over the years. “I know it’s a small thing but I’m asking if we can change this,” he said.

Slack’s motion granting Merry’s request was defeated; Rines, Flanagan and Cherry voted to stick by the policy, with Colby supporting the motion.

Rines and Flanagan felt changing the policy set a bad precedent while Cherry likened it to starting down a “slippery slope.”

 Sidewalks won’t be stamped

Selectmen won’t spend $27,260 to stamp and paint the asphalt sidewalks planned on Route 1 in front of the municipal building, courthouse property and Washington Street. The sidewalks are part of a project funded by the Maine Department of Transportation that includes installation of a traffic light at the junction of routes 1 and 27.  MDOT won’t pickup the tab for giving the asphalt sidewalks a brick-like appearance. 

MDOT meeting to discuss downtown

The next MDOT meeting to discuss the proposed $4 million to $5 million improvements on Main Street and downtown is tentatively set for Wednesday, April 27 at the community center. The meeting will begin with an informal question and answer session from 3 to 5 p.m. followed by a public hearing from 6 to 8 p.m.

Also Tuesday, the board delayed action on an agreement with the Lincoln County Fire Chiefs Association for use of the fire department’s fire training facility. Selectmen wanted the language of the agreeement clarified before they approve it.

Selectmen made the following appointments: Anthony J. Gatti, Jr., planning board, Scott James, shellfish committee, Frederick J. Quivey, budget committee and David Gagnon, waterfront committee.

Selectmen adopted a liquor license policy requiring all applications, including renewals, to have a public hearing and come before selectmen for approval. The previous policy allowed liquor license renewals to go through the town clerk.

The fee charged to commercial waste haulers will remain at $500 per year; the same amount as last year.

Juanita Greenleaf of Westport Island was granted a temporary business license to operate a lunch truck on the waterfront pier July 4.

Following a public hearing Mike Benner, dba, Twisted Iron Customs on Route 1, was granted a special amusement permit to hold monthly car shows with music and food from May until October.