Dear Editor:

The Wiscasset waterfront and deep harbor is one of our town’s greatest assets, and a source of pride. We have an opportunity to create exactly what this town needs for our waterfront – economic development. It’s on the town ballot set for June 14. And there’s a story behind it.

Over the last 20 years several plans have been proposed for developing the waterfront to create revenue for the town – and each time they failed to get the support of the selectboard. This year is different.

The selectboard has given the green light to a modest Pier Extension plan for $174,500. It is within our means, and is built into the proposed capital reserve budget. And it is a solid, small, phase-1 type plan … with amazing potential.

At the direction of the town manager, the Waterfront Committee and an engineering firm designed 14 slips on a new pier that would pay for itself in 4 to 10 years. A simple, small, solid plan. Under different scenarios, it could generate anywhere from $30,000 and more every year. It could help keep taxes down. We could use that!

But disaster has struck. When you get your ballot, you will see that on question #45 the budget committee voted 0-7 against it because … “it’s too soon” … “it’s squishy” … the very words of a former selectboard member on the budget committee and the budget chairman when questioned, on the record, why they voted against it.

We vehemently disagree. The Pier Extension plan is solid, and it’s been a long time coming.

For the first time in 20 years, we have a selectboard that is backing the town to create economic development of our greatest asset – the waterfront. A once-in-a-generation opportunity. Let’s not waste it.

On June 14, vote yes on #45.

Wiscasset Waterfront Committee

Susan Robson, Chair

Dick Forrest, Frank Sprague,

David Gagnon and Ron Leeman