The $50,000 question facing Edgecomb officials is whether to join Gov. Janet Mills’ Community Resilience Partnership. The governor’s office of Policy, Innovation and the Future is charged with managing the program as part of Maine Climate Council’s action plan for reducing carbon emissions. On July 11, Shri Verrill of Sunrise Ecologic in Boothbay explained how Edgecomb would benefit from the program. 

Verrill would serve as the program’s local service provider. She would serve as a consultant, grant writer and general contractor for a year. If Edgecomb joined the coalition, the town would receive up to $50,000 to implement Climate Council action plan initiatives. The Service Provider must provide a 15% match in order to apply for the Service Provider grant. The Service Provider grant is available to pay for services that will facilitate the town becoming enrolled in the partnership, at which point each enrolled town will be eligible to apply for up to $50,000 per town to implement community action items or an item identified in the enrollment process. Each Service Provider may work with two to five towns.

Selectman Mike Smith believed the program would further inform the town on federal and state funding regarding modern energy sources. “The thing I found interesting is this is an opportunity to employ her services to find out what’s available to us. I understand there is no cost to the town and we only have to agree to allow her to help us,” he said.

But Selectman Ted Hugger wanted more information. He sought answers about the number of participating communities, total budget, the program’s funding source and members’ obligations as participants. “As a business owner, I participated in several COVID-19 state programs. If you accept the money there are always stipulations, and I’d like to know more about the program,” he said. 

Verrill agreed to provide more information at the board’s next meeting.

In other action, selectmen are slowly beginning to plan for the town’s semisesquincentennial celebration in 2024. Selectmen discussed appointing a committee along with two co-chairmen to manage the 175th anniversary planning. Smith also suggested replacing the traditional fireworks celebration with drone works. “It’s a quieter celebration and can still be as patriotic as you want to be with a colorful display,” he said. 

Selectmen reappointed George Chase as code enforcement officer, 911 addressing officer and licensed plumbing inspector. Edgecomb will hold its third “Meet and Greet” event at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. Board Chairman Dawn Murray introduced the event last year to familiarize new residents with town officials and longtime community members.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, July 25 in the town hall. 

This article has been updated from its original posting.