After two weeks of researching Gov. Janet Mills’ Community Resilience Program, Edgecomb selectmen still want more time before making a decision. On July 25, selectmen decided to wait prior to sending a letter of support identifying Sunrise Ecologic of Boothbay as the town’s service provider in the state’s program designed to fight climate change. 

On July 11, Sunrise Ecologic owner Shri Verrill explained her role as a service provider as well as enlisting other local communities, like Edgecomb, into the program. After speaking to Edgecomb, Verrill persuaded Boothbay and Southport to send letters of support identifying Sunrise Ecologic as their service providers. But Edgecomb asked for more time after their initial meeting, and planned on discussing the program further with Verrill at the July 25 meeting.

But Verrill didn’t attend, but she sent more program information for selectmen’s review. In her initial explanation, Verrill told selectmen the town had no financial obligation.

Selectman Ted Hugger had more reservations about the program and believed the town should take its time before making a decision. Selectman Mike Smith agreed to follow the other members’ cautious approach, but he believed the CRT had merit. “I’m fine with making sure everybody is comfortable with moving forward, but I’d love to see the town take advantage of this program. If we don’t apply for the funds, then another town will,” he said. 

In other action, selectmen appointed Barbara Brennan as the 250th anniversary’s organization committee’s facilitator. Brennan is charged with forming a committee to begin for the town’s anniversary celebration which occurs in 2024. “I don’t want to be the person responsible for coming up with ideas. I see it as the person who finds the people who will come up with the ideas,” she said. 

The committee will hold its first meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20 in the town hall. The meeting follows Edgecomb’s third “Meet and Greet” event beginning at 8:30 a.m. Prior to the event, selectmen will mail out a town survey along with information about the meeting. 

Selectmen also finalized 2022-23 municipal appointments: animal control officer, David Pratt; constable, Bob Leone; appeals board, Heather Burt; emergency management agency director, William Witzell, assistant director Roland Abbott; harbor master Terry Stockwell; assistant harbor master Corning Townsend; planning board alternate, Phil Haas; Schmid Board Trustees, Elizabeth McSwain and Andy Abello; shellfish committee, James Beam, Brian Main and Donald Clark. 

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1 in the town hall.