In a 4-1 vote Tuesday, Oct. 20, with Chairman Pam Dunning dissenting, Wiscasset selectmen renewed a special amusement permit for Wiscasset Speedway owners Richard and Vanessa Jordan. The decision followed a 20-minute public hearing at Wiscasset Community Center.

In the hearing, resident Steven Smith called the ordinance “vague.” He said it gives applicants too much leeway. Smith said the wording permitted other large gatherings on the speedway grounds at 274 West Alna Road like monster truck pulls and concerts. He felt racing should cease earlier in the evening out of concern to neighbors over noise.

Vanessa Jordan responded she and her husband try their best to be good neighbors. Racing starts around 6 p.m. on the weekend and usually finishes by 9 unless rain causes a race to be delayed, she explained. Racing rarely goes past 10 p.m., she said, adding that monster truck pulls and other events including a circus had been held during the day.

“We’ve been doing this now (renewing the permit) nine years, maybe 10,” said Jordan.

Selectman Kim Andersson called Wiscasset Speedway one of the best things Wiscasset has going. She noted that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jordans lent their facility to Wiscasset Middle High School for its graduation ceremony. Andersson called it a wonderful event greatly appreciated by students and their families.

Andersson said the ordinance requires the Jordans to return to the board for prior approval before holding concerts or other special events.

Dunning said her late husband was a huge racing fan and loyal supporter of the speedway. But, like Smith, she had concerns about the ordinance language. “If I was living in the neighborhood there I would not be very happy,” she said.  

Following a much shorter public hearing, the board renewed automobile graveyard and/or junkyard permits for Blagden’s Garage on Route 27 and Grover Auto and Tire and Pro Body Works, both on Route 1. Also approved following a public hearing was a liquor license for Daniel Dyer, dba Barnhouse Grill and Pub on Route 1. Dyer said he is very much looking forward to his grand opening soon.

New business licenses were approved for Brian Emmons, dba Brian’s Welding and Fabrication, 21 Fowle Hill Road, and Nicolas West, dba Pure Cleaning Solutions, 138 Rumerill Road.

The town’s capital reserve monies rose to $12.52 million, a gain of $353,478 over last month. Endowment funds stood at $3.9 million, increasing $109,901. These amounts were before the town removed a little over $1 million in reserve monies for voter-approved 2020-21 capital spending.

Town Manager Dennis Simmons reported Maine Yankee’s 2020 property tax bill totaled $748,644, yielding an impact fee of $115,326.

In his September report to the board, Police Chief Lawrence Hesseltine noted the department responded to 462 calls, bringing the year’s total to 4,883. Police made 38 arrests last month on charges that included domestic violence, criminal threatening, assault, drug possession and criminal speeding. Police responded to seven motor vehicle accidents and conducted 224 motor vehicle stops resulting in 87 citations.

Fire Chief Robert Bickford stated the fire department made 16 calls last month; three were motor vehicle accidents. “After the first three months of the fiscal year, we are at 65 calls. To put it into perspective, we had 165 total calls for last year. If we remain as active as we have been, we are on pace for a record year,” he wrote.

Deputy EMS Director Erin Bean reported the department made 50 calls in September; 29 were to Wiscasset addresses, and 15 were to Dresden. Other calls were made to Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Westport Island.

Due to the general election, the board’s Nov. 3 hearing will be held in the hearing room of the town office beginning at 6 p.m. There will be limited seating due to COVID-19 restrictions.