In 1774, a small Lincoln County town started out as Freetown, but later renamed itself after a British lord who supported the American Revolution. Lord Mount Edgecomb was the British nobleman who lent his support to American independence and, 250 years later, selectmen are planning efforts to celebrate the town’s semiquincentennial. 

Jan. 10, selectmen discussed forming an oversight committee to begin planning for the 2024 celebration. 

Selectmen foresee a lecture about Lord Edgecomb; Edgecomb Eddy School doing an original play; and fifth and sixth graders interviewing longtime residents. 

In other action, selectmen discussed performing the first property revaluation in two decades. Chairman Dawn Murray reported a revaluation had an estimated $300,000 cost. Selectmen want to wait a couple years before beginning the revaluation. “We want to advise the budget committee, first, so we can plan on paying for it over a couple years,” she said.

Selectmen have two applicants for a vacant planning board seat. Murray will forward the names to the planning board for a recommendation. Selectmen set March 6 as the deadline for the town reports. The board also decided to hold a referendum town meeting in May instead of a public vote. Murray reported the decision was made due to a sharp rise recently in the COVID-19 omicron variant. 

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24 in the town hall.