BILL PEARSON Sat, 02/06/2021 - 8:15am
Lincoln County Commissioner Bill Blodgett watches as Sheriff Todd Brackett assembles a new flagpole for meetings at the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission building. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
Since December, Wiscasset has negotiated with Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission about entering into a consulting contract. On Feb. 4, negotiations culminated with a deal as the county commissioners voted 2-0 to enter into an agreement. Under the contract, LCRPC will provide assistance in six planning projects. The contract calls for commission assistance to the town’s comprehensive planning committee’s work on the new comprehensive plan, working with municipal officials and committees developing a renewable energy plan, planning for certain town-owned properties’ reuse and projects, site planning for redevelopment options for the former Mason Station power plant, seeking project funding and grant writing, and general
BILL PEARSON Wed, 01/27/2021 - 4:00pm
Sheriff Todd Brackett seeks Lincoln County Commissioner Bill Blodgett’s signature for renewing four shellfish contracts Jan. 26 during the bimonthly meeting. BILL PEARSON/Boothbay Register
In Fiscal Year 21, Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset experienced a $294,919 budget shortfall due to unanticipated expenses. On Jan. 26, Lincoln County Administrator Carrie Kipfer announced under Gov. Janet Mills’ $3 million FY 22 supplemental budget, Lincoln and Sagadahoc will be reimbursed for those expenses. “The jail’s expenses exceeded revenues. I worked with (Jail Administrator) James Bailey on unanticipated and capital expenses, like repairs and purchasing new equipment for $39,000. I later spoke to the state, and those funds will be split between the two counties, and transferred to the jail,” she said. Kipfer expected the fund transfer to occur on Jan. 27.
Sandy Gilbreath, LCRPC Thu, 01/28/2021 - 10:00am
The Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission is launching a monthly newsletter to distill information and educate the public, interested parties, and local governments about the recently released “Maine Won’t Wait: A Four-Year Plan for Climate Action” report. The series, titled “LCRPC Interprets!” will dive into a different strategy from the plan each month, and discuss how Lincoln County will be affected and what actions can be taken. The newsletter will also highlight a different business each month through an interview on how they will be impacted by climate change.
“We are excited to be sharing this information with anyone interested in learning more about climate change, and how Maine and our local communities can act and adapt. No degrees in climate science necessary!” say Emily Rabbe and Sandy Gilbreath, the LCRPC staff who have developed this project as part of their Department of Agriculture, Cons
SUSAN JOHNS Wed, 01/27/2021 - 8:45am
What is the best thing about a full plate? Be it a plate of to-do’s or a dinner plate, the best part is, it is there. A town working on little is a town not gaining ground. Wiscasset has a full plate these days, and that is a good start.
Will it be a connector site for off-shore wind energy? The pros, cons and questions will be flowing as the government and other entities explore options and implications. We will track the matter as it unfolds and, if you have questions you think we should be asking, email news@wiscassetnewspaper.com
The former Wiscasset Primary School Monday morning, Jan. 18. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper
According to a document released ahead of Wiscasset selectmen’s Tuesday, Jan. 19 meeting, new help may be coming to possibly get something going at the former Wiscasset Primary School.
Town Manager Dennis Simmons’ report, released via email Jan. 14, states he has asked Mary Ellen Barnes and Emily Rabbe of Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission to contact owner Steve Barndollar “to assist in getting his project moving forward.” The school on Gardiner Road closed in 2015. Wiscasset moved students to Wiscasset Middle School, renamed it Wiscasset Elementary and moved older students to the high school, now Wiscasset Middle High.