The newly seated Wiscasset select board accepted a request from Phil Di Vece of the Wiscasset Conservation Commission Tuesday for a state site inspection at the White’s Island bridges. The inspection is needed to apply for grant funds to repair, replace or remove the bridges.

The inspection would have to be completed by July 27. It is the first step for the town and Maine Coast Heritage Trust to apply for a competitive Shore and Harbor Grant for FY 19-20. Grants are matched 1:1, but the town’s match could include in-kind labor and supplies. The footbridges to White’s Island, which MCHT gifted to the town, are in poor repair and are dangerous to cross, according to Di Vece. The inspection would guide the town on what to do.  Di Vece said the bridges appear to be in such bad shape they are probably not repairable. He suggested replacing them with aluminum bridges,like the swinging bridge in Topsham, might be an option.

The other option, he suggested, would be to remove the bridges and let the island be a natural destination for kayaks or other small watercraft.

Previous estimates put the cost to replace the bridges at about $400,000, but the grant the commission is considering pursuing could be used for engineering work, offsetting the cost to the town. Selectmen agreed the footbridges would be a draw to Wiscasset. Di Vece cautioned, because the approaches lie in flood plains, there would have to be a discussion with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies, before construction could begin.

DiVece was got permission to seek the inspection, 5-0. He said if the town is approved to apply, the application would be due in the fall.

Town Manager Marian Anderson announced Edgecomb has selected the Damariscotta-based CLC Ambulance service, after Wiscasset provided a contract that increased costs and required the town to absorb uncollectable costs for its residents. She strongly urged the board to set a rate for Edgecomb to pay if Wiscasset answers a 911 call from Edgecomb. The board chose $270 per call, plus uncollectables, except when the mutual aid agreement is invoked.

Selectman Ben Rines Jr. brought up the issue of Wiscasset also going with CLC. The board will consider it July 10, selectmen's next meeting due to vacation conflicts and the Fourth of July.

Treasurer Vernice Boyce brought up school funding. Since the state confirmed during the audit that Wiscasset’s school department is a department of the town, not an independent unified school district, Boyce said she was of the opinion the town should have school funds at the town’s disposal at the beginning of the fiscal year. Selectman Kim Andersson said the department needed funds during the summer for teacher and other salaries on a 12-month plan, as well as insurance and other costs. Boyce said the school administration had concerns about her plan. Selectmen agreed to try to set up a meeting with the school committee and the new superintendent, Terry Wood to discuss school finance further.

Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Thompson said her expanded plans for July 4 proved more difficult than she anticipated, because many employees wanted the night off and it was too late to obtain the food trucks she thought would be available, but said the parade already has 10 floats scheduled, and there would be festivities at the waterfront, including a dunk tank to raise money for the EMS Department, and other family activities.

The board briefly reviewed eminent domain with regard to the avigation easement at Chewonki Campground. Anderson said she was still hopeful a friendly solution would be possible, but based on letters from the owners’ lawyer and the town’s June 12 response, it is possible the town will have to go through the eminent domain process. Andersson asked if it was possible to see the paperwork from the whole process. Anderson said she was welcome to come in and view the documents.

The board unanimously accepted the resignations of Harbormaster Levon Travis, Police Chief Jeffrey Lange and Code Enforcement Officer Stanley Waltz.

Selectmen opened bids for the sale of the old ambulance. It went to Warren Smith for $1,022.

The 2018 paving and chip bid, the airport tree clearing and mulching bid, and the parks and recreation truck bid will be reviewed by the Town Manager and the affected departments before the bids are awarded.

Susan Blagden complained about a lamp pole taller than others on High Street. Rines, Selectman Bob Blagden, and Public Works Director Doug Fowler said it was possible the lamp could be cut down. Susan Blagden was also concerned about the LED bulb in the lamp. Fowler said the cost of LED lights is considerably less than the incandescent variety, and are maintenance-free and better for the environment.

The board also agreed to the lamp designs the PAC presented for the downtown project.

Anderson said departments were all well within their budgets, except the contracted services budget for legal services. She said a special town meeting was needed to approve spending for legal services for the MDOT project and other legal matters as soon as the costs are fully known.