The Maine Department of Transportation is moving ahead with plans to implement $4 to 5 million in traffic improvements for downtown Wiscasset.

Ernie Martin, MDOT Senior Project Manager introduced himself to selectmen Tuesday night. He explained the process for implementing Option 2, the proposal favored by residents in a non-binding vote in June. The plan includes the installation of two traffic lights and eliminates all Main Street parking between Middle and Water streets, adding off-street parking elsewhere.

Martin told selectmen, during the six-month planning process he would meet with downtown business owners, the town’s Historic Preservation Commission and others with concerns related to the project.

“We have a design and we’re moving forward but that’s the only decision we’ve made,” he said, referring to the Wiscasset project as both “unique and challenging.”

Part of the process includes forming a local advisory committee. Martin said it was up to selectmen to decide the people to appoint, although he suggested the committee might include representatives from emergency services, public works and the business community.

“I’d keep it to eight to 10 people that want to work together positively towards achieving the end result,” he said.

During a brief question and answer session that followed, Martin noted if the town decided the final plans weren’t in the best interest of Wiscasset, the town could opt out of the project.

John Reinhardt, Wiscasset Historic Preservation Commission chairman,summarized an Aug. 3 meeting with Cassandra Chase, an environmental engineer with the Federal Highway Administration’s Maine Division.

The FHA is reviewing MDOT’s downtown traffic improvement concepts and their impact on the historic district. A significant portion of Wiscasset’s downtown is registered as a National Historic District. Reinhardt, along with commissioners Jib Fowles and Richard Thompson, referred to it as a productive meeting, noting FHA officials were very willing to listen to the commission’s concerns.

 Another talk with firefighters

Selectmen want to talk again with fire department officers on the issue of washing personal vehicles at the firehouse.

The board wasn’t satisfied with a proposal drafted by members of the fire department and want another meeting.

“When I left the meeting (with the fire officers) I had high hopes we’d have everything we needed but I’m not there yet where I can support this,” Chairman Judy Colby said.

Town Manager Marian Anderson suggested selectmen include their suggestions within the document including a statement releasing the town from liability.

 Mason Station, other news

The town office received a payment of $46,998 in back taxes from Mason Station LLC of Greenwich, Connecticut, leaving a balance due of $260,409. Anderson said legal counsel advised that the town could continue with the foreclosure process.

Town Planner Ben Averill said there was a minor problem with the wording of the town’s Animal Control Ordinance. The ordinance doesn’t allow owners to retrieve their pet without first showing proof of the animal having had a rabies vaccination.

Julie Groleau, Animal Control Officer, has drafted a revision to address the issue. The proposed change will be turned over to the Ordinance Review Committee.

Averill gave a brief update on the Montsweag Dam property. Stockwell Environmental Consulting of Southport is performing a natural resources evaluation. The study will take several more months to complete.

Averill also gave a progress report on expanding broadband Internet service. He said it would be helpful to have a representative from the ConnectME Authority attend a future meeting. Averill suggested the board might also want to form an exploratory committee. Expanding broadband “won’t be a cheap venture,” he commented.

He noted there’s been interest in the installation of an ATM on the Creamery Pier. This likely won’t happen until next year. There’s already an ATM across the street at Red’s Eats.

Police Chief Jeff Lange said Craig Worster had been hired as a permanent part-time reserve officer. Worster is a former patrol lieutenant with the Ridgefield, Connecticut police department.

Selectmen authorized Anderson to sign off on an application seeking a Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement grant of up to $81,000. The monies would be used to clear brush from the runway approaches at the municipal airport. This does not involve removing any trees located on Chewonki Campground. 

In his monthly report, EMS Director Toby Martin stated 60 residents had subscribed to the ambulance department’s new subscription service resulting in $2,080 in additional revenue.

Selectmen will tour the former primary school building at 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 22. They also plan to meet 5 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 23, in the hearing room for a goal-setting discussion and workshop.