In a split vote Tuesday night, Wiscasset selectmen decided to tell the state they no longer support the downtown project. They plan to send Maine Department of Transportation a letter reversing the board’s show of support that followed a June 2016 win at the polls for MDOT’s Option 2.

Newly elected members Bob Blagden and Katharine Martin-Savage joined Ben Rines Jr. in the majority Tuesday. Selectman Jeff Slack and Chairman Judy Colby dissented. Both support the project. The decision came a week after voters rejected changes a warrant article said MDOT made to the project. MDOT argues the article, which resulted from a petition, was flawed.

Rines said he supported voters’ preference in 2016, even though he had favored Option 3, to have MDOT do nothing. Now, he is supporting voters again, he said. “The town reversed itself.”

Lonnie Kennedy-Patterson, member of the public advisory committee on the project, told the board, given the margin June 13, he was appalled at the three members’ votes reversing the board’s 2016 position. The yes votes to reject the changes prevailed, 400-323. “The town spoke a year ago, and we went forward,” he said.

Former selectman David Cherry will be staying on the committee as a resident, Colby said.

The board took no action on the Wiscasset Historic Preservation Commission’s recent request to tell MDOT it needs a certificate of appropriateness. Commission Chairman John Reinhardt on Tuesday told selectmen, the state, like anyone else, must follow the town’s historic preservation ordinance. Citing MDOT’s use of eminent domain in taking Haggett Garage, he said, “I personally don’t like getting pushed around by the state.”

But Kennedy-Patterson said the commission’s proposal of a letter was putting the cart before the horse. MDOT hasn’t said it won’t seek a certificate, he said. “DOT has been up front and honest with everybody in the town ... let them decide and then send your letter after that.”

Also Tuesday, business owners and others, including Colby, voiced concern about the planning budget’s defeat at the polls. “I feel the town is making a very big mistake,” Colby said. She joined other speakers in citing the town planner job’s importance to economic development.

One speaker after another came to the lectern in support of the job and the man in it, Ben Averill. “He’s totally dedicated to the town and everything that it offers,” BIRCH co-owner Brad Sevaldson said. “He’s a great young man with lots of knowledge and lots of potential.”

Said Colby, “When you’ve got someone who brought $1 million into this town and now he’s not here anymore, I’m heartbroken over it. I’ll be honest.”

Peregrine Turbine Technologies Chief Executive Officer David Stapp said he doesn’t know who would answer his questions now and facilitate his plans to expand. Resident Kim Andersson wondered if grants Averill helped get could be tapped to help fund the job. “We cannot lower taxes without economic development,” she said.

Real estate agent and former Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman Sherri Dunbar, who is building a home in town, said going before the planning board can be a daunting process for a business. Without a planner, she didn’t know how Wiscasset could remain a certified busy-friendly town, she said. Planning board member and Ordinance Review Committee Chairman Karl Olson, a land surveyor with clients who go before the planning board, said the planner is the first point of contact for applicants. Olson said he didn’t really want to go back to not having one.

The board took no action; after the meeting, Colby said she will be talking with Town Manager Marian Anderson. The board may take it up at an upcoming meeting, Colby said.

Anderson and the board praised transfer station employee Bob Wolfe’s response when the station received 40 to 50 pounds of mercury in glass jars. Wolfe, whose supervisor was on vacation, made all the correct decisions, Anderson said.

Ellin Jasmin’s recent certification as a tax collector/treasurer shows money the town puts into staff training is well spent, Anderson said.

Wiscasset Ambulance Service Director Toby Martin pulled from the agenda a proposed pay hike for EMS personnel, Colby said.

“It’s a little too late,” given voters have just decided the budget, Rines said. Colby said she agreed. She talked with Anderson about it and Martin graciously removed the item, Colby said.

Selectmen set their next meetings for 6 p.m. June 27 and July 18.