Wiscasset selectmen recognized the promotion of Alfred “Willy” Simmons to police sergeant at their meeting Tuesday evening. The hearing room was filled to capacity with members of Simmons’ family and many friends.

The ceremony began with Town Clerk Linda Perry swearing in Simmons. With all the officers of Wiscasset Police Department looking on, Police Chief Troy Cline then presented Simmons with his sergeant’s bars and a framed certificate of promotion. Later in the evening a reception for Simmons was held at the police station.

After the ceremony, selectmen covered a wide range of business including a discussion on whether non-residents could serve on committees. The town’s bylaws require appointments of residents to the budget and airport committees. Others like the waterfront committee apparently don’t have this requirement. Selectmen recently appointed a non-resident to the waterfront committee. 

Chairman Ben Rines Jr. said he’d prefer to appoint only residents. But selectmen Judy Colby and David Cherry felt it depended on the committee and the bylaws. It was Selectman Judy Flanagan who brought the matter to the board’s attention. During the discussion it was learned the board had one non-resident member currently on the airport committee. They said he will be asked to resign.

Selectmen made the following appointments: Jason Putnam, cemetery committee, Frank Barnako, investment advisory board, Richelle Pontau, appearance of the town committee, Joe Marshall, budget committee, and Joan Barnes, board of appeals

Selectmen continued with their efforts to collect unpaid taxes and sewer bills. Three additional properties were foreclosed on for unpaid taxes and turned over to the town’s real estate broker for sale.

 Policy amended

Colby said she recently learned of a policy preventing town employees from serving in an elected office. She said because she works for the school department, she would be forced to resign from office if the policy weren’t amended.

MMA’s advice on the matter was that Colby continue to serve as a selectman provided she recused herself from all matters pertaining to the school department. The board agreed to amend the policy by rewording this provision.

Selectmen opened five bids for furnace work at the airport. The bid packages were turned over to Town Manager Marian Anderson to review with the airport manager. 

Monies needed for the furnace work will be sought at a special town meeting. Voters will also be asked to raise $57,058 to cover the first loan payment for withdrawing from Regional School Unit 12. No date has been set for the town meeting. Selectmrn will meet with the budget committee at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11 in the hearing room and discuss this further.

Rines noted the budget committee had only three of its nine seats filled. He asked any resident interested in serving on this committee to notify the town office. Vacancies are also available on the waterfront and other committees.

The town manager announced interviews have been completed for harbormaster, town planner and town mechanic and these positions will soon be filled. Interviews will begin shortly for EMS director.

Selectmen put off discussion of the investment accounts after a representative from H.M. Payson Investment was a no-show. 

At 7:50 p.m. the board entered into executive session for contract negotiations. Rines recused himself from the discussions due to his past association with the union.