The Wiscasset Select Board met for a second time with attorneys to discuss litigation against the Maine Department of Transportation’s downtown project. The board met Monday in executive session, meaning it was closed to the public.

The board met for close to two hours with attorney Peter Murray and his associate John Shumadine of Murray, Plumb and Murray of Portland. After returning to open session, the board adjourned without taking any action.

Chairman Judy Colby told the Wiscasset Newspaper Tuesday morning, an announcement would be made through Town Manager Marian Anderson. “All I can say for sure is that it will be forthcoming – either this week or next.”

Wiscasset has already spent $47,204 in legal fees related to the downtown project that includes the installation of two traffic signals, reconstructing sidewalks, eliminating Main Street parking, paving Railroad Avenue and adding new off-street parking.

The board voted 3-2 on Dec. 5 to take $16,021 from its contingency account to cover legal costs associated with the recent court action filed by Murray. The town has spent another $31,183 for legal services having been brought in as a party of interest in Wawenock, LLC’s litigation against MDOT over the project.

At some point according to Anderson, the select board will need to deal with the overdraft in the legal account, although there’s been no discussion of holding a special town meeting. The board’s next regular meeting is Tuesday, Dec. 19.

On Nov. 29, Murray filed legal action on behalf of the town against MDOT seeking a temporary restraining order that included preventing the demolition of the Haggett building. Demolition has since been put off until February. The state recently posted signs on the building to deter trespassing at 38 Water St. Earlier this year, the state purchased the building from CEI through eminent domain.

The town also wants to prevent MDOT from making certain changes to downtown parking and ensure planners adhere to requirements of the town’s historic preservation ordinance for the estimated $4.5 to $5 million project set to begin next spring and be completed in 2019.

When the board meets next Tuesday, it will review the Public Advisory Committee’s recommendations for amenities to be paid for by MDOT, including lamppost lighting, brick sidewalks, bollards and more. The nine-member committee appointed by the select board has been working with MDOT’s project manager for the past year.