Edgecomb selectmen received only one bid Oct. 4 for the foreclosed Gleason Lane property. Abutters Mark and Andrea Kelley submitted a $25,555.51 bid which selectmen accepted, 2-0. Selectman Mike Smith, who is also a property abutter, abstained. 

Selectmen foreclosed on the property after the owner, Stephenson Marine Trust, failed to pay court costs from a 2013 lawsuit. In 2017, the court ruled, during a contempt of court hearing, Stephenson Marine Trust violated a 2013 consent agreement. The trust was obligated to pay the full amount of a $25,000 fine. Edgecomb applied the fine to the property’s tax bill, and foreclosed after the lien matured.

In other action, selectmen voted unanimously to rent the town hall for three months to Damariscotta United Congregational Church. Beginning Oct. 17, the church will hold an hour service in the town hall’s upstairs. Church services were previously held by the UCC in the Edgecomb town hall from 1985 to 2010. The church found a new home at Skidompha Library, but has been unable to use the building since the coronavirus. “We’ve held outdoor services recently, and have been looking for a new place. This is such a relief,” said UCC member Dick Nessen.

Selectmen will charge a $50 fee per Sunday church service. After three months, selectmen will review whether or not to continue renting the town hall’s upstairs to the group. 

Selectmen also decided against holding an in-person public forum on the town’s future. Dubbed “Edgecomb 251,” selectmen wanted to hold the second public forum in August at Edgecomb Eddy School. But COVID-19 Delta variant concerns resulted in postponing the forum. Instead, the forum will be held via Zoom from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 25. 

Selectmen plan on discussing whether the town should hire an administrative assistant, how to spend federal stimulus money, begin planning the town’s 250th anniversary in 2024, and the town hall’s long-term needs. 

Selectmen also want to explore the prospects of joining Wiscasset Water District. Selectmen authorized sending a letter requesting membership. The district members include Wiscasset, Woolwich and Davis Island on Edgecomb. “This will help us learn more about it and if we don’t want to join, it doesn’t cost us anything,” Selectman Ted Hugger said. 

Voters in Wiscasset, Woolwich and Edgecomb are required to approve district expansion.

Selectmen received an update about the two Maine Department of Transportation projects in Edgecomb. Hugger read an email update from Project Resident Karen Libby. “Route 27 project is on track with plans for adding new signs, road stripping and ditching. Electrical work will be installed, and Oct. 16 is the expected completion date.”

The email also reported Eddy Road blasting is done and the clean-up has started. The retaining wall replacement has started and the road should be open to one-lane traffic. 

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday. Oct. 18 in the town hall.