A 20-year resident thanked Edgecomb selectmen Sept. 8 for their support during the Aug. 29 school budget vote. Selectmen recommended a “no” vote on four school warrant articles and residents responded by rejecting all four. “I’m thrilled how you stood up to a very large budget,” Kelley Race said. “School spending is out of control and I’ve spoken to other taxpayers who agree.”

Race requested selectmen place any future school committee request for a special town meeting on the November ballot. She believed parents and other school budget supporters would “pressure” residents to approve a new proposal if the vote was held in open forum.

During the board meeting, selectmen indicated a special town meeting would occur in a public forum. They also believed voting on Nov. 3 would be difficult  due to time constraints and logistical problems caused by the federal election. But Race and others who prefer a secret or written ballot may still get their wish.  Selectmen indicated a more private voting option existed than a show of hands. Selectmen confirmed residents could request a written ballot on any warrant article during a public town meeting.

The selectmen and school committee both held meetings at 6 p.m. Sept. 8. The selectmen held theirs at the town hall in public. The school committee held a virtual meeting on Webex. On Sept. 9, Alternative Organizational Structure 98 Superintendent Dr. Keith Laser reported the school committee approved seeking a special town meeting. School officials are preparing a 19-article warrant requesting the same amount of spending voters rejected. On Aug. 29, residents approved 15 of 19 school warrant articles. “The overall budget ($3,312,286) has to stay the same because we need to educate our kids,” Laser said. “There is no fluff in this budget and this is what we need to do.”

The committee opted to remove a warrant article requesting a non-lapsing $50,000 emergency fund for COVID-19 related expenses and request a lower amount for a capital improvement plan. The committee will propose $230,000 to remediate a recently discovered mold problem in Edgecomb Eddy School. The mold remediation article replaces a proposal voters rejected, a 250,000 non-lapsing capital improvement plan to fix the school roof.

Selectmen will now decide when, where and in what format the special town meeting will be held. The warrant will likely include two non-school budget-related articles. Selectmen agreed to place an article requesting to move the tax due date from Oct. 31 to Nov. 30, 2020. Another article is due to a clerical error on the Aug. 29 town warrant. In the referendum town meeting, an article mistakenly requested $97,000 for paving and repairing Cross Point Road, instead of requesting it for Mill Road. 

Another issue won't be as easy to decide. Gov. Janet Mills’ Emergency Health Declaration limits inside public gatherings to no more than 49 people and outdoor ones to 100 maximum. During the recent town referendum, 170  residents voted. Selectmen indicated they aren’t sure what happens if too many participate. 

Selectmen also tied up a loose end from the recent referendum vote. Residents approved a minimum fee for the Fire and Rescue Cost Recovery Ordinance. On Sept. 8, selectmen set a minimum $500 fee for emergency and non-emergency responses.

In other action, a recent conversation with Boothbay Region Land Trust has selectmen seeking a legal opinion. Selectman Mike Smith spoke with BRLT Executive Director Nick Ullo about easements on land housing the River Link Trail. Selectmen are seeking to sell remaining parcels of the 80-plus acre Lallis property which is home to the trail.  “The trail meanders through the whole parcel, and he is willing to discuss easement relocation as long as the trail continues from Point A to Point B.”

Selectmen approved hiring attorney Jon Pottle of Eaton Peabody to advise them on possible easement language changes. The board also want Pottle to investigate two other matters. They want him  to research any potential obligations remaining regarding the former municipal tennis court. As part of a 1974  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.

Edgecomb is seeking a replacement for its former municipal tennis court to meet federal grant guidelines. As part of a Land Water Conservation Program grant, Edgecomb received funds for constructing a single tennis court. In 2004, Edgecomb sold the 5.9-acre property to the Elder Care Network of Lincoln County. In 2011, a state inspection found Edgecomb had violated grant terms. 

Selectmen also want Pottle to educate them on child care options, including if Tax Increment Financing funds can be used to help a business remodel a facility in the TIF district or pay employees.

On Sept. 9, selectmen scheduled an emergency meeting at 6 p.m. to discuss scheduling a special town meeting.