Peter Wells told Friends of Wiscasset Village via Zoom Aug. 21, he and his Friends co-chair Will Truesdell came away from a recent lunch at Sarah’s Cafe with Town Manager Dennis Simmons with “a very positive vibe” from him.

“He’s open to work with us on all future projects. His door is open,” Wells said. He said they told Simmons, Friends would like better communication with the town when Friends presents plans. And Wells liked that Simmons has been sitting in on town board and committee meetings. “He’s off on the right foot with us.”

In a phone interview Aug. 26, Simmons described the conversation with Wells and Truesdell as very good. “I think that group is excited about the possibilities now that the (Maine Department of Transportation) project is winding down. I think that downtown area looks great, but I do think we need an organized plan as to what can ... and can’t happen there, and all the stakeholders need to get together and have that discussion.”

Simmons added, “The town’s ordinances allow us to regulate activities on the sidewalk on the north side of Route 1 as far as Federal Street and on the south side of Route 1 as far as Middle Street. And then from there down, that’s all still state right of way.”

The sidewalks were a main topic at lunch, according to the Friends co-chairs and Simmons. The waterfront can also be looked at for its possibilities, Simmons said. “We have a great waterfront down there and I think there’s potential for expanded use of the waterfront, which will help the businesses in the downtown area.”