Edgecomb selectmen want residents to know a recent mailing wasn't sponsored by the town. On Feb. 13, several residents expressed dissatisfaction about a recent mailing asking for their input on controlling the rise in property taxes. The mailing was sent by a group of seasonal and year-round residents who complained about their property taxes last fall.

Selectmen told residents the mailing didn't necessarily represent their view and the board would draft  their own response to clarify any "misrepresentations." 

Last fall, selectmen encouraged a group of seasonal and year-round residents to investigate possible savings stemming from large increases in municipal and educational spending. In January, the group brought their findings to selectmen and proposed sending the informational flier. But the board declined to endorse or pay for the mailing. Instead, selectmen clarified the group's role as an independent organization.

In other action, selectmen decided against seeking a "budget mandate' from municipal departments and school committee this year. Selectmen considered imposing budget restrictions this year to curb property tax increases. Selectmen considered making a budget statement hoping to keep budgets "as low as possible," but decided against it.

Selectmen believed budget season was too far along to impose any mandates at this time. "The select board has spent several months having this discussion, and we haven't been able to agree unanimously," he said. Although, we focused on two line items (school and fire department) as potential mandates, we felt it was too late to put a mandate out to those departments."

Selectmen entered into a contract with the Maine Department of Transportation to establish a traffic light at the intersection of Route 1 and Cochran Road. The state will install a light monitoring traffic flow and Edgecomb will pay for the estimated $15 per month electric bill.

Edgecomb will hold separate town meeting votes on their municipal and educational budgets. A referendum will decide municipal spending and other town issues. Voting begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m.  from 1 p.m, to 7 p.m

The school will host a public hearing beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 17. Later, the referendum begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. at the town hall.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m,. on Tuesday, March 4, in the conference room.