By week’s end, Edgecomb residents should have received their 2017-18 property tax bills. Selectmen announced during the July 17 board meeting that all the tax notices were mailed last week.

Selectmen set the tax rate on July 6. The mil rate increased from 16.55 to 16.775 or by 1.36 percent. Selectman Ted Hugger said the increase results in an added $22 for a $100,000 home.

In other action, the board proceeded on disposing of one of four tax-acquired properties foreclosed on earlier this year. The selectmen are providing three abutting landowners first crack at acquiring a vacant parcel on Cross Point Road. The board voted unanimously to send letters to abutters George Chase, Tom Chase and Stephen Rubicam. The property is being sold for back taxes which accumulated to $6,678.50. If more than one party is interested, the board will proceed to a sealed bid.

If the abutters aren’t interested, selectmen will put the property out to bid.

“We’re not interested in becoming landlords. We just want to dispose of the property in the fairest, quickest way to the Edgecomb taxpayers,” said Chairman Jack Sarmanian.

Selectmen are still considering options for disposing of the other three properties. One is a vacant parcel and the other two are rental properties. In May, town meeting voters authorized selectmen to dispose of tax-acquired property.

Selectmen also agreed to delay issuing a supplemental tax bill. The board voted unanimously to delay sending a special assessment to Stephenson Marine Trust until Sept. 1. The town won a contempt of court case against the trust in July 2016. A Wiscasset District Court judge ruled the trust must also pay the town’s legal cost of $13,591.40. The board agreed to delay sending a supplemental bill so it could coincide with the trust’s annual tax bill which is approximately $680, according to town officials. Town Clerk Claudia Coffin advised selectmen to delay sending a supplemental bill so both are due on the same day without penalty.

Surveyor Karl Olson of Wiscasset reported his surveying of the Lallis property on McKay Road would be done in 45 days. Selectmen contracted with Karl Olson & Associates for $1,500 to survey the property’s  northeastern corner to find a suitable portion for subdividing and selling.

Road Commissioner Scott Griffin reported two paving projects are on track this summer. The town has finished prep work on Middle Road and paving is expected to begin in August. Paving on Shore Road begins after Middle Road is finished, according to Griffin.

Planning Board Chairman Jack French and Ordinance Review Committee Chairman Barry Hathorne reported their work on two proposed ordinances wouldn’t be ready for a November vote. French and Hathorne believed proposed ordinances on retail marijuana and floating structures wouldn’t be ready for a vote until the May town meeting. The town enacted a six-month moratorium on floating structures in March. Selectmen could extend the moratorium another six months to coincide with the town meeting.

The state’s moratorium on selling and growing retail marijuana expires in February 2018. French said residents would follow state guidelines until possible more restrictive town standards are approved at the May town meeting.

Selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, July 31 in the municipal room.