On Sept. 20, Edgecomb tried tackling a question being asked all over the country: Is our community affordable? About 60 residents attended the community forum at Edgecomb Eddy School. For the past couple years, residents frustrated by the budget process have asked town officials for more information prior to the votes.

So the selectmen, budget and school committees devised this community forum as an opportunity for asking those difficult questions and providing leaders an opportunity to answer them.

Residents were divided into three rotating groups covering defined topics: Is Edgecomb affordable, How to get involved and Changes for the Future. Each topic was guided by a town leader. Stein Eriksen, a budget committee member, led a 20-minute discussion on "Is Edgecomb Affordable."

Two residents stated concerns about whether a small town, like Edgecomb, could afford its elementary school and fire departments. Resident Maureen Heffernan and another participant described Edgecomb's spending for these two items as costing far above neighboring towns.

"The Portland Press Herald reported our school as having one of the most expensive per pupil costs in the state and our fire department is (reportedly) the most expensive in Lincoln County. Why are both being run on such an expensive scale?” she asked.

School committee member John Allen III responded that Edgecomb is considered "property rich" by the state. Edgecomb is classified as a "minimum receiver" of state subsidy dollars which is about 11% of the total school budget. "We are not getting anywhere near the 55% promised for school funding. There has been talk about changes, but nothing major," he said.

In regards to the high costs of an elementary school and municipal fire department, resident Fritz Freudenberger reminded the audience that all expenses were approved by voters at the town meeting.

Other residents discussed how Edgecomb had a high rate of senior citizens on fixed incomes and the town had few businesses offsetting the property tax burden. Former selectman Mike Smith responded to a question about attracting more business to Routes 27 and One.

"Crispy Creme looked at an Edgecomb location, but decided the demographics didn't work. Viking Lumber couldn't find a location which was suitable," Smith said.

As far as possible economic development in Edgecomb, Smith said the state had limited the "curb cuts" on Route One which would limit expansion. One resident recommended an independent study to see if Edgecomb Eddy School was feasible in the long run.

The second discussion was hosted by school board members Heather Sinclair, Irene Marchenay and Selectman Cara Gaffney. Residents considered increasing the selectboard's size from three to five members. A consensus was reached that a bigger board was a good idea. "This is something I've proposed for years," resident David Nutt said. "If you have two selectmen in lock step that's a problem. More members would change that and create a more balanced approach."

But later in the day, Selectman Forrest Carver disagreed. He thought the three-person board was fine. "Someone mentioned earlier about expanding the selectboard to five members. That is a disastrous idea. We are having enough problems now finding a third person," he said.

The third session, Changes for the Future, was led by Carver and Administrative Assistant Jessica Mague. Residents proposed a tax break for encouraging residents to either serve on a board or volunteer for a community project. Carver believed the proposal had merit, but needed more research.

In each session, a list of questions was compiled for a future response from selectmen.