Interested, but not committed to anything. That was how Wiscasset Selectmen’s Chair Sarah Whitfield on Oct. 1 described where the board is at on the prospect of developing the town-owned, former Maine Yankee land off Old Ferry Road. Whitfield knew of some wrong statements “in the public” that a decision has been made to “sell some things,” or that there is already a plan for the property.

“That is not the case. The point of this whole thing is to be able to look at what the possibilities would be. And there would be a lot of public engagement along the way.” Whitfield has made the point before, in the months since Economic Development Director Aaron Chrostowsky suggested a “Great American Neighborhood” of residents at varying life stages and incomes could be part of what, if anything, the town does with the land. It is about 300 acres, along Back River between Old Ferry, Birch Point and Westport Island Bridge roads, town documents note.

The “whole thing” Whitfield was referring to Oct. 1 is the pursuit of American Rescue Plan Act funds from Lincoln County. Whitfield read from a letter to Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Emily Rabbe, “The selectboard is considering developing this property according to the principles of New Urbanism. However, (the) Selectboard believes it must first conduct a regulatory analysis to understand the property site conditions.”

Chrostowsky provided the letter on request. It states the consultant or engineering firm would analyze regulatory constraints and, with public engagement, work on a conceptual master plan and final design.

“This new neighborhood wil endeavor to improve the quality of life by making high-quality, attainable housing for many individuals (who could then) spend less time on their commutes, less money on their housing costs, and be closer to recreational and entertainment pursuits. The letter lists project goals to “develop a sense of place and foster a community (with) housing for young people, families and seniors; “a community that serves a variety of income types, including affordable, workforce, and market rate … various housing types, including multi-family, attached, single-family, and accessory dwelling units (and) a community that strives to be sustainable by using clean energy and green infrastructure principles in the design (with) a walkable area connected to neighboring recreational and open space assets, including the Chewonki Cushman Preserve and the Town's Old Ferry Road Boat Landing (and) develop several parcels for future development for clean energy and technology businesses.

“This project will be a public-private partnership between the Town and the development community. The more the Town invests in the project, the more it will help achieve one of this project's key goals: affordability,” the letter states.

The board agreed 4-0 to seek the aid to get a land use consultant. 

“We’re just expressing interest …,” Selectman Terry Heller said. 

“And hopefully getting a service that we don’t have to pay for, that gives us information about planning,” Whitfield added.