There is good news for Edgecomb residents waiting to register their motor vehicles. Interim Tax Collector Kim Batchelder and Deputy Tax Collector Rebecca Brewer have completed training with the Department of Motor Vehicles and will begin registering motor vehicles on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only.

During the July 27 selectmen’s meeting, Fire Chief Roy Potter expressed concerns about the inability of residents to register their vehicles. He reported a male resident had made several attempts at registering his truck without success. “The poor kid contacted the selectmen who directed him to the state who directed him back to the town and he was even told to go to Boothbay Harbor. He’s been driving around for four days illegally,  and I’m wondering when we are going to get an answer,” Potter said.

Selectmen responded the interim tax collector and deputy were ready to begin collecting excise tax and residents could begin scheduling appointments. Selectmen also hoped Batchelder would become the elected tax collector on Aug. 29 for a one-year term and appoint Brewer as the deputy to continue collecting excise taxes without having to train a new person. Batchelder is running as a write-in candidate.

In other news, selectmen approved the 58-article warrant for the Aug. 29 town meeting and tentatively scheduled Aug. 12 for a public hearing. But selectmen still have more details to work out. The public hearing will be held by Zoom video conference due to COVID-19 restrictions resulting from Gov. Janet Mills’ emergency order restricting public gatherings to fewer than 50. The board directed Selectman Ted Hugger to contact Edgecomb Eddy School Principal Ira Michaud to seek help hosting a large video conference event due to the board’s lack of experience with it. “None of us really have the technical ability to know when to mute and unmute such a large public crowd on video conference so hopefully the school can help us out,” Hugger said.

For those looking to vote absentee for the municipal and town meeting referedum election, ballots became available July 20. Town Clerk Claudia Coffin reported voters could request a ballot by mail or fax, but not by email. For those who want to vote in person, the polls would be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29 in the municipal building. All absentee ballots must be received prior to 4 p.m. on Election Day, she reported.

Selectmen received two responses from abuttors concerning a U.S. Route 1 tax-acquired property. Last month, selectmen set a July 16 deadline for abuttors to express interest in buying the Race property for back taxes and fees. Both interested abuttors attended the board meeting and received instructions for a sealed bid. Selectmen asked the abuttors Martha Potter and Steve Gagnon if they wanted to discuss the possibility of splitting the 30-plus acre vacant lot, but both parties wanted the entire parcel. Selectmen advised both parties the board could either accept or decline their bids.

So the board set an Aug. 10 deadline for sealed bids with a $4,400 minimum offer. Selectmen also received another inquiry on tax-acquired property. Local realtor Clayton Pottle discussed making an offer on behalf of a client for either a portion or the entire remaining Lallis property. The town recently sold five of the 82 acres and has been seeking to sell the rest. Selectmen instructed Pottle to send a written proposal for their review.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10 in the municipal building’s upstairs.