Maine Department of Transportation’s plans for improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety in Wiscasset’s downtown continues to excite passions for and against the estimated $5 million project.

At the close of a May 30 Public Advisory Committee meeting, three residents and one committee member objected to the loss of Main Street parking and removal of the Haggett building to make way for a parking lot.

Before concluding the meeting, Town Planner Ben Averill asked for public comment. Don Davis of Middle Street said he was disappointed MDOT was unwilling to relent on its decision to raze the Haggett building. Davis was among those also expressing opposition a May 8 public hearing. Taking the building down would mean the loss of over $8,000 in property taxes, he said.

“For the building to come off the tax rolls doesn’t benefit the community,” he told members, adding he and others believed a better option was removing the wood-framed Sheepscot Emporium building near the corner of Water and Main streets.

James Kochan warned removing Main Street parking could prove to be a “death knell” to the downtown’s business community. It hasn’t worked in other towns, why would it work here, he asked. Rather than take all the Main Street parking away, Kim Dolce suggested MDOT consider changing the parking pattern from diagonal to parallel.  

All three residents were of the opinion MDOT officials had decided what they planned to do long before they made their presentation.

Judy Flanagan disagreed. A Wiscasset select board member when MDOT first revealed its plans in 2016, she said MDOT officials had been receptive to the community’s concerns from the outset.

“I commend the advisory committee for their efforts and Project Manager Ernie Martin for his patience throughout this whole process. I support their efforts and look forward to this moving ahead. I continue to believe when it’s completed it will make our downtown a safer place,” she said.

Responding to Flanagan’s comments, committee member Seaver Leslie said the sensible thing was for MDOT officials to implement their ideas in phases. “Let’s try these step by step and see what works and what doesn’t,” he said.

Davis added, some residents felt Main Street had been safer when there was a police officer directing traffic through the downtown. Hiring one for 10 weeks during the summer would cost less and was worth looking into, he said.

Member Lonnie Kennedy-Patterson said the downtown’s sidewalks along with Main Street were crumbling away and lacked Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. The state is offering to pay for their repair and replacement, saving the town’s taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, he said.

Martin encouraged residents with concerns or comments to continue making them known to MDOT and committee members. He suggested people keep an eye on parking and how traffic is moving through the downtown this summer.