Boards and Committees

The Planning Board responsibilities include, but are not limited to the review of subdivisions under State Subdivision Law and Wiscasset Subdivision Ordinance, site plan review for non-residential development, and consideration of zoning and ordinance changes. Between July 2007 and July 2008, the Planning Board considered 16 land development proposals and 3 ordinance changes. This represented a decrease in development proposals from the previous fiscal year. Of note is the reduction of subdivision proposals and increase in non-residential projects under 2,000 sq. ft. Between July 2007 and July 2008, the Planning Board considered the following proposals:

3,340 sq. ft. shop and showroom addition (Maine Coast Log Homes, Inc.)
1,248 sq. ft. storage building (Hunt Co.)
Subdivision amendment (Hunt Co.)
Shoreline stabilization (Whites Island)
1,900 sq. ft. auto garage addition (Grover Tire and Auto)
Subdivision amendment (Chet Clark)
1,800 sq. ft. kitchen facility (Chewonki Foundation)
Construct self-storage facility (Tim Sinburne)
Kitchen renovation and barn relocation (Chewonki Foundation)
Comprehensive Plan Amendments (Town of Wiscasset)
34 unit residential subdivision, roads, utilities, fire pond (Clark’s Point Subdivision)
Noise Ordinance (Town of Wiscasset)
High Street Parking Amendments (Town of Wiscasset)
Port and Harbor Ordinance Amendments (Town of Wiscasset)
5,000 sq. ft. parking lot expansion (Wiscasset Dental)
768 sq. ft. storage building (Wiscasset Sno-Goers)
Subdivision amendment (Hunt Co.)
3-lot subdivision (B2 Group, LLC)
Construct a Small Wind Energy Conversion System (Kenneth Connors)

The Planning Board members are Chair Steve House, Al Cohen, Tony Gatti, Jill Lorom, Peter McRae, Karl Olson, Ray Soule, Lester Morse, and Jackie Lowell. The Planning Board meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal Hearing Room at Town Hall.

Ordinance Review Committee. The purpose of the Ordinance Review Committee is to provide the Selectmen, Planning Board and Town Planner with advice and recommendations on existing ordinance revisions, ordinance amendments, ordinance adoptions, and rezoning applications. Issues that may be considered include land use, community planning, growth-related matters, general ordinance development, and other issues which may ultimately affect the quality of life for present and future residents. The Ordinance Review Committee performs the above-mentioned work at the request of the Selectmen. Between July 2007 and July 2008, the Ordinance Review Committee considered the following items:

Nuisance Noise Ordinance
Zoning Noise Ordinance
Coastal Waters Ordinance
Contract Zoning
High Street Parking Amendments
Road Sign Ordinance
Home/Business Numbering Ordinance
Building Laws/Subdivision Amendments
Historic Preservation Ordinance
Conservation Commission Policy
Port and Harbor Ordinance Amendments
Shellfish Conservation Ordinance Amendments
Future Land Use Ordinances

The Ordinance Review Committee members include Chair Conrad Schilke, Pat Barnes, Larry Lomison, Jackie Lowell, Karl Olson, and Jill Lorom. The Committee meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Hearing Room at Town Hall.

Comprehensive Plan Committee. Wiscasset is a special and unique place. Although small in terms of size and population, Wiscasset is quite diverse and complex. Wiscasset is known for its history including classical architecture, Old Jail, Sunken Garden, Ancient Cemetery, and a prosperous deep-harbor shipping port during the 18th and 19th century; Its natural resources including two tidal rivers, wildlife, farmland, nature preserves, and freshwater streams; Its diverse built environment including an intact historic village, race track, residential communities, airport, environmental education center, and a decommissioned nuclear power plant. All of these factors represent the need for a proactive response to the changes that growth will inevitably bring to Wiscasset. In response, the Town has prepared a Comprehensive Plan to chart a course for Wiscasset over the next decade.

The Comprehensive Plan Committee was established for the purpose of reviewing and updating the Town of Wiscasset Comprehensive Plan. Beginning around 2001, a Committee of town staff, consultants and citizen volunteers initiated the development of a complete revision of the former Comprehensive Plans. The process for developing a new Comprehensive Plan used the 1989 and 1999 Plans and other planning initiatives as a starting point. Then, the Committee analyzed existing conditions, developed a vision for the future of Wiscasset, established strategic directions to guide Town actions and resource commitments towards achieving the vision, and created specific goals, policies and strategies to guide Plan implementation. After many meetings and a lot of work, the Comprehensive Plan received both state and local approval during 2008.

Both large and small numbers have participated on the Comprehensive Plan Committee during the past several years. Currently, the Committee members include Chair Eric Dexter, Gwenn de Mauriac, Karl Olson, John Reinhardt, Anne Leslie, Sean Rafter, Larry Lomison, David Cherry, and Jackie Lowell. The Committee will meet on an as-needed basis to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan.

Conservation Commission. The Conservation Commission is a new addition to our municipal boards, committees and commissions. The purpose of this commission is to protect, conserve and enhance the natural resources of the Wiscasset. The commission is responsible for conducting research and giving advice that will utilize, protect and plan for the Town’s natural resources and open spaces. The commission will coordinate its activities with Town boards, committees, municipal departments, the public, and other conservation bodies.

The commission members are David Lieser, Larry Barnes, Anne Leslie, Dan Sortwell, and Larry Lomison. The commission meets on the first Monday of each month.

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