Reading Wiscasset department heads' monthly reports in selectmen's meeting packets at wiscasset.gov can be more interesting than that might sound. There can be humor, like the "Ghost in the Machine" headline in Sewer Department Superintendent Robert Lalli's March report (part of the board's April 21 packet), about a tripped generator at a Birch Point Road pump station. 

There can be gentle reach outs, like Fire Chief Robert Bickford's noting the department, with 17 active members and six "lifetime" ones, is "always looking for new members that are interested in serving their community."

And there can be new or continued signs of potential development, including, in Economic Development Director Aaron Chrostowsky's report, updates on one of the region's ever-present issues, housing. He said correspondence continued with a developer's representative about "building 170 apartments (market rate and workforce) on Bath Road. This exciting project could be transformative. They have created some conceptual drawings (and) are requesting a TIF." And Chrostowsky had more to report. He headlined it, "Housing - 210 Old Bath Road," and he wrote: "I am working with a realtor and landowner to develop approximately 30 acres off Old Bath Road. An adjacent parcel owned by the same landowner was reserved for open space for the Page Avenue Apartments. I am working with the Town Attorney to develop that parcel."

There is so much more of interest across these reports. If you can take a few minutes, or several, peruse them monthly for a closer look at town business and often one or more chuckles. Remember the worm escape of 2023? Selectmen learned of it though the harbormaster's report. So did we and, therefore, our readers. Revisit selectmen's funny comments on the worm incident at wiscassetnewspaper.com

Selectmen often voice appreciation for the department heads' reports. We are thankful, too, for the thoroughness and for the descriptions even we who do not work in government can understand.