Wiscasset renewing July 4 traditions wiscassetnewspaper.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wiscassetnewspaper.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
SUSAN JOHNS
File photo
Wiscasset voters take up a proposed $6,116,034 municipal budget Tuesday, June 8. The sum is $249,575 higher than the 2020-21 budget, Town Manager Dennis Simmons said in a May 28 email response to questions.
Simmons said leading factors in the increase include the 2.5% wage hike for all employees except the police department, whose union contract is not yet settled. “We are also requesting the addition of one full-time police officer, though we are applying for a grant to pay for 75% of the wages and fringe benefits.”
The town saw an increase in water rates and hydrant rentals, Simmons continued; and selectmen are requesting an increase in their contingency from $30,000 to $50,000.
Dear Editor:
We are writing to ask Wiscasset residents to vote for Terry Heller for the town’s Select Board. Since moving to Wiscasset from Texas five years ago, she has dedicated herself to revitalizing the historic downtown. Her enthusiasm, vision and energy has manifested itself in numerous ways.
She has been a volunteer leader in our community as head of the Appearance of the Town Committee from planting daffodils on the common to rebuilding the historic landscape architecture in the Sunken Garden.
She has taken great interest in the work of the ordinances committee in helping come up with good policy for our new sidewalks, and worked hard with the Friends of Wiscasset Village to resolve parking concerns of the businesses downtown.
BILL PEARSON
Edgecomb town hall. File photo
Davis Island residents were notified last week when a proposed two-tiered Wiscasset Water District rate increase would occur. And on May 3, Superintendent Chris Cossette explained why. Cossette met with Edgecomb selectmen about the proposed increase and discussed other issues floating around regional water issues. On July 1, Edgecomb (Davis Island) ratepayers will see a 19% rate increase which covers additional hydrant rental fees. Cossette reported the annual hydrant rental rate would increase to $1,954.31 or $234 more. In 2022, the second rate increase would bring the fee to $2,579. Davis Island is the only portion of Edgecomb the Wiscasset Water District serves.
SUSAN JOHNS Wed, 04/21/2021 - 8:45am
Wiscasset officials and other attendees take part in selectmen’s April 20 Zoom meeting. Zoom screenshot
Over Zoom and Youtube Tuesday night, April 20, Wiscasset selectmen listened to, praised and talked about acting soon on teenagers’ request the town help address climate change.
“Wiscasset is an amazing place. It’s beautiful. But we need to keep it that way,” Wiscasset Middle High School freshman Grace Greene said. The new WMHS group, Sheepscot Climate Action Club, was Greene’s idea, teacher Ralph Keyes said. Keyes, fellow teachers Brad Lopes and Seth Platikus, and 2020 WMHS graduate Maria West advise the club. Greene’s fellow members are freshmen Julia Truesdell, Emily Gilliam, Nevaeh Campbell and Linnea Andersson, homeschool student Bri Wright, senior Ty DeLong and junior Brianna Colson.