Oct. 21 will be a banner day for six Edgecomb veterans. Selectman Mike Smith will place six veterans’ banners along U.S. Route One near Edgecomb Boatworks honoring five U.S. Army vets and one member of the U.S. Army Air Corps. The banners are part of American Legion Post 36’s project to honor local veterans by hanging 30-inch by 60-inch banners in prominent locations throughout the Boothbay region.

This is a three-year pilot program sponsored by the local American Legion. The official tribute begins next May and ends shortly after Veterans Day. This fall, an unexpected number of early orders resulted in Post 36 altering its plans. Organizers decided to place their early posters for a three-week trial period this fall.

“There is an expected Nor'easter Saturday, so I will put them up on Sunday,” Smith told his fellow selectmen Oct. 17 during the board meeting. “We want to be careful where we place them. We don’t want people gawking at them when they’re supposed to be watching the road. There are too many spots where motorists really need to pay attention to the road. So, you (selectmen) have until Sunday to suggest a better location.”

The six Edgecomb veterans honored are Cpl. Bernard R. Caton, Sgt. Richard Gray, Capt. Joel Morley, Pfc. Glenwood Rines, Lt. Col. Joshua Stevens, U.S. Army; and Sgt. Leroy Yereance, U.S. Army Air Corps. In total, the four peninsula towns will display 62 veterans’ banners.

In other action, the Federal Emergency Management Agency made contact with town officials regarding their disaster relief claim from torrential rain on April 30 and May 1. In Lincoln County, four towns reported heavy damage from a storm which dumped as much as 10 inches of rain in a 10-hour span. Edgecomb qualified for assistance after Lincoln County reported over $156,452 and state officials reported over $2 million in damages. 

Edgecomb reported about $97,000 in damages, mostly to the Spring Hill Farm, Cross Point and Mt. Hunger roads. Smith received notification Oct. 4 that FEMA wanted to begin a damage inventory regarding the town’s claim. Smith read an email response from Emergency Management Specialist Herbert “Ken” Deaton III. “The clock has started on defining the storm damage in order to provide reimbursement to the town,” wrote Deaton. Edgecomb has 60 days to complete its storm damage inventory report. Smith said Road Commissioner Scott Griffin would be responsible for gathering most of the required FEMA paperwork.

Midcoast Council of Governments representative Charlotte Nutt contacted selectmen about completing an economic development survey of surrounding towns evaluating their infrastructure needs. Smith reported the council wanted to develop a “more cohesive” approach to regional economic development in regard to seeking state and federal grants.

Smith also sought a website committee update, but Co-Chairman Janet Blevins did not have much to report. She did have promising information regarding better internet access. Blevins reported Fidium is offering free installation in town with no contract or commitment. “They’re thinking once people see how good it is, then everybody will want it,” she said. Smith has checked out the deal on Fidium’s website. “You can sign up online for equipment installation on your property with no commitment to purchase their service,” he said. 

Selectman Michael Maxim reported he has heard good things about Fidium’s service from friends in southern Maine. “The service is very good and some switched to Fidium Energy and saved about 30%,” he said. The board also approved a sewer rate increase. For customers using up to 300 cubic square feet, the new price is $41.48 and for every additional 100 cubic square feet is $15.99. This is the third rate increase in the past year. Wiscasset Sewer District officials this is a 3% increase.

After adjourning, selectmen completed a Midcoast Council of Governments economic development survey. Selectmen meet next at 4 p.m. Oct. 19 for a workshop. On Oct. 24, selectmen meet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to discuss American Rescue Plan Act spending. Their next selectmen’s meeting is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31.