The town of Edgecomb is looking for ballot clerks for the June and November referendum elections. Town Clerk Claudia Coffin submitted 22 possible nominations after the town Republican and Democratic committees failed to provide a sufficient number to man the upcoming elections.

Coffin expressed concern that the town wouldn’t have enough ballot clerks, especially Republicans, to conduct the elections. Coffin is seeking an equal number of Republicans and Democrats to participate in the ballot counting. 

She assembled a list of past ballot clerks for the selectmen’s approval during the May 9 public board meeting. The selectmen inspected all the prospective ballot clerks’ nomination papers and agreed on 21. The selectmen considered entering into executive session for discussing the one person not receiving all three selectmen’s approval. Selectman Mike Smith objected to one nomination which prevented the person being approved as a ballot clerk.

Smith declined to name the person he opposed. Chubbuck wanted to hear why Smith objected and suggested the board enter into the executive session. The board decided against entering into executive session because the prospective nominee wasn’t notified.

When the Boothbay Register requested to see the documents reviewed by the selectmen during the meeting they declined.

“This is a personnel issue and not subject to public review,” Sarmanian said.

Coffin said she would withdraw the name and rip up the document if it was available for public review.

In other action, the board discussed the future inspection of the Davis Island sewer system. The town is negotiating with Ted Berry Company, Inc. of Livermore for the inspection. The firm specializes in pipeline cleaning, inspections, management and trenchless rehabilitation. Company President Matt Timberlake estimates the project would cost between $20,000 and $22,000. The selectmen anticipate the project will begin this fall.

Sarmanian also announced the town filed a contempt of court lawsuit against the Stephenson Marine Trust on April 25 in Wiscasset District Court. In 2013, The town entered into a consent agreement with Southport resident Timothy Stephenson who owns property on Gleason Road. The agreement requires Stephenson Trust to clean up the property.

On March 14, the selectmen directed the town attorney to seek a contempt ruling against the Stephenson Trust for failing to abide by the agreement. On May 9, Sarmanian reported the lawsuit requests the Stephenson Trust remove all wood processing materials, wood pallets, foreign objects, miscellaneous mineral extraction debris, and junk motor vehicles from the property.

Sarmanian also announced the town’s new website should be operational either this week or next week.

The selectmen will meet next at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 23 in the municipal building.