Edgecomb selectmen are reviewing a proposal to shoot a “pig” through the Davis Island sewer line connected to the Wiscasset Sewer District. On Aug. 29, the board heard a proposal by Ted Berry Co. Inc. of Livermore representatives, to clean the pipeline by shooting a foam object called a “pig” through a process called “pigging” which cleans debris out of the sewer system.

The selectmen have negotiated with Ted Berry Co. since March to inspect and clean the 11-year-old system.  The firm specializes in pipeline cleaning, inspections, management and trenchless rehabilitation. Company President Matt Timberlake estimates the project would take three days and cost $21,750.

Timberlake reviewed the existing main sewer line last spring with Wiscasset Water District Superintendent Chris Cossette. During his inspection, Timberlake recommended cleaning the pipeline and  performing a hydrostatic test to see whether the system maintained pressure under stress.

“After the cleaning, we’d test the pipe’s integrity to hold pressure and see that there is no leaking,” Timberlake said. “Most pipelines are never cleaned. So the town is really taking a proactive approach to maintain the pipeline’s longevity for what hopefully should be the next 45 years.”

The selectmen tabled action on the proposed master service agreement with Ted Berry Co. Selectmen will review the proposal over the next two weeks and meet with Timberlake and Project Manager Charlie Roberts at the next board meeting.

In other action, town officials have updated their fire department insurance with the Maine Municipal Association. Selectman Ted Hugger and Fire Chief Roy Potter recently  met with MMA Member Service Supervisor Marcus Ballou at the fire station.

The review resulted in discovering the department’s line item for miscellaneous equipment — characterized as items like air pacs and other non-vehicle and building-related materials — were under-insured. In past years, the miscellaneous equipment was valued at $100,000. The review resulted in the valuation being closer to $200,000, according to Hugger.

“Nobody had really looked at whether we could replace all of that for $100,000 for many years. We sat down, itemized all the materials, and discovered it would actually cost almost double what it was insured for.”

The miscellaneous equipment’s increased valuation won’t result in higher premiums this year. That equipment will be insured for almost $200,000 going forward, but the $555 premium increase won’t occur until the next fiscal year.

The selectmen are also changing the way they handle requests from the fire chief. In recent meetings, Potter has updated the selectmen on department business during the board meeting’s public forum. But now, the selectmen want Potter to submit any topics for discussion prior to the meeting.

“We want the public to be more aware of what’s going on. By placing it on the agenda, the public will be alerted about those issues and give us some time to research the issue,” said Selectman Jack Sarmanian.

The selectmen ended the meeting with an executive session with Potter to discuss a personnel issue within the fire department. The selectmen took no action after the session. The selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12 in the municipal building.