Edgecomb will deviate from its policy for disposing of town-acquired property. On July 26, selectmen voted 2-0 with one abstention to seek bids for a Gleason Road property. The policy gives abutters the first shot at bidding, but selectmen believed a board member may have a conflict concerning that property.

Selectman Mike Smith is an abutter which led to his fellow board members voting to suspend the policy for this case. Dawn Murray and Ted Hugger voted to change the policy in order to avoid a potential conflict of interest. Several years ago, Edgecomb created a policy which gave abutters first crack.

Smith objected to the change because he felt it unfairly penalized the property’s other abutter. He also believed the policy had worked the five previous times used. “I won’t vote to deviate from the policy. If someone wants to challenge that, then, so be it,” he said. “I will be upset if I’m the one who has to have the conversation with the (Kelleys) because the policy was changed because of me.”

Besides an apparent conflict of interest, Murray saw another problem with the policy. She believed it was unfair to other residents. She supports opening the bid policy to all residents. “They aren’t any less of a taxpayer so why shouldn’t a resident have the same opportunity,” she said.

Smith countered the Gleason Road property wasn’t a typical situation. The town received ownership after a 2017 Wiscasset District Court ruling in Edgecomb’s favor during a contempt hearing. The court ruled Stephenson Marine Trust violated a 2013 consent agreement with the town. The trust was obligated to pay the full amount of a $25,000 fine. Edgecomb applied the fine to the property’s tax bill and foreclosed after the lien matured.

“Nothing about this is a normal case. The property was a former junkyard and the abutters have suffered for years. And this is so unfair especially to the (Kelleys),” Smith said. Hugger reluctantly sided with Murray. Hugger supports the current policy, but felt the board needed to follow a different path. “This is a tricky situation. There is a potential for a conflict of interest which opens the door for lots of grief,” Hugger said.

Selectmen will set the minimum bid and deadline for the property at a future board meeting.

In other action, Murray reported on a meeting earlier this month with Lincoln County officials regarding American Rescue Plan stimulus funds. Lincoln County is scheduled to receive $6.7 million. Each town will receive a separate amount. Edgecomb’s share is $125,000.

Murray reported the meeting educated municipal leaders on guidelines for spending stimulus funds. “It has to be for pandemic-related things. We could use it for a bigger place to hold meetings so we could social distance. Audio and visual devices for conferences. It can also be used for dealing with the negative impact caused by the pandemic, infrastructure, and broadband. It can’t be used for creating a rainy day fund or pensions,” she said.

Selectmen set Saturday, Aug. 21 to hold a community forum on the town’s future. The first forum, in December 2019, was called “Edgecomb 250.” Selectmen wanted to hear from residents what the town’s next 250 years should look like. Two years ago, selectmen hoped to hold a series of forums leading up to the town’s 250th anniversary in 2024, but the coronavirus derailed their intentions. The new event will be held beginning with coffee at 8:30 a.m. at Edgecomb Eddy School, and be followed by a 90-minute discussion beginning at 9 a.m. Selectmen want to focus discussion on topics like broadband and hiring an administrative assistant.

“We don’t want this to become about the school. This should be about town issues,” Smith said. Selectmen aren’t sure whether the forum will be in the school cafeteria or gymnasium.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9.