Wiscasset will soon have a new ambulance director.Town Manager Marian Anderson announced Tuesday Toby Martin will become the town’s new EMS director. Martin will begin his duties on April 4.

Anderson said Martin lives in New Gloucester. He has over 28 years experience in emergency medical services. He retired in September 2014 after serving a combined 25 years with the Brunswick and Bath fire departments. Martin has an associate degree in paramedicine and fire science from Southern Maine Community College and recently earned a Master’s in career and technical education from the University of New England.

 Support staff contract pending

Selectman voted 4-0-1 with Chairman Ben Rines Jr. abstaining, to accept a new collective bargaining contract with the town’s support staff. Details of the contract were not released. The support staff still needs to ratify the agreement. Support staff includes full-time workers at the Wiscasset Community Center and town office. In December selectmen ratified a new contract with the police department.

White’s Island update

The Maine Coast Heritage Trust notified the town office Feb. 17 it had finalized the purchase of White’s Island. MCHT plans to turn over ownership of the small island to the town pending voter approval.

Steve Walker, MCHT project manager, had contacted the town office asking permission to post some signage at the island’s entrance stating it had been purchased with the intent of preserving it for public access. Walker’s request was approved; although for the present the island remains closed to public access.

The island is located a short distance west of Wiscasset Yacht Club in Bradbury Cove. It has been privately owned for many years and closed to the public. The town owns the two footbridges leading to it.

Last July, selectmen learned of MCHT’s interest in the island. The Topsham-based nonprofit has been negotiating to buy it with the intention of giving it to the town. The offer requires the island be reopened to the public and preserved in its natural state.

Details still to be worked out including what funds might be needed for reopening the footbridges and what needs to be done about the railroad crossing. Ultimately MCHT’s proposal will be left for voters to decide in May or June when they take up the warrant for the 2016-2017 town budget.

Anderson said Chesterfield Associates of Westport has expressed an interest in assisting the town with any repairs needed to the footbridges.

Bistro liquor license renewed

Following a public hearing, selectmen renewed a liquor license for the Little Village Bistro on Route 27. The restaurant’s owner, Tony Bickford of Wiscasset, made the application that was approved unanimously.

“We’re so pleased you opened your business here in Wiscasset. It’s an asset to the town,” Selectman Judy Flanagan told Bickford.

Budget committee appointment

John Merry was reappointed to the budget committee. Merry served two previous terms on it. Three additional budget committee vacancies remain. Interested residents can apply at the town office.

Hesper, Luther Little project

Selectmen will invite Robert Cronk of Wiscasset Middle High School to meet with them to share ideas for developing a class next fall for preserving remains of the old schooners Hesper and Luther Little.

Cronk would like to make the student project part of the school’s fall curriculum. Chesterfield Associates of Westport has offered to help fund the restoration.