Wiscasset’s Farmers’ Market can stay at the waterfront through the summer and into the fall. The select board was asked to move it after complaints the market was taking up parking spaces used by pleasure and commercial boaters. The board decided Tuesday, Aug. 4 at Wiscasset Community Center.

Market organizers had learned they may have to move to the dirt causeway at the end of Pleasant Street. The causeway extends into Bradbury Cove leading to the condemned White’s Island footbridges.

After hearing from the police chief and harbor master, the board agreed the farmers’ market could finish the season near the town pier. Police Chief Larry Hesseltine said parking was tight on Wednesday afternoon, the day of the market, but nothing the department couldn’t deal with. Harbor Master Ray Soule said he had gotten only two complaints on the market, one last year and one this year.

Selectman Kim Andersson recommended letting the market stay the rest of the season. “I didn’t see a problem when I was down there,” she said. Andersson suggested more signage the day of the market.

Organizers are looking at other locations for next year.

Sunken Garden shed can stay

In a 3-2 vote, the board rescinded its earlier vote and will allow a shed to remain at the Sunken Garden. Andersson, Katharine Martin-Savage and Ben Rines Jr. voted the shed can stay. They based their decision on a recent legal opinion. Selectman Jeff Slack and Chairman Judy Colby dissented.

Volunteers who maintain the small park at the corner of Federal and Main streets store tools and gardening supplies in the shed at the rear of the property.

In March 2019, the board voted unanimously the shed had to be removed after resident Steve Christianson noted the Sunken Garden’s deed prohibited buildings. “The deed still says no buildings,” he commented.

Gift of land

The board will pursue a gift of 20 wooded acres offered to the town by resident Judy Flanagan and her brothers, Chuck, Dean and Harry Shea. The property abuts the community playground and ballfield and is located between Route 27 and Federal Street.

“Let’s go ahead and seal the deal,” commented Colby. The board has authority to accept the land gift without a town vote.

Andersson updated the board on progress of the comprehensive planning committee. It met in July following a six-month hiatus resulting in part from the COVID-19 pandemic. She said the committee was developing a survey. Residents could provide feedback on the town’s website linked under the comprehensive planning tab. The committee also has a Facebook page where updates are shared..

Public Works Director Ted Snowdon announced the hiring of Brian Swift.

The meeting was the first with Dennis Simmons as town manager. Simmons had been Wiscasset’s EMS director.

The board plans to arrange a meeting in September with Cenergy officials to discuss their proposed solar project at Wiscasset Municipal Airport. Rines said he had questions on the lease arrangements. Cenergy’s contract will be forwarded to the town’s attorney for a legal opinion. “We haven’t spent any money on this proposal yet but this is where it starts getting expensive,” commented Simmons.

The board meets next on Aug. 18 in the WCC gymnasium.