NORWAY — The Board of Selectmen gave the go-ahead Thursday night for the Norway Brewing Co. to serve liquor at the downtown establishment.

In a unanimous vote, the board approved a malt and vinous permit to Charles Magne Melhus, part owner of the company in the historic brick rail depot at 237 Main St. The town’s first microbrewery is expected to open in early April.

Melhus said pending approval of several other permits, he expects to open the establishment on April 6 and run from Wednesday through Sunday evening, opening at 4 p.m.

The business is expected to seat about 30 people and may eventually have entertainment. The building has had a succession of restaurants in the past several years.

In addition to beer and food, they hope to sell wine and “root beer” for those who prefer not to drink beer with their food. They are also constructing an outdoor beer garden.

In January 2015, Melhus and his wife, Erika, announced plans to launch the 10-barrel, or roughly 300-gallon, brewery with bar space. In addition to Melhus and his wife, his mother, Brenda Melhus, and father, Ola Melhus, each own a quarter share in the business. 

“I think it will be a great addition to Main Street,” Selectman Russ Newcomb said.

In other news, Selectman Mike Twitchell announced he would not seek a third term in June.

In 2010, Twitchell, then 51, made his first run for public office. Twitchell said Thursday night that he has enjoyed his work with the board but wanted to make his announcement early enough to allow others to think about running for his seat.

Jean Federico of the Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District and Tree Warden Tish Carr spoke to the board about the coming of the emerald ash borer, which is now on the Maine/New Hampshire border. Carr and Federico said they have received a grant to write a comprehensive plan on how the town will deal with the invasion of bugs that will kill every ash tree as it moves through.

Selectmen appointed Matt Gurney to the Norway Water District to succeed the late John Longley. The unexpired term will run until 2017.

Selectmen were told that the Police Department may acquire a 2014 Ford Explorer in New York through auction to replace the cruiser that was wrecked in an accident. The cost of the new vehicle is $15,900 and the insurance for the wrecked cruiser will cover it, Town Manager David Holt said.

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