Committee formulating plans for Edgecomb town hall
Edgecomb is asking for a little help formulating plans to extend the town hall’s usefulness. As the town nears its 250th anniversary in 2024, the town hall has stood at its Route 27 location since the late 1700s.
The town hall committee received a $2,000 Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission Ask (assistance with specific know-how) Grant last year to explore the building’s future. On Nov. 26, Selectman and Town Hall Committee member Mike Smith reported the group’s recommendations which included seeking a professional opinion to guide them. “Our members have ideas from renovating to retrofitting to doing nothing, but we think a person with architectural or engineering background would serve us better when deciding in making it functional over the next 50 years,” he said.
The committee is proposing to seek requests for proposals from eight to 10 firms. The successful candidate would work with the committee in outlining potential additions and interior renovations. Under the proposal, firms would have until Monday, Jan. 2 to submit interest in the project. The committee and selectmen would review proposals and choose a candidate.
Selectmen will review the two-page proposal and decide whether to accept the committee’ recommendation at a future meeting.
In other action, selectmen renewed Cook’s Landing Pizzeria and Pub’s liquor license. In the past year, selectmen reported no public complaints on the pub’s operation. “Nothing has changed, and we had no police calls two years in a row,” co-owner Cindy Landry said.
Selectmen set Friday, Dec. 9 as the annual Charlie Brown Christmas Tree decorating contest. The contest begins at 9 a.m. when Edgecomb Eddy School students begin decorating nine trees. This year’s theme is “Clean the Closet.” Smith explained the goal is more focus on spirit and less on competitiveness. “We’re hoping students use what they already have in their classroom for decorations. We don’t want them spending money on decorations, but rather use their creativity in finding items already in the classrooms.”
Judging takes place between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. followed by an evening ceremony. The public is invited to attend and enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and Christmas caroling.
Selectmen set March 4 as the next “Meet and Greet” at the town hall. The event’s main focus is planning for Edgecomb’s 250 anniversary which begins March 3, 2024.
Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12 in the conference room.