Spirit of America Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 1990 honoring volunteerism. Each year, Maine's towns and cities nominate a person or group who demonstrated outstanding public service to the community. In Edgecomb, the selectboard nominated a whole family July 7.

 

The Potter family is this year's recipient. "Your family's service to the fire department is much appreciated. Your service embodies the spirit of volunterism and the number of hours volunteered is straight up amazing,"  said Selectman Forrest Carver. "You all possess great characteristics of pride, unity and all have a great work ethic."

 

In other action, selectmen are seeking more state grants. Earlier this year, the town received a state community grant for outfitting the school with LED (light emitting diodes). Selectmen are working with Laura Graziano, a community resilience planner with Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission, to apply for more grants. 

 

Graziano told selectmen about an upcoming funding opportunity called a "Shore and Harbor Planning Grant/Coastal Community Grant." The Maine Office of Community Affairs' Maine Coastal Program and Municipal Planning Assistance Program are seeking applicants from coastal communities, like Edgecomb, Graziano said. The maximum award is $50,000, and the application deadline is Aug. 31. 

 

Selectmen want to update their comprehensive plan which means they need to assemble a committee. Selectmen discussed possible members and wanted to open the process to as many residents as possible. The board will seek members by mentioning it in the town's monthly newsletter. 

 

Selectman George Chase updated the board about a parcel of town-owned land behind the municipal parking lot. He said the lot was 146-feet-by-267-feet which was slightly under an acre. According to Chase, the measurements make the property "unbuildable" due to the two-acre minimum required by municipal ordinances. 

 

Chase said once the property is cleaned up, it would be suitable for an expanded parking lot, a park, or place for the historical society's shed. Chase will seek quotes on removing the vegetation from the property and report back to the full board. 

 

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 21 in the conference room.