‘Holy cannoli’: $15K gift for Parks and Rec
SUSAN JOHNS
File photo
If Wiscasset voters agree in June, selectmen will have a committee explore options for the school department’s future. The warrant article arose from two split votes on Zoom Tuesday night, March 16.
Selectmen rejected 3-2 a proposed question Town Manager Dennis Simmons offered. Its scope aligned with residents Judith Colby and William Maloney’s proposal that started this year’s talks. Simmons’ proposed question read: “Shall the Town authorize the Selectmen to form an ad hoc committee to study the financial impact of the Wiscasset School Department discontinuing to offer grades 9-12 and offer those students tuition at a local school of their choice.”
SUSAN JOHNS
Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Director Duane Goud. File photo
Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Director Duane Goud told selectmen over Zoom Tuesday, Jan. 19, due to COVID-19 crowd limits, neither Winterfest nor the annual father-daughter dance can run on their usual dates. He was not sure Winterfest will happen this year.
Only 50 people can be indoors, and the dance draws 125-175 people, Goud said. As for Winterfest, which Selectman Sarah Whitfield asked about, Goud said: “I’m not sure if we’re going to be able to have it . If we do, we’re going to push it off. It might be toward the end of February.” He is waiting for any updates to the guidelines, he said. Winterfest’s trivia night gets 75-80 people, Goud noted.
PHIL DI VECE News Contributor Mon, 01/11/2021 - 7:45am
Linda and David Pope on the back porch of their Federal Street home. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
One of the two trail entrances into Sortwell Memorial Forest off Willow Lane. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
David Pope said rediscovering the solitude of the outdoors is one of the best things about hiking a network of trails behind Wiscasset Community Center and Morris Farm. Visitors to the vast land preserve minutes from Route 1 can see majestic white pines, flourishing hemlock groves, cascading streams, unusual glacial erratics, tranquil ponds and more. There are just a few problems. Parts of the trail system have become overgrown, trail markers are missing and a map needs updating.