State Rep. Holly Stover joined Edgecomb selectmen March 25 in response to an invitation from the town’s officials.

Chairman Jack Sarmanian explained, the hope was to start a dialogue between Stover and the town. Stover thanked the board and responded to their questions. First up was Sarmanian who asked how the state budget was progressing.

Stover responded by saying it is currently making its way through the legislative process. “There are about 2,000 bills,” and various committees are reviewing them, she said. She suggested if there are any bills of particular interest to the town, she would let them know the status. She said the process is hectic but she sees it as very positive. “People are working together well and some bills have come out of committee with unanimous votes.”

Selectman Mike Smith asked about the drug issue in Maine. Stover reminded him she is very involved in this area because of her other efforts aside from serving as state representative. She mentioned that the state is receiving $2 million from the federal government to work on the opioid crisis.

Smith raised the question of education, specifically if teaching contracts would become statewide, rather than negotiated with the districts. With a teacher’s salary in Edgecomb at $43,000, it is the third highest in the state.

“It’s a unique situation,” Smith told Stover. "We now negotiate locally, but how would it play out with a statewide contract?”

Smith also explained that the town is concerned about the costs of special education. He hoped the state could contribute more than it currently does. He said Edgecomb’s costs for special education are approximately $600,000 within a school budget of $3 million.

Selectman Ted Hugger said as a business owner, he was concerned about “creeping taxes and fees.” He is alarmed about how some of the programs being discussed by the legislature will be paid for.

One resident raised the subject of internet availability for the town and a brief discussion followed about copper wires used for internet transmission. Stover said she would get more information for the residents.

Jim Donovan, president, and Scott Kennedy, director of development for LincolnHealth, had requested time to provide information about the organization. Donovan narrated a slide presentation to update the public on LincolnHealth and the merger process which ended Jan. 1.

Donovan described the organization, which he said is the state’s largest employer, spoke about technological advances and outpatient care, an aging base of workers and the difficulties managing costs given that 65 percent of its gross revenue comes from Medicare and MaineCare patients.

Smith inquired what the starting salary is for a nurse. After Donovan said it is almost $60,000 per year, those attending laughed when Smith asked “Can builders become nurses?”    

Curt Crosby who serves as Edgecomb’s representative on the board of directors of the Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District, answered questions about landfills and the transition to the new Fiberight facility in Hampden. Crosby said he thought the refuse district might be using the new Fiberight plant by mid-summer, but the latest would be this fall.

Selectmen congratulated Janet Blevins who will get the Spirit of America award for the town.

Jack Brennan, chairman of the town’s budget committee, said that on Monday, April 1, there will be a meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the town hall to discuss the next budget. All Edgecomb residents are encouraged to attend.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, April 8 in the town hall.