The selectmen discussed whether they should accept an invitation from plant officials, given the current fight over the plant's valuation. The town claims the plant should be taxed based on the value of the land as a nuclear waste storage facility. Maine Yankee disagrees, saying the land is basically worthless because there is no immediate plan by the federal government to remove the fuel.

Chairman Mike Blagdon said for years the company "provided us with a lifestyle we couldn't have afforded otherwise." At one time the plant paid as much as 93 percent of the town's taxes.

However, selectman Ben Rines said the company hasn't treated the town well since it closed.

"I think we should turn the invitation down," Rines said. "They've gone out of their way to hurt us. I don't think we should go down to their property."

The selectmen decided to leave it up to each individual as to whether they would accept the invitation.

Selectman Judy Flanagan said, "I'm disappointed that we're not going to go as a board." Route 1 Bypass Update

The selectmen agreed to have town manager Andrew Gilmore "strongly invite" the state Department of Transportation (MDOT) to meet with them to provide an update on the latest work on the Route 1 bypass.

Selectman Karl Tarbox said the governor's administrative assistant, Jane Lincoln, has asked what the town's position is on the proposed routes.

Town manager Andrew Gilmore said the selectmen still have an opportunity to take a position before the environmental impact statement comes out, probably in December or January.

Route 1 Speed

Advocates for lowering the speed limit on Route 1 have lost one battle, but won another. Wiscasset received a letter from the MDOT denying the toiwn's request to lower the speed limit from the Woolwich town line into Wiscasset, but won a request to lower the speed limit from 35 miles and hour to 25 miles an hour from Holbrook's Pond to the municipal building. Snowplowing Bids

The selectmen awarded a snowplowing bid for the school system to Ron Harrison of Westport Island. Harrison bid $34 an hour. The only other bid was from Kent Reed of Wiscasset, who has done the job for 23 years. Reed's bid was $36.75 an hour.

Chairman Mike Blagdon, looking at Kent and Marci Reed who were at the meeting, said the situation "is a bit awkward" since the Wiscasset resident had done the job for so long.

Reed had the contract last year for $35 an hour, according to Road Commissioner Ron Lear, for a total of about $6,700 for the season.

Tarbox asked if the advertisement for bids specified preference would be given to residents. Lear said it did not.

"If we want to give preference to local people, that's all right, but we have to advertise that up front," Tarbox said.

"We would have to have a pretty strong reason for not going with the low bidder," said Flanagan.

Selectman Duane Goud agreed, saying, "This is an opportunity to save some money."

Selectmen voted 5 to 0 to award the contract to Harrison. Blagdon thanked the Reeds for their past years of service. Highway Loader Bids

Bids were opened for a highway loader, approved at the June town meeting. Southworth Machine, $154,371 with a trade in of $64,401 for a total purchase price of $89,970; Nortrax, $119,500, with a trade in of $44,500, for a total purchase price of $75,000; Beauregard Equipment, Inc. submitted two proposals; $120,068 with a trade in of $41,500 for a total purchase price of $78,568; and $116,568, with a trade in of $41,500 for a total purchase price of $75,068. Waterfront Pilings

Former waterfront committee chairman Don Jones suggested the recently replaced pilings be painted white on the top as they have been in the past, mostly for esthetic reasons.

Gilmore said the town has withheld its final payment of the work because former harbormaster Bill Sutter said the work hasn't been completed the way it should have been. Painting of the pilings was not included in the contractor's work, however. School Meeting Notices

Budget committee member George Greene suggested the monthly school committee meetings be posted on the sign in front of the municipal building. The committee usually meets the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in the high school library.

Fix The Mikes

Greene also suggested that the town fix the sound system in the municipal building meeting room. The system was installed about two years ago but hasn't worked properly.

Gilmore said he is waiting for the new equipment the town will be getting from Adelphia, under the recently signed cable agreement, rather than fixing the existing system. Wheelie Way

Selectmen approved the name Wheelie Way for a driveway which has two houses on it. 911 addressing requires that any driveway with two or more houses on it be named.