A week after a contentious meeting that ended with a contractor saying it wanted out, the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen and Hagar Enterprises were able to put differences aside and continue the snow plow contracts.

During the Wednesday, Feb. 19 meeting, the board agreed to pick up the last two option years of Hagar's contract with the town. After tempers flared at the Monday, Feb. 10 meeting, Seth Hagar said he wold prefer if the town didn't pick up the last two years.

But, after more than a week, Hagar was on hand to see the town approve the options, 4-0, to allow Hagar to continue removing snow from downtown Damariscotta.

Before the discussion turned to Hagar, board Chairman Joshua Pinkham recused himself from the conversation. Pinkham, who works in Damariscotta as a contractor, said his job is to ask questions and do his due diligence in the vetting process for the best interests of the town.

Selectman Vicki Pinkham said the current contract should be approved.

“My feeling is, keep the contract as-is,” she said. “Let's go with the next two years then wipe the slate clean.”

One of the issues raised by Vicki Pinkham was whether or not to allow Hagar to use the town salt and sand sheds.

“That should be municipal use only,” she said via Skype during the meeting. “I don't think we should let a company use it when we're taxing the town.”

Vicki Pinkham proposed drafting a letter to Hagar to cease using the shed, but the motion was struck down, 3-1.

Two of the issues facing the contract were the newly-added spaces in the downtown area, that were not covered in the previous contract, and new sidewalks that also didn't exist prior to the current contract.

But, the town will manage to clear those spots and work with Hagar, Damariscotta Superintendent of Roads Steve Reynolds said.

“It's just a matter of timing and manpower,” he said. “We'll just continue to do the best we can.”