Dear Editor:

Edgecomb selectmen are debating the need for the Woodend public water access fund, which was started over 40 years ago to have funds available to buy reasonable public access to the shores of the two rivers and possibly the Lilly pond located in Edgecomb. Everyone should have access to the water recreation areas in Edgecomb.

Recently, because of a bad winter and a tax assessment error a few years ago, there is no surplus in Edgecomb’s coffers, and the discussion has focused on the use of the Woodend Fund as a reserve.

In my opinion this will kill any possibility of ever getting water access to anyone not owning private access in Edgecomb. I think our forefathers, who started this fund in the 1970s, realized if funds were not set aside, public access might never happen.

My dream is the town buying and improving a small, yet to be identified, lot on the river, adding a few parking spaces, a picnic table, a trash can, and seasonal handy-cap portable toilet with running water. Families can pack a lunch, come and hang out, kids can investigate the creatures living under seaweed at low tide, fish, kayak, or just enjoy pristine views.

If security is a concern, electronic monitoring of the site could resolve that quite easily. The initial purchase cost and improvements would be paid from the Woodend Fund.

Annual maintenance including, mowing, trash pickup, toilet rental could be paid from another fund controlled by the selectmen, the Maro F. Hammond Memorial Trust, given to the Town for beautification projects on the town of Edgecomb. This dream requires no additional tax funding now or in the future. The model could be repeated on the other river and the Lilly pond as parcels become available.

Please ask our selectmen leave the water access money alone. Voters vote to add boat excise tax to this account every year. Doesn’t that say the townspeople do want public access? Because the selectmen hear most complaints from a few about high taxes, they feel Edgecomb does not want public access. I think they are wrong; the people wanting access need to speak up louder!

Tom Boudin

Edgecomb