Writing this week’s piece on Wiscasset’s new harbor master Preston Dunning, we thought about noting that, as a lifelong Wiscasset resident, a Wiscasset High grad and ambulance service volunteer, who once worked at the old full-service Texaco in town, Dunning, like other natives or near natives, is Wiscasset.

Sticking around and withstanding the post-Maine Yankee belt-tightening and recent years’ other economic strains says something about those who did, and their connection with the town.

But we also report regularly on the contributions of those who haven’t been in the midcoast long. Living in or outside Wiscasset limits, they, too, do business here, create art, shop or eat here, pay rent or taxes on properties that have been in their families for generations or not; attend school here, or did; summer here then wisely fly south every winter; or just stay a year or two, living in town while they have work nearby.

Using the community center, the library or the airport won’t get you a Wiscasset voting card; neither will some of those other things. But they make you part of the town’s flowing fabric, adding to its economy, on-the-street hellos and volunteer work.

Which gets at another Wiscasset story this week, stemming in part from the town’s residents-only rule for some committees. There is talk of possible change to the rule.

Because it’s an ordinance, residents, natives and newcomers alike, will approve or reject a proposal, if there is one. As they sort through any arguments to include or exclude non-residents from serving, and to what degree, we’re confident they’ll take into consideration the non-residents who also pay into the town budget and school budget, stop and talk at the supermarket, attend Wiscasset churches and events, and work and volunteer alongside them.

We’re not sure where the issue will go, if anywhere, but hopefully there’s plenty of room for middle ground.