The Wiscasset Select Board heard recommendations from Wright Pierce Engineering on Tuesday for improving the operation and efficiency of the treatment plant. The Topsham-based firm was hired to develop a plan for addressing the aging plant’s deficiencies identified last year by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

The biggest issue appears to be understaffing, Kyle Coolidge, lead engineer on the study, said. Coolidge suggested the town consider hiring one additional worker. 

The report recommended additional training to improve staff efficiency; and a capital improvement plan to address needed upgrades and maintenance.

“The town should begin budgeting now for the big ticket items that will be needed over the next few years to get the plant up to DEP compliance,” added Coolidge.

The plant’s last major upgrade was in 1992 at a cost of $4.2 million, according to plant superintendent William “Buck” Rines. Wiscasset’s  sewer system has 18 pump stations and roughly 14 miles of pipeline.

DEP representative Pam Parker told the select board many Maine communities are facing similar problems associated with their sewer treatment plants. She said funding and low interest loans were available to help with the upgrades.

Costa resigns

Town Manager Marian Anderson said Wiscasset Municipal Airport Manager Frank Costa had tendered his resignation effective Sept. 5. Selectmen accepted it “with regret” and wished Costa success.

 Request for tax-exempt status denied

The select board unanimously denied a request to grant tax=exempt status to CEI Housing, Inc. for Deer Ridge Farm, a 24-unit affordable housing complex off Route 218. In July, CEI Housing, based in Brunswick, requested Deer Ridge be exempt from real estate and personal property taxes effective April 1 of this year.

A legal opinion sought by the town stated the applicant had not met its obligations for tax-exempt status. Anderson said CEI Housing could appeal the board’s decision. The abatement would have resulted in the loss of approximately $49,000 in tax revenue and a $1.9 million loss in taxable revenue, according to the town office.

Application fee increased

On Anderson’s recommendation, the board agreed to apply additional fees for certificates of appropriateness applications required by the Historical Preservation Ordinance.  Adding them, Anderson explained, would reduce the expense the town incurs for publishing public notices and would cover mailings sent to property abutters. Besides a $25 applications fee, applicants will be charged $2 per abutter.

Additionally, applicants seeking permission for new construction or building demolition within the historic district must now pay the cost of publishing the required hearing notice in the newspaper. The fees are to be paid by the applicants when they.submit the applications.

Four referendum questions are planned at the November general election. One seeks authorization to buy a used ambulance; another to raise fees for shellfish harvesting. Selectmen will seek funds to cover an increase in water rates and voters will consider repealing the Historic Preservation Ordinance. Selectman Bob Blagden said he preferred the question regarding the Historic Preservation Ordinance be held until next year’s annual town meeting.

Departmental reports

The Wiscasset Ambulance Service responded to 72 calls last month. EMS Director Toby Martin stated the new monthly report will no longer include a breakdown of ambulance calls per community.

The fire department had nine calls in July including four motor vehicle accidents.

In other business, the board appointed Fred Quivey to the Budget Committee.

Special town meeting Thursday

Voters will consider raising $66,764 for municipal planning and hiring a new town planner at a special town meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24 at Wiscasset Elementary School. The Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce led the petition effort seeking to reverse a June 13 decision when voters rejected the planning budget 464- 256.