Wiscasset is down to one police cruiser now, and that's a problem, Police Chief Troy Cline said.

Voters at a special town meeting June 18 will consider replacing the department's other cruiser, totaled in a May 21 accident. Selectmen agreed June 4 to schedule the vote.

Insurance will cover $9,250 of the estimated $25,000-$28,000 cost, town officials said.

The department needs two cruisers to operate efficiently, Cline told selectmen. “We need to make that happen, sooner rather than later …. This has been thrust upon the town at a time when we really didn't need it, but accidents do occur from time to time,” he said.

A second cruiser is needed for everything from school zone enforcement to the Fourth of July, the chief said. In addition, as long as the department has just one, that vehicle is racking up mileage around the clock,  he said.

Board members considered waiting to see how the town budget vote goes June 11, then looking at which approved funds could be tapped for the cruiser.

But Selectman Judy Colby called for a straightforward approach: leaving those budgeted funds in tact and asking the town for more money.

“I'd rather just be honest with the people and say, 'Hey, we've got a problem here,” Colby said.

A board meeting will be called to sign the warrant for the special town meeting, Town Manager Laurie Smith said. The open town meeting planned for the vote removes the need for a public hearing, she said.

Following the discussion, Cline said he was satisfied with how selectmen were handling the matter. It's a step in the right direction toward getting a cruiser, he said.

Sewer funds sought

Selectmen agreed to apply for federal loan and grant funds toward sewer upgrades totaling as much as $1.2 million. A 29-year-loan at 2.75 percent interest would cost about $36,000 a year in payments, Smith said.

Wiscasset's low-income areas make the town eligible for the Rural Development money; with any amount the town receives, 80 percent would be a loan and the other 20 percent would be grant money, Smith said.

Applying does not obligate the town to borrow the money, town officials said.

Montsweag Brook parcel update

The board instructed Smith to find out how much an engineer's inspection of the dam at Montsweag Brook would cost. Board Chairman Pam Dunning predicted it could take close to half of the $100,000 Central Maine Power gave the town along with approximately 22 acres of land there.

The dam is the property's biggest asset, but also the biggest liability, Smith said.

Wiscasset Conservation Commission Chairman Anne Leslie updated selectmen on the panel's review of the parcel. Access appears to be the major issue to sort out, she said.

The easterly access has two locked gates that belong to CMP; questions include whether or not the gates could be removed and, if not, what times of day they would be unlocked, and by whom, Leslie said.

Neighbor Rob Dentico is concerned that people could use the property disrespectfully, Leslie said.

Dunning said the future use of the land should be kept very simple. “I don't anticipate it being turned into a big park.”

“Nor do I,” Leslie said. While there are still more questions than answers, “It's actually a lovely parcel,” she said.

Curtis recognized

Tuesday was Selectman William Curtis' last meeting on the board. Fellow selectmen and meeting-goers thanked him for his service.

Interest in Middle Street lot?

Smith said she has heard there may be parties interested in buying 25 Middle Street, the same tax-acquired lot the board has been considering for a possible parking lot.

Selectmen decided to wait for the results of an asbestos assessment before they consider either taking bids on the property or demolishing the  home there to create the parking lot.

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