Ice buildup and cratering continue to make passage along Edgecomb’s Cross Point Road difficult, but selectmen reported Jan. 17 that the situation was improving. Selectman Mike Smith reported he had spoken to Road Commissioner Scott Griffin earlier in the day who said the property owner is working toward removing the ice buildup. Ice craters form each winter along the road, typically in three areas, due to an odd water flow problem from a nearby hill, according to town officials.

Earlier in the month, the ice craters caused a traffic problem resulting in neighbors seeking town action in removing the buildup. During the Jan. 3 board meeting, selectmen determined town ordinances required the property owner to prevent storm runoff settling in the road.

“The property owner is addressing the problem and making a good faith effort at removing the ice,” Smith said. Cross Point Road ice buildup is a usual occurrence, according to Smith. He added the property owner bought the property last year and didn’t know about the storm water runoff problem.

“The problem will likely be corrected once better weather arrives,” Smith said.

In other business, budget committee member Jack Brennan reported the body will hold its second meeting on Jan. 18 and set the meeting schedule. The committee has four other members, Anita Sprague, Karen Potter and newcomers Janet Blevins and Joe McSwain. Brennan said the committee would also begin compiling a list of questions for municipal officials regarding the town budget. The committee will post the schedule on the town website.

The committee will review the $3,871,156 combined school and municipal budget approved by voters in May.

Blevins is also a website committee member. She updated selectmen on the committee’s recent work. The three-person committee wants to send email updates to subscribers alerting them to municipal meeting schedules and special events. However, the municipal website’s template isn’t compatible with the operation. Blevins indicated the committee is searching for a “work around” the problem.

The selectmen also heard praise for the new website’s functionality. Brennan commended the select board and website committee for creating a platform providing municipal information.

“The new website is an incredible improvement from its previous iterations,” he said.

The new website also assisted in finding a new member for the economic development committee. Resident Forest Carver recently logged onto the website and  spotted a budget and economic development committee meeting scheduled for the same night. He attended both meetings and ended up being recruited to the economic development committee, according to Smith.

Selectmen approved a $2,500 check for the Edgecomb Historical Society from the Hammond Fund. Smith said the fire department would also receive $1,300 from the Hammond Fund once Fire Chief Roy Potter submitted the required paperwork. The department requested funds for a new station flagpole.

The board appointed Corning Townsend to the ordinance review committee. Townsend is also the town’s harbor master and selectmen believe that experience would serve the ordinance review committee well.

The selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30 in the municipal building.