Members of the Wiscasset Waterfront Committee said July 28, they wouldn’t want to turn away someone who wants to bring their business to town, but they also wouldn’t want the business to compete for sales with one already here. Adding to their concern, the existing vendor is Two Bridges Regional Jail’s industries program, which provides work and skills for inmates and donates holiday gifts to children in need.

“They’re trying to do a very good thing,” committee member David Gagnon said about the program.

The panel, an advisory committee to selectmen, was considering an application for Petersville Furniture and Home Decor in Gardiner to be a vendor at the Main Street Pier.

It and Two Bridges both sell wooden items, committee members observed. “It’s good to have another business in town, absolutely. But I wouldn’t want to have it conflict with the jail,” Gagnon said.

Chairman Susan Robson said avoiding having competing businesses has been “a rule of thumb” for the committee. It should be that way throughout town, member Frank Sprague maintained. He recalled Yellowfront Grocery closing after Shaw’s supermarket opened on the other side of Route 1.

Members decided to recommend selectmen place Petersville Furniture and Home Decor on a grassy section at the entrance to the Recreational Pier off Water Street. Town Planner Ben Averill wasn’t sure the board would go along; selectmen have allowed one business, QT Ice Cream Parlor, at the pier this year as a trial. “Adding multiple things would kind of overload the trial,” he said.

Members briefly discussed proposing the business go directly on the pier, in the area of the picnic tables. But Averill said people are supposed to be able to sit there and look out onto the water.

The business’ owners, Rusty and Tiffany Peters, were not at Thursday night’s meeting. Reached later by phone, Tiffany Peters said she didn’t realize it was open to the public. She wasn’t sure if they would take the proposed spot near the Recreational Pier; they would need to look into it, Peters said.

As for the committee’s point about avoiding competition at the Main Street Pier, Peters said she was familiar with what Two Bridges sells there and it is not similar to their goods. Her business sells jelly cabinets and other items with a country theme, she said.

Selectmen will consider the committee’s recommendation at an upcoming board meeting, Averill said.