The development was the subject of review for the Wiscasset selectmen Tuesday night with offers from Thomas Boudin of Edgecomb and Jeremy Williams of Hampden.

Both operation plans are for a fixed base of operation for the airport which could potentially keep the airport open, something that is required because the airport's runway and other fixtures were federally-funded.

Dick Goodrich, owner of Downeast Charters and current operator of the airport, informed the selectmen March 31 that he would not sign a lease with the town and plans to move his business to Florida.

Goodrich said at that time his business opportunities were rapidly expanding, largely at Opa Locka Airport near Miami. He also gave the increasing difficulty of traveling back and forth to Florida as a reason for his decision.

Town officials have expressed concern that a replacement be found in time for the busy summer season.

Recently, the Airport Committee questioned Downeast's management of the airport pointing to operating hours and fuel availability.

First Selectman Bob Blagden said last month that it was an urgent matter and an interim may have to be hired if necessary.

Tuesday night, things looked brighter to the selectmen, who met with the committee after the meeting to look more closely at each proposal and plan to meet some time next week with the two businessmen making the proposals.

"It would be about as permanent as you could get," Blagden said about them.

At a March meeting, Goodrich reported he had shut down Downeast's repair shop the week before and received interest in the company's current charter contract with the state.

In other business this week, the selectmen signed a contract with Dirigo Engineering of Waterville to oversee the repair of the water pumping station on Route 27, which services the primary and high schools and the Wiscasset Community Center.

The project, which the town budgeted $175,000 for in March, has been under specified potential output, which should be about 1,000 gallons per minute.

The Waterville-based firm will be responsible for receiving bids for the work to be done.

Don Jones of the Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Committee reported that subcommittees from the committee and the Wiscasset Regional Business Association met last week to discuss the development of Internet web pages to attract prospective businesses to the area.

A discussion about fee differences for the Wiscasset Softball League between residents and nonresidents ended with a consensus of the board in favor of keeping them the same.

Ed Pooler of the league questioned the fairness of having sponsors to pay more per team than others because they may have more non-residents on a particular team.

First Selectman Blagden contended, "I don't think it's unfair to pass on an additional burden to non-residents who made no investments at all. Residents have already made a healthy investment."

Concerning any change in the fee schedule, Selectman Roy Barnes added, "I have a question about it, since the recreation department has always charged residents a certain amount and nonresidents more."

Currently residents are charged $10 and non-residents $20 per team member picked up by sponsors.

Blagden emphasized, "Our goal isn't to take in money. Our goal is to make sure the residents' interest is protected."

Speaking about the public hearing on a salmon raising proposal scheduled for Wednesday] after presstime] Blagden said, "Our major concern is the water quality and any possible effect on navigation of the waterway."

Plans call for a facility on the Sheepscot River near Mason Station, a location that has been discussed in the past as a possible shipping area cite pursuant to the station's refurbishing by Florida Power and Light.

So far, five fishermen contacted Blagden about their concerns and negative reaction to the proposal before the public hearing, which was questioned because of what was considered inadequate advance notice.

Appointments approved Tuesday to the Wiscasset Shellfish Committee were Don James, Tim James, Paul Dickson, David Sutter, Bill Sutter, Dick Forrest, Ray Collamore, and Stuart Wyman.