Edgecomb selectmen are hoping a letter posted on the municipal website and published in local newspapers will create “awareness” of the proposed 2020-21 school budget. Both the school and municipal budgets appear on Aug. 29’s referendum town meeting warrant. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, selectmen opted to first postpone the annual May town meeting, and later, replace it with a referendum vote.

In a letter to residents. selectmen urged “no” votes on five of the 19 school committee articles. On Aug. 24, Selectman Jack Sarmanian recapped an Aug. 19 virtual public hearing where the board further explained its reasons for opposing Articles 48, 60, 61, 65 and 66.

“Selectmen and school committee are not in agreement on five articles. We wrote the letter to create an awareness and generate voter participation because we desperately need a large turnout,” he said.

Since the town meeting is by referendum, there is no opportunity to vote for a lesser amount on any defeated warrant article. If any of the warrant articles are defeated, school officials have the option of using the previous school year’s budget or seeking a special town meeting. Selectman Ted Hugger spoke to Alternative Organizational Structure 98 Superintendent Dr. Keith Laser following the public hearing about scheduling a possible special town meeting. 

“We are in agreement. It would be take place fairly quickly and not take very long,” Hugger said.

The special town meeting would also be a public vote. Selectmen and school officials would hold a meeting with as many as 50 voters, inside a venue, and others located outside. 

In other action, selectmen reported about an executive session on Aug. 10 with local realtor Clayton Pottle regarding the Lallis property. Selectmen reported the property’s trail, right of way, land easements and a few other details needed “to be defined” before negotiations continued. Selectman Mike Smith also reported resident Dana Lehouiller spoke to school officials who agreed to provide additional funding for his daughter’s attendance at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics in Limestone. Last meeting, Lehouiller requested selectmen provide public funds to augment his daughter’s boarding costs. 

Glidden Point Oyster Farms received a liquor license renewal. General Manager Jonathan Turcotte reported the farms’ first year serving beer and wine was successful. “We rolled it out last year, and didn’t know what to expect. This year, we  hope to double or triple our sales,” Turcotte said.

Town Clerk Claudia Coffin reported the town needs more voting booths to comply with state regulations for the November election. She requested buying two more booths for $326. Selectmen approved up to $500 to cover the purchase and shipping. 

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 in the municipal building’s upstairs.