On June 27, Edgecomb selectmen approved the 26th and final Fiscal Year 22 warrant payment of $202,514.66  with a couple of exceptions. Town Clerk Claudia Coffin reported paying the entire warrant may put the fire department over budget. She requested to check the department’s remaining fund balance prior to making the credit card payment, and possibly wait to pay it in the next fiscal year. 

 

Selectmen also directed Coffin to use her discretion in paying Schmid Preserve’s $5,000 forestry management bill. Selectmen planned on using the municipal legal fund for it. But town officials aren’t sure if there are enough funds available to cover the entire cost. Selectmen asked Coffin to use Schmid Preserve funds to pay the remaining balance. 

 

In other action, town officials have stopped seeking payment for 15 unpaid personal property taxes dating back to 2009. Coffin reported O’Donnell & Associates advised her the delinquent taxes, totaling a combined $3,087, would never be paid. “Dennis (O’Donnell) told me these businesses were no longer here. The taxes were never going to be collected, and ‘they should be removed from the books,’” she said. Selectmen unanimously approved the abatements. According to town tax records, the abatements are as follows: 2009-2010, Edgecomb Development, $587.07. 2010-2011, DFS-SPV-LP, $11.05; Graybar Financial Services, $13.26; SBM Properties, $1,128.40; SBM Properties, $195; SBM Properties, $576.42. 2011-12, Edgecomb Bayview Properties, $87.90; Graybar Financial Services, $14.08.

 

2012-2013, Edgecomb Bayview Properties, $83.70; SBM Proper A., Inc., $1.97. 2016-2017, MUZAK, LLC., $8.94. 2018-2019, Edgecomb Bayview Properties, LLC, $1.41. 2019-2020, Edgecomb Bayview Properties, $140.30. 2020-2021, Edgecomb Bayview Properties, $126.85. 2021-2022, Edgecomb Bayview Properties, $115.53.

 

Selectmen are continuing their efforts to notify residents who are also Wiscasset Sewer District customers about an impending rate increase. Smith reported rates could rise as “much as 47%.” Smith proposed contacting the housing associations near the Wiscasset border about the rate hike. “We need to touch base with these guys so they can share with other association members about the increase,” Smith said. “Not everyone is getting a 47% increase, but it will be a substantial one.” 

 

Board Chairman Dawn Murray reported the federal government notified her the second half and final American Rescue Plan Act stimulus payment is imminent. Earlier this year, Edbgcomb received a $66,721 payment. “Now we need to start thinking about how we are going to use ARPA funds,” she said. 

 

Smith also proposed inviting Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District representative Curt Crosby to their next meeting. Smith is concerned about the Municipal Review Committee’s proposed purchase of the Hampden biomass plant. BRRDD is one of 115 MRC members. Crosby is Edgecomb’s lone district board member. “I’d like to know a little more about this,” he said. “Especially, if start up costs result in an additional $20 million on top of what members already pay for disposal.” 

 

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, July 11 in the town hall.