In 2022, a fatal car accident at the U.S. Route 1 intersection with Cross and Cochran roads led to a Maine Department of Transportation traffic study for improved safety. The department's solution is a proposed smart traffic light which blinks when traffic is light and a solid red during denser times.

On Jan. 21, Project Manager Mackenzie Kersbergen updated Edgeccomb residents about a safety plan which has a planned completion date by the end of the year. Kersbergen estimated the project's cost at around $300,000. She explained a "flashing yellow light" on Route 1 alongside two red lights on the Cochran and Cross roads would make the intersection safer. "The smart technology would track traffic and create safer left turns on to Route 1 from the two side roads," she said. 

Under the proposed agreement, Edgecomb would be responsible for about $2,000 worth of maintenance costs per year. Selectman George Chase thought the proposal made sense. "I think the town will gain from this. It will at least slow traffic down," he said.  Kersbergen requested Edgecomb officials respond about accepting the agreement by Presidents' Day (Feb. 17).

In other action, Selectman Lyn Norgang and Chase tabled discussion on a possible "budget mandate" to municipal department heads for the Fiscal Year 2025-26. Selectmen wanted to wait for Chairman Michael Maxim to return prior to making the decision. The board scheduled a Jan. 27 workshop to discuss the "budget mandate" and other municipal issues.

Newly elected County Commissioner Evan Goodkowsky of Wiscasset presented selectmen with a New England flag. The banner has a red background with a pine tree featured in the upper left corner on a white square. Goodkowsky told selectmen the banner serves as a Maine county flag. He also updated them on Consolidated Communications' (Fidium) broadband fiber expansion project. 

Last year, Edgecomb and eight other Lincoln County towns and Woolwich joined Consolidated Communications (Fidium) in receiving a $6 million Maine Connectivity Authority grant to build out a broadband fiber network. The project would quarantee 100% access to local towns. Goodkowsky reported the expansion has begun in Wiscasset and would soon begin in Edgecomb. 

The next selectmen's meeting is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4 in the conference room.