On March 21, Edgecomb selectmen provided a few highlights from the proposed $4,901,553 Fiscal Year 23 combined municipal-school budget which reflects a 1.98% decrease. The school budget is $3,049,380, a 5.79% drop. The municipal budget is $1,852,173, a 5% drop.  Board Chairman Dawn Murray credited department heads and budget committee members with submitting an affordable budget. “They made a huge effort in containing costs and creating a budget with as minimal as possible load on our citizens who are already struggling with heating, gas, and food prices during this inflationary timeframe,” she said.

One price increase Edgecomb doesn’t have to contend with this year is ambulance service. Edgecomb is in the third of a five-year contract with Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service. Murray reported the town’s ambulance fee will remain at $17,000. 

In public safety, the fire department budget is up 19.01%. Selectmen and the budget committee recommend a $115,748 fire budget. Town officials are also proposing placing $10,000 into a fire truck reserve account. In general government, the proposed $176,371 budget is up 5.47%. Highways and bridges’ proposed spending is $806,170 or a  2.4% rise. For health and sanitation, the town’s contribution to Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District is $154,184, a 5.4% increase. The county tax is up 9% to $363,389. 

Selectmen will hold a public hearing on the town meeting warrant at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 2. The hearing will be in-person and available on Zoom conference. 

In other action, six incumbents returned their municipal nomination papers by the March 21 deadline. All six will be unopposed on the ballot. Selectman Ted Hugger is seeking another term, as are planning board members Barry Hathorne and John Dunlap. Road Commissioner Scott Griffin and Tax Collector Rebecca Brewer returned their papers. So did Town Clerk and Treasurer Claudia Coffin. But there is no candidate for school committee. Incumbent Art Garey decided not to seek re-election. He was appointed to fill Murray’s unexpired three-year term last year after her election as selectman. 

Coffin warned if the school committee election ended in a tie between two or more write-ins then a new election would be called. “In case of a tie, one of the write-ins can withdraw, if they don’t then a new election is held,” she said. “If no one emerges as the elected official, the school committee will appoint an interim member. If the committee doesn’t nominate someone, then another election later this summer would be held.”

Murray also recapped the March 12 “Meet and Greet” held at the town  hall. This was the second such meeting where longtime residents and new arrivals get to know one another and the town over coffee. Murray reported the event created some ideas for making “Edgecomb even more awesome.” One suggestion was making the town hall available for community events. One resident offered to teach a yoga class. Another offered to lead a free body mechanics class. One suggestion was for a family movie night. Selectmen are considering a third “Meet and Greet” in May. 

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, April 4 in the town hall.