Edgecomb is seeking to replace its former municipal tennis court for meeting federal guidelines on a 1974 grant. As part of a Land Water Conservation Program grant, Edgecomb received funds for constructing a single tennis court at the former Eddy School’s site on Cross Point Road.

In 2004, Edgecomb sold the 5.9-acre property to the Elder Care Network of Lincoln County which provides affordable senior citizen housing now known locally as Edgecomb Green. In 2011, a state inspection resulted in determining Edgecomb had violated grant terms. In selling the property, Edgecomb failed to provide required public access and property maintenance.

In recent years, state Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has worked with town officials to seek an outdoor recreation alternate location. During the July 2 board meeting, Outdoor Recreation Supervisor Doug Beck explained Edgecomb’s options for grant compliance.

In 1974, Edgecomb received approximately $5,800 in federal funds for building a tennis court on 2.8 acres. Since Edgecomb relinquished ownership, the town must find another recreation spot on municipal property. But the state regulates where the alternate property can be. Once the state determines a violation, a municipality has three years to comply.The town must provide a parcel with “the same or a higher appraised property value,” according to Beck.

“These terms are required for protecting the best economic use of the land. Any replacement must meet ‘yellow book’ appraisal standards which determines whether the replacement property is equal or exceeds the previous location’s,” Beck said.

Selectmen are considering using town-owned land near the River Line Trail.  Selectmen believe the land would be an ideal replacement for outdoor recreation. The trail is near the town-owned property.  The parcel would provide better access to the trail which links  two local land preserves: Zak and Schmid. But Beck cautioned the publicly owned land can’t already be used for outdoor recreation. He advised a state audit would determine if a proposed parcel met grant requirements.

Selectmen are also considering using available property at the current Edgecomb Eddy School on Route 27 . After initial discussion with state officials, Selectman Jack Sarmanian believed locating an appropriate alternate location would be fairly simply. But he has since changed his mind.

“This is turning out to be more complicated and expensive than previously expected. Why do we have to jump through so many hoops if all we need is to replace some land for recreation,” he said.

Beck explained the town accepted the grant and its terms. The grant insists on finding a suitable recreation replacement and doesn’t allow a municipality to repay the grant.

In other action, selectmen discussed options for selling a 3.3-acre house lot on the Lallis property. In 2002, the 89-acre parcel became the town’s tax-acquired property. Earlier this year, the town surveyed the 3.3 acres. Selectmen received two professional opinions, a realtor’s and tax assessor’s, who valued the lot at $30,000. Selectmen are considering seeking sealed bids or using a realtor to market the property. Selectmen tabled discussion and will take action at a future meeting.

The board also made three municipal appointments. It unanimously reappointed Corning Townsend as harbor master and Bill Witzell as Emergency Management Agency director. Both appointments are for one year. Selectmen also reappointed Roy Potter as municipal health officer. But selectmen weren’t sure whether that term was for one or two years.

Selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, July 16 in the municipal meeting room.