Wiscasset Selectman James Andretta told the board Oct. 17, a developer is still interested in leasing about 150 acres for a solar project on town land opposite Maine Yankee on Old Ferry Road. The board agreed to Andretta’s suggestion to have the budget committee look into it.

“The developer reached out and is still interested in pursuing (it),” Andretta said. He described the idea as similar to the lease the board approved for the solar farm at Wiscasset Municipal Airport. Town Manager Dennis Simmons said Oct. 18, that lease is for $28,000 a year for 20 town acres, for 20 years.

“So when you talk about 150 acres, it’s getting up there for a lease payment every year,” Andretta said in the meeting.

“That is just a great idea,” Selectman Terry Heller said. In an April email where Andretta first floated the prospect, he said the town “could potentially get” yearly lease payments of $1,000-$2,500 or more per acre, with periodic maintenance being the only traffic, “making a great tenant/neighbor.”

That email noted the site abuts a maintained, upgraded transmission line, “the primary thing developers look for and will pay premium leasing rates on.” Besides the lease payments are taxes the developer would be responsible for, Andretta said in the Oct. 17 meeting at the town office and over Zoom and YouTube.

Midcoast Solar is the interested firm, Simmons said via email.

The land, east of the power line and toward Birch Point Road and Route 144, is about half the acreage the town owns there, according to Andretta.

Reviewing department heads’ monthly reports, selectmen commented on Harbormaster Lawrence Hesseltine’s mention of worms that went missing. “Took a report of worms stolen from a worm cart. Was able to check the camera and found no one went to the worm cart, meaning the worms escaped because of not being properly secured,” the report stated.

Chair Sarah Whitfield said she was happy to read the worms got out on their own instead of having been stolen. Said Heller, “That was exciting. That was just flat exciting. I was rooting for the worms.”

“They made a run for it,” Selectman Pam Dunning said.

“That’s why we like those cameras,” Simmons said of the mystery’s solving.

The report also noted Deputy Harbormaster Callie Fairservice is checking the cameras after a report that a gas can was stolen from a skiff; also, a worm cart was under a ramp instead of in its assigned spot, and the ramp crushed the cart at high tide; two skiffs full of rainwater were pumped out; a moored boat full of rainwater was towed; and a sunken skiff near the sewer plant was placed on the town float, where the owner retrieved it. 

When the board approved Richard and Vanessa Jordan’s 2024 special amusement permit for Wiscasset Speedway, Dunning noted she has heard a lot of good feedback in town about the West Alna Road business the Kingfield couple have owned 11 years. “Congratulations,” Dunning said. “Thank you,” Vanessa Jordan said. “We’ll continue to carry on. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Selectman William “Bill” Maloney said he lives on Federal Street and feels like he is back in Italy when he hears the “bzzz, bzzz” from the track. “Sounds like the little motor scooters,” he said, laughing. “You draw a good crowd,” he added.

A hearing drew no comment on the proposed cannabis rule changes on the Nov. 7 ballot. And reviewing monthly financials, Maloney observed departments are holding well to their budgets, both on income and costs.