Dresden Selectmen on Monday, July 27, granted a business permit to the Freedom Center which provides transitional housing to those who struggle with addictions, physical or mental illnesses. The center opened last year with a provisional permit.

"I am not so sure we need a permit," said executive director Jan Burns, who said that the center operates as a nonprofit organization.

Selectman Dale Hinote assured Burns that the center would require a permit.

"Our issues concern the people there and the impact on the town,” said Hinote.

The board said that it had already received two inquiries from center residents hoping for general assistance welfare, although the two individuals had not specifically come to the town office to apply.

Burns said she was generally aware of the calls but had told residents that they were not to try to file for welfare from the town.

She said that none of the residents planned to remain in Dresden following their maximum stay of six months and that the vast majority had come with state funds through referrals from state or local agencies. She said most residents planned to move to larger towns such as Augusta, Rockland or Portland.

"If they mention general assistance, we say no,” she said.

The board granted the permit without objection.

Other business

In other business, Peter Walsh of the Dresden Recreation Committee outlined plans to replace the tennis court at Bridge Academy.

Walsh said he had collected preliminary bids to remove trees and replace the paving for a court that would accommodate volleyball, badminton and pickleball for both adults and children. He said he favored a smaller court because of the high cost of building a full-size tennis court.

"Most of our few tennis players go to Wiscasset,” he said. "People of all ages can play pickleball."

Walsh said that he hoped that the final bids for the construction, landscaping and possible lighting for the smaller court could be negotiated for less than $15,000.

Rick Graffam, president of the Bridge Academy trustees, said that he hoped in the future that the former school and properties could be expanded for a community center. He said that providing better outdoor facilities might get children away from the computers in the library to play outside.

The board gave preliminary approval to seek bids from area contractors for the work within the parameters laid out by Walsh.

Also before the board was the Swap Shop Committee from the transfer station who outlined a list of eight requests.

"We would like water,” said committee spokesperson Melanie Graczi.

Selectman Hinote estimated that the volunteers could be provided with drinking water for under $15 a month. The committee went on to request 50 new tote baskets, the replacement of broken florescent lights, and a new paint job for the interior space.

“It has become pretty dingy,” said volunteer Mary Haven.

Selectmen suggested that most of the repair work could be done within the committee’s $3,500 annual budget with the painting done by county prisoners.

Selectmen also approved a culvert replacement policy and set Thursday, July 30, at 6 p.m. at the Pownalborough Hall for a special town meeting to approve a contract with Lincoln County to provide an animal control officer for the town.