Questions over three warrant articles the Edgecomb School Committee submitted are holding up finalizing the 2020 town ballot. Edgecomb voters are scheduled to hold their municipal election and town meeting on Saturday, Aug. 29. The election will be a referendum ballot, and time is running out to finalize a ballot prior to scheduling a public hearing. Selectmen briefly discussed the three questions July 13. Selectmen decided board member Mike Smith would contact Alternative Organizational Structure 98 Superintendent Dr. Keith Laser July 14 to work out any potential wording problems, and selectmen would finalize the warrant during a special July 16 board meeting.

In other action, selectmen appointed resident Kim Batchelder interim tax collector. Batchelder replaces Deb Boucher, who resigned after 11 years of service on June 15 amid COVID-19 concerns. Batchelder will serve until Aug. 29, the date of the municipal election. Batchelder told selectmen he will seek election as a write-in for the one year term.

Selectmen received updates from Maine Department of Transportation on two fall road improvement projects. Selectman Jack Sarmanian recently spoke to Senior Project Manager  Ernie Martin about the upcoming safety improvements to U.S. Routes 1 and 27 and Eddy Road. In 2017, municipal officials began discussions with MDOT on improving traffic safety for the Routes 1 and 27 intersection. MDOT proposed a Florida T, which constructs a “protected left” for  turning traffic from Route 27 to U.S. Route 1. In September, MDOT will begin work on the Florida-T and widening Eddy Road by removing a tree and ledge and placing a safety reinforcement in a section of the road.  “I spoke to Ernie Martin and he confirmed the project will begin this fall and continue into the spring,” Sarmanian said. “They are combining the projects into one, and he assured me the funding has all been approved.”

Selectmen also discussed what to do with two tax-acquired properties. Previously, selectmen sent letters to a U.S. Route 1 property’s abuttors gauging their interest for a vacant 30-acre parcel. Selectmen set a July 16 deadline for letters. Selectmen are seeking an approximate $3,000 minimum bid for the Race property’s back taxes and fees. On July 13, Selectman Ted Hugger reported one abuttor responded. Sarmanian reported he received an offer to buy five acres on the Lallis property. Selectmen declined to discuss the offer in open session. “I feel uncomfortable talking about this in an open forum. If he wants to submit a bid then we can talk about it then,” said Smith.

Selectmen nominated Lisa and Joe McSwain as the town’s Spirit of America representatives. Selectmen will recognize the couple in a ceremony during a board meeting in August. The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, July 27.