After electing Jack Sarmanian chairman for another year, Edgecomb selectmen opened their May 20 meeting acknowledging issues residents raised at the annual town meeting May 18.

Sarmanian said the town meeting showed that “We have short, medium and long term needs we should look at.”        

Five warrant articles concerned the waterfront, specifically the harbor master’s expenses, boat excise taxes and a change to the mooring ordinance. Each prompted considerable discussion at the town meeting.

Selectman Mike Smith said the board needed to finalize issues about the waterfront. He proposed recruiting residents from along the Damariscotta River to serve on the waterfront committee in addition to those from the Sheepscot River area.

Smith said selectmen needed to continue to talk with residents about the town’s long term vision and about goals for 2019-20.

Sarmanian said the ASK grant from the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission for $2,000 would allow the design of brochures ($825) and help the town with its 2019-20 economic development goal for brochures and signage.

Town clerk and treasurer Claudia Coffin asked if a sign saying “Edgecomb” could be placed on the TIF property and, if so, would TIF funds pay for it.

Selectmen discussed creating an advisory committee for the fire department to help it decide what the department would look like in five or 10 years and to plan for equipment replacement. Voters at the town meeting approved the department’s requests for additional equipment totaling $137,292.

Fire Chief Roy Potter said the selectmen seemed to be proposing an oversight committee for the department, and that planning for capital improvements should “encompass the whole town” and not be limited to the fire department.  

Selectman Ted Hugger said the goal of the committee was not oversight, but to support the department with tools for long range planning. Sarmanian added that the town needed to look at the comprehensive plan and address the school, the fire department, roads and town government, not just the fire department. No further action was taken.

Janet Blevins was given the 2019 “Spirit of America” award for the town, acknowledging her work including service on the budget committee, the website committee and heading an internet survey effort.

Resident Joanne Minot asked selectmen about lowering the speed limit and posting a “Dead End” sign in the area of Creek Lane and Parsons Point Road. Selectmen will speak with the road commissioner about it.

Potter provided an update on the replacement of Engine #3. Cost to buy a used fire truck could range between $20,000 and $120,000, he told selectmen. He asked for some direction so that the department could act quickly if it found a suitable truck.

Smith suggested that the purchase be kept to around $30,000 and that the truck be able to provide eight years of service.

Sarmanian reported on his conversation with Maine Department of Transportation about work on Routes 1 and 27 and Eddy Road. Both projects were still planned, but have been delayed at least one year due to cost issues, he said.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, June 3 at the town office.