WATERBORO — Discussions by those representing the public works director and Dollar General appear to have led to a solution to issues surrounding the entry and exit to the proposed store at the intersection of Route 5 and Chadbourne Ridge Road.

And if the Maine Department of Transportation agrees to the proposed changes, Public Works Director Douglas Foglio said he’s prepared to issue a driveway permit.

That is something he’s declined to do since the Planning Board approved the project on Jan. 21.

If that happens, the store is one step closer to construction.

After a lengthy discussion, a public hearing last year and some controversy, the Planning Board approved construction of the Dollar General store on Jan. 21 ”“ but Foglio, who had voiced concerns about delivery trucks’ ability to maneuver Chadbourne Ridge Road and the store parking lot without snarling traffic, said he wouldn’t issue a driveway entrance permit. Waterboro’s Highway Driveway Entrance ordinance, adopted in 1979 and amended in 2003, says a building permit may not be issued until the municipality’s road commissioner issues a driveway entrance permit.

Foglio was the elected road commissioner until a voter-approved charter change, and was later named public works director. Fire Chief Matt Bors had previously expressed concern about the ability of firetrucks to maneuver in the space. Foglio on Tuesday said the proposed changes also address Bors’ concerns.

The proposed changes in the entry and exit plan for the store include an exit from the property onto Route 5 and widening pavement to allow trucks more space to enter Chadbourne Ridge Road.

Copies of letters from Northeast Civil Solutions, which is representing Dollar General, and from civil engineers Gorrill Palmer, a firm Foglio said he personally hired to look at the situation, outline the changes.

Dollar General, a Tennessee-based, so-called “small-box” discount retailer, examined several parcels in Waterboro and chose the intersection of Route 5 and Chadbourne Ridge to take advantage of the traffic flowing in and out of Lake Arrowhead, a large residential subdivision nearby, as well as commuter traffic on Route 5.

The store, a metal building, would have 40 parking spaces. It is one of several Dollar General stores planned in Maine; Dollar General opened in North Berwick in February. Currently, according to the company’s website, Dollar General has 11,500 stores in 40 states.

As well as approval by MDOT, the proposed changes would also be brought to the Planning Board.

Three members have recently resigned from the Planning Board ”“ including Frank Allen, Andrew Cote and longtime chairman Tim Neill. Selectmen recently appointed Katie Mann to the board, leaving two vacancies.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].