A three-day music festival at Point East Maritime Village that would have a capacity of 10,000 people, with room for about 8,000 to camp, was proposed to Wiscasset selectmen Tuesday night.

The proposal was presented by Asa Kitfield, who said although this would be the first time he has been involved in the staging of a concert, he is working with production manager Michael Allgretto of San Diego, who has staged concerts for groups like Phish.

Kitfield, the son of Wiscasset physician Ed Kitfield, said he has "a bunch of partial investors."

"I'm confident that we will be able to raise the money," he said. "But there's a chance it could be moved back six months. Special music permits are good for a year."

"Joe Cotter, my partner, and I have decided we want to give 10 percent of the ticket sales, after expenses to local charities and organizations that have a common theme with the event." He described that common theme as "raising awareness of a greener home lifestyle." The festival would be called Power to the Plant, a reference to the closed Mason Station power plant, where the Point East Maritime Village is in its early stage of development.

In a description of his proposal, Kitfield wrote, "Power to the Plant will be a smaller take on European style, multi-day music and art festivals. The main event will be a multi-stage outdoor venue located at the Point East Maritime Village. The event will have a mix of different musical genres and performing arts that compliment each other as I see fit. The main theme will be the fusion of human industry; the decommissioned power plant, with the striking beauty of waterfront Maine and its nature. We want to use this property which was once a strong symbol of mankind's adverse effects on the environment, and reuse it to promote a positive side of human nature and a way to live in better harmony with planet earth.

"Along with having a bizarre [bazaar] where local and national vendors can sell their products and services we also want to have a section devoted to green vendors. In this area, local and national organizations that sell products and services that encourage a greener household lifestyle will be given discounted and/or free vendor access depending on their business structure."

Kitfield said he has talked to Don Hudson, president of the Chewonki Foundation, who liked the idea of allowing campers to camp out at the old Eaton Farm, land once owned by Maine Yankee and now owned by the Foundation. He is also looking at having parking at the Wiscasset Municipal Airport. Airport Manager Ervin Deck, who was at the meeting, said the Federal Aviation Administration has given permission in the past to close airports for such events.

The Morris Farm and the Clean Vibes Company, which cleaned up after the Phish concert in Limestone, will "help us coordinate our waste disposal and recycling programs," he said. Also included in his written proposal are security plans, a policy on alcohol, traffic control, water, commodes, and permitting.

Asked about insurance, Kitfield said he will have a policy that includes $5 million worth of coverage per incident. Selectman Bill Curtis asked about the noise levels. Kitfield said he will have some noise studies done. He said he has also talked to Wiscasset Police Lieutenant John Allen about the proposal.

Curtis also asked about provisions for medical care. Kitfield said there will be emergency personnel on site.

"I asked my father if he would do it," Kitfield said, with a chuckle.

Selectman Chairman Duane Goud said since some of the sites are still tentative, the town won't be able to issue a permit until these have been firmed up. Kitfield said his only reason for presenting the plan now is to familiarize the board with the proposal. Selectman Phil DiVece said he wants time to review town ordinances as they pertain to special music permits.

There were only a handful of residents who attended the meeting, but one of them, Budget Committee chairman Steve Mehrl, said he thought it should be held at the Topsham Fair Grounds or Thomas Point Beach, rather than "having people tromp all over our town."