Edgecomb appoints Susan Amundsen to appeals board
Edgecomb selectmen have nominated a full appeals board and will be scheduling the first hearing in years. On Dec. 12, the board appointed Susan Amundsen to serve on the five-person board. She will join Stuart Smith, Alesia Norling, Karen Greene and Heather Burt in hearing the appeal.
Earlier this year, Alison and Mike Saylor of Carlisle, Massachusetts appealed three violations regarding their Shore Road property. The couple is challenging Code Enforcement Officer George Chase’s ruling regarding the non-conforming property in the shoreland zone. Town officials reported these violations carry a $5,000 per day fine. Selectman Mike Smith expects the appeal will be heard sometime in January or early February.
In other action, selectmen approved using $1,900 from the Hammond Fund for an upcoming 250th Edgecomb anniversary event. The town was incorporated on March 3, 1774, but a 250th anniversary committee has scheduled as many as two events per month beginning in January for the semiquincentennial.
The Hammond Fund was established in 1999 following a bequest from Maro Hammond to benefit town beautification projects. The first 250th event is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 7 at 3 p.m. at Merry Barn. The event is sponsored by Edgecomb Historical Society, who will host a 3 p.m. discussion, “Four Amazing Centuries of Edgecomb History.” This event is dedicated to the late Sue Carlson, a former historical society president.
The first property revaluation in over a decade will begin in 2024. Selectmen announced the process would begin early next year, and be completed prior to sending 2025 tax bills. Selectmen contracted with O’Donnell & Associates of New Gloucester for $136,000.
The town’s contract with Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service expires at year’s end. Smith reported the service’s initial offer shows a $16,000 per year increase. “We have scheduled a meeting (Dec. 27) with CLC to better understand their proposal,” he said. The board will also meet with budget committee members at their next meeting, Dec. 27, to begin scheduling workshops.
Selectmen changed their meeting schedule to accommodate Christmas plans. The board moved the date from Tuesday, Dec. 26 to Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 5 p.m. in the conference room.