Wiscasset Town Manager Marian Anderson announced Tuesday night, the Department of Public Works was finishing paving the parking lot, and would be working on an Americans with Disabilities-compliant sidewalk to connect with the sidewalk that fronts Route 1 and one that leads to the war memorial. The stub of the driveway hasn’t connected with Route 1 since the state removed the curb cut as part of the Route 27 traffic light project.

Selectman Ben Rines, Jr. objected, saying the stub of the former driveway was very useful during Memorial Day services, especially for older people to stand in.

Anderson said it was decided the driveway was confusing to some people, and was a safety issue. She recounted a group of Maine State Police cars driving down the driveway and across the grass, pulling out onto Route 1 when the curb cut had already been removed and grass already planted.

Rines said the board should have been informed. Anderson said the board at the time knew all about the decision. Road Commissioner Doug Fowler said it would cost more to replace the hard top on the stub.

Rines moved to repave the stub. Bob Blagden seconded the motion. He objected to the state’s role in the removal of the driveway in the first place. Katharine Martin-Savage was swayed by the argument that older people would have a hard time attending Memorial Day services without a solid surface to stand on.

Anderson said it was still a safety issue. “We can put some flower pots at the end of the driveway, or even a bench,” Rines said. The vote was 3-2, with Kim Andersson and Judy Colby voting against. In a revote because the issue was not on the agenda, it was again 3-2. The stub will be repaved.

During public comment, Bill Maloney suggested the town have a job that would be part-time planner and part-time community development specialist. “You, as a board have done a very good job on holding the line on expenses. However ... there are built-in increases in many of these expenses that are out of your control.” He said the solution is to expand the tax base and no one now working for the town has the time. The job would be a “one-stop shopping contact for builders, developers, homeowners, and businesses looking to relocate, build, and locate in the community.” The job would also review plans for homeowner building, additions, and more, and approve the plans if they meet code without the person having to go before any applicable board. “The bad news is that this will cost the town money,” Maloney said. “However, in a few years, with the appropriate individual, it should more than pay for itself.”

Pam Logan asked if the town could publish when it plans leaf-sweeping in various neighborhoods. Fowler said it was not possible and not something he was prepared to do. “We don’t want people sweeping their leaves into the roads. We sweep the leaves because they will clog the drains.”

Brad Sevaldson was appointed to the Ordinance Review Committee; Shaye Paradis was reappointed to the Budget Committee; and Danielle Clement was appointed to the Cooper-DePerri Scholarship Committee.

After a public hearing, selectmen approved Wiscasset Speedway's special amusement permit, 5-0.

Leslie Roberts of the Historic Preservation Commission asked for $200 for a mailing to residents in the historic district. At first, Colby said the funds were not available and should have been requested in time for the June town meeting, but after some discussion, the board decided the $1,000 the commission had requested for secretarial services could be tapped for the mailing. The request passed, 5-0.

The tobacco-free public areas ordinance was tabled. The discussion raised questions about what the ordinance would do that state law did not already do, and if the ORC had misinterpreted selectmen's request that tobacco be prohibited from some town properties, including schools, the playground, and the community center.

The public hearing about the ambulance service is Oct. 16.

A new business license was granted to Kelly Lester and Victor Churchill, doing business as the Marketplace Cafe. Midcoast Humane, formerly Lincoln County Animal Shelter, announced a rate increase from $1 to $1.15 per capita.

Anderson said because the town doesn't evict seniors for taxes, a change Gov. Paul LePage has signed into law about tax lien foreclosure doesn't really affect Wiscasset, but she said the town is in compliance with the new law.