The Edgecomb Board of Selectmen proposed on April 6 using the Woodend account for municipal surplus. During a discussion about a municipal audit, Fred Brewer, the town’s auditor, informed the selectmen the surplus account had a negative balance.

Edgecomb began the past fiscal year with about $50,000 in surplus. But by year’s end, the fund was exhausted. The municipal budget experienced a large overrun in the snow and ice removal account and an unexpected special town meeting contributed to the surplus’ demise.

The audit, however, did reveal some good news. The selectmen learned the town’s four decade old Woodend account had grown significantly.

The fund began the past fiscal year with $168,000. It accrued $15,000 in interest. The town also contributed $5,000 in boat registration fees. The Woodend account now has over $188,000.

Town Clerk and Treasurer Claudia Coffin recommended a warrant article to abandon the Woodend account and convert it into town surplus.

“I hope nobody behind me has a bow and arrow, but I think we should convert the fund into surplus,” Coffin said. “I don’t think the money should be spent. It just needs to be where it can help the town.”

The Woodend account was established in the 1970s. A Davis Island property was forfeited to the federal government following the former owner’s (Woodend) drug conviction. The federal government gave the money to the town. Edgecomb sold the property used the proceeds to establish a fund for purchasing public access around the Sheepscot and Damariscotta rivers.

The town has never found affordable property around the rivers to purchase. The selectmen also doubt it could afford to maintain a public access.

“Even if the land was given to us, based on our budget, I don’t know where we’d find the money to maintain it,” said Selectman Jessica Chubbuck.

Selectman Jack Sarmanian agreed the Woodend account could better serve the town as a surplus account.

“Now is the time to act,” he said. “We need to get this ready for the town warrant.”

The selectmen are considering placing the proposal on the May town meeting warrant.

The selectmen also want to sell two municipal land parcels. The selectmen are proposing another warrant article to survey 4.5 acre plot located on the Schmid Land Preserve. The selectmen want to divide the parcel and sell it. Selectman Stuart Smith estimates the sale would net the town $50,000 to $60,000.

In other action, Code Enforcement Officer and Licensed Plumbing Inspector Marian Anderson resigned from both positions.

Anderson, who is also Wiscasset’s town manager, presented Edgecomb with two recommendations on finding her successor. She proposed entering into an arrangement with Wiscasset to share its CEO/LPI Stan Waltz or remaining independent of Wiscasset by contracting his services as the town did with her.

“You’d never be without a CEO or LPI,” Anderson said. “Both towns are close together so I think it will be fine regardless what you decide. I think this type of collaboration is a way to keep taxes down for both towns.”

Anderson proposed sharing Wiscasset’s CEO and LPI for an average of four hours per week.

The selectmen will discuss the proposal at the next board meeting. The selectmen will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 20 in the municipal building.