The Edgecomb Economic Development Committee wants to find out what works and what doesn’t regarding the local business climate. The first-year committee will solicit business owners’ opinions with a letter and a 14-question survey.

The group is an offshoot of the Comprehensive Planning Review Committee, which reconvened last year after a long absence. The committee recently submitted its report concerning the seven-year-old comprehensive plan and now is turning its attention to economic development.

The six-person Economic Development Committee is made up of local businessman and selectman’s candidate Ted Hugger, website committee member Janet Blevins, planning board member David Boucher, resident Barbara Brennan, Schmid Preserve trustee Lisa McSwain and Selectman Mike Smith.

“We want to check the business community’s pulse. We hope to do this on an annual basis to see what patterns are forming and hope to stimulate ideas for more economic development,” said Hugger.

The committee hopes to tabulate the results by June and report back to the selectmen.

In other action, the selectmen directed Code Enforcement Officer Stan Waltz to continue investigating an ongoing property dispute between Old County Road neighbors. The selectmen received an email from landowner Dan Santello regarding concerns about an alleged land use violation.

According to selectmen, the allegation regards removing more than a 100 cubic feet of soil. Waltz had previously inspected the property and reported several stumps were removed, but saw no evidence of large amounts of soil being displaced. On April 25, Waltz reported he took pictures of one section, but didn’t have access to the entire property.

Waltz reported a gate prevented him from viewing the entire property. The selectmen expect to share Waltz’s findings with the planning board.

This is not the first time the town has investigated a dispute among the Old County Road landowners, according to the selectmen. Several years ago, the planning board heard a dispute between the neighbors, but the selectmen declined to elaborate on the past details.

The selectmen also elected not to identify the property owner who may allegedly be violating the land use ordinance.

“Not at this time,” said Selectman Jack Sarmanian. “We want more information before the person is identified. That’s why we brought the CEO in is to find more information. We will provide the person’s name and email at a more appropriate time.”

The Boothbay Register inquired whether the email was a public document and why the selectmen were withholding it.

“It is a public document, but I don’t think we’re withholding it,” Selectman Mike Smith said. “It’s more that we’re being cautious at this time. It’s not easy bringing a complaint against a neighbor and I think everyone is better served by waiting.”

The Boothbay Register asked if the matter required caution then why didn’t the selectmen discuss the matter in an executive session?

“We didn’t plan on it because we didn’t think it needed to be discussed in executive session,” Sarmanian said.

The selectmen stated the matter had legal ramifications as another reason for not identifying the neighbor or releasing the email.

The selectmen are also considering hiring Ted Berry Company, Inc. of Livermore for inspecting the Davis Island sewer system. The firm specializes in pipeline cleaning, inspections, management and trenchless rehabilitation. The sewer system was installed in 2005. Sarmanian believed now was the time to re-evaluate its condition.

“It’s been 11 years,” he said. “With all the recent talk about it I think it’s appropriate time to evaluate the hydraulic capacity and pipe condition while developing future operating practices.”

The selectmen will invite a Ted Berry Company representative to discuss the project at their next meeting. Sarmanian expects the project to last three months and cost approximately $20,000.

The selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 9 in the municipal building.