I have read the studies, and this is what I know:
The Maine Department of Transportation’s most recent traffic study, dated 1997, examined 17 alternatives to moving traffic through Wiscasset, including “Downtown Changes” (now called Options 1 and 2). A graph in the study titled “Reductions in Study Area Congestion” shows that three alternatives would have no impact on traffic congestion: “Downtown Changes,” “Wiscasset Route 27 Signal” and “Do Nothing.”
• MDOT spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on promotional materials to sell the “Downtown Changes” plan (Option 2) to Wiscasset.
• MDOT commissioned an independent report on the impact of removing on-street parking. That report warned of the severe economic impacts to downtown businesses if on-street parking was removed. Then MDOT edited that report, deleting the warnings and rewriting it until it appeared to support the plan they were selling.
• MDOT said the federal government would fund 80 percent of the project and Wiscasset’s historic district would be protected by the federal review process. Then MDOT declined federal funding, instead using only Maine taxpayers’ dollars, which eliminated all federal protections.
• MDOT said they wouldn’t use eminent domain. Then they did.
• MDOT said they would adhere to all local laws. Then MDOT told contractors to ignore Wiscasset ordinances and demolish the historic Haggett building without a permit.
• MDOT said construction would stop during July and August. MDOT’s published schedule calls for work to continue throughout the summer.
MDOT has proven time and again that it is not an honest broker. The town was right to take MDOT to court. Let a judge decide. Vote “yes” on April 17 to continue the suit against MDOT. A group of concerned citizens has agreed to privately fund all legal costs – it won’t cost you or the town a dime to vote “yes.”
Kim Dolce
Wiscasset
Send questions/comments to the editors.
