In 2017, Edgecomb created the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Decorating Contest to interject more holiday sprit within the community. For the past seven years, students, civic groups and Edgecomb Fire Department have decorated donated pine trees with homemade ornaments at the town hall. But changes may be looming for the contest.

On Oct. 31, selectmen scheduled Friday, Dec. 8 as the contest date and Selectman Mike Smith reported Center for Teaching and Learning may join Edgecomb Eddy students as participants. Another change may come in the form of event organizers. Several past organizers are busy planning next year’s 250th anniversary which leaves the town searching for a new “cast of characters” to plan next month’s event. In past years, the post-decorating event included caroling, hot chocolate, cookies  and awards. In recent years, the ceremony was either reduced or eliminated mostly due to complications created by COVID-19. Selectmen support resurrecting an evening program, but don’t know who would organize it. “This is something the kids really enjoy, and look forward to,” Smith said. “I’m sure we can put together a committee to organize this.”

In other action, Fire Chief Roy Potter updated selectmen on his discussions with Central Maine Cost Recovery. Edgecomb engaged the company several years ago to seek insurance reimbursement payments when the fire department responded  to an accident involving a non-resident. Under the agreement, CMCR contacts the insurance company and keeps 20% of  the collected amount. Potter told selectmen Cost Recovery is about $6,000 behind and wants to renegotiate contract terms. “They now want to charge a nominal fee regardless if they collect anything,” Potter said. “I told them we could renegotiate once the past amount was received.”

Selectmen agreed with Potter and told him to stay in communication with the company.

On Nov. 8,  town officials and State Rep. Holly Stover will host a state park official during an inspection of Fort Edgecomb. “We want to promote the fort as part of our 250th anniversary,” Smith said. “We will take a walk around in hopes the state will pay a little more attention to it.”

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14 in the conference room.