When the Wiscasset selectmen got a request for a donation toward Lac-Megantic's recovery efforts, they said they would like to help the Quebec town where a runaway train set off a massive fire, but they couldn't.

That's because the money the board would normally tap for donations is in budget limbo. Contingency funds are among those that voters sent back to the drawing board on June 11.

Selectmen on July 16 said they have no authority to make donations until voters approve that part of the budget. A revote at the polls is tentatively set for September 10.

Board members added their regrets in saying they couldn't send any money from the town. They noted that residents can make individual donations.

Selectmen in Lac-Megantic's sister city of Farmington have voted to set up a TD Bank account to help with the recovery effort, according to an email Wiscasset got from Farmington Town Manager Dick Davis.

"The border between Maine and Quebec is merely an imaginary line, and the language barrier really no barrier at all to compassion and humanity," the email states.

Any TD Bank can take the donations, payable to the Lac-Megantic Relief Fund, the email continues.

It states that donations may also be made to Canada's Red Cross.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or susanjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com