Wiscasset selectmen May 18 adopted Wiscasset Middle High School’s Sheepscot Climate Action Club’s resolution 4-0-1, with Katharine Martin-Savage abstaining, Town Manager Dennis Simmons said in email replies to Wiscasset Newspaper May 19. The board adopted it with the understanding it was non-binding and the town might not do everything the resolution called for, Simmons said.

 

The document calls for greenhouse gas emissions “drawdown efforts,” researching climate change and otherwise preparing for “intensifying local climate impacts.”

Simmons said Selectman Sarah Whitfield, comprehensive plan committee chair, said she wanted to incorporate some of the club’s ideas into the comp plan; she encouraged the students to work with the committee.

 

“I'm a big proponent of young people getting involved in local government in general. Local government is often where changes actually happen and have more of an impact on daily life,” Whitfield explained in an email response to questions Friday, May 21. “Particularly with the rising sea level, we really need to plan ahead and the comprehensive plan is the perfect place to do that.

 

“ I think a number of their ideas, including the Climate Action Plan, can be incorporated into various chapters of the comprehensive plan, such as the natural and marine resources chapters,” Whitfield said. “I think too often comprehensive and strategic plans are written and then put on a shelf and having these students part of the process will help us make sure that we actually make progress. I look forward to working with them and seeing how we can utilize the research they have done and the recommendations they have made.”

 

Also in the board meeting at Wiscasset Community Center, Selectmen’s Chair Pam Dunning presented Norma Gordon with the 2020 town report dedicated to Gordon, Simmons said. He said Dunning thanked her for her many years of service to the town. According to the report’s dedication, Gordon served on the appearance of the town committee for decades and helped maintain the Sunken Garden and organize the town’s annual Christmas tree lighting.

 

Wiscasset’s July 4 parade is on, Simmons said. The board canceled last year’s parade and July 4 fireworks due to the pandemic. March 2, the board decided this year’s Fourth of July fireworks will go on.

 

Friday morning, May 21, Wiscasset Parks and Recreation’s Chelsea Taylor told Friends of Wiscasset Village members over Zoom, the department is “definitely going to be very involved in getting (the Fourth of July events) organized. The masons and Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce are interested in taking part; and she is reaching out to the American Legion, Taylor said.

 

Friends’ Bob Bond got the group laughing with his idea for a parade entry of people wearing scrubs and personal protective equipment and squirting giant syringes of water at parade-goers as “Happy days are here again” plays in recognition of the pandemic being on its way out.

 

“I’m serious,” Bond continued, smiling, as the laughter continued. Making air quotes, Brad Sevaldson said: “I say give it a, shot, Bob.”