Three December storms resulted in severe flooding at Davis Island properties and a resident is now looking for help. John Allen requested Feb. 20 Edgecomb selectmen assist their homeowner’s association with submitting a Maine Emergency Management Agency application for natural disaster funding. 

Davis wants the selectmen to meet with MEMA representative Heather Dumais to develop the town’s disaster aid application. “The last couple years a number of water incursions have inundated homes and recent storms caused pretty serious damage,” he said.  “In the past year, our insurance rates increased by four times. Our ask is the town to assist in state paperwork to qualify for funding.”

Selectmen agreed and directed him to schedule a joint meeting with Dumais.

In other action, selectmen unanimously agreed to enter into a three-year contract with Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service. In year one, the annual fee goes from $56,000 to $72,500. In the second and third years, the fee rises an additional $6,000. Residents will vote on whether to ratify the agreement during their May town meeting. 

Edgecomb and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Conservation are moving closer to finding a recreational alternative to the defunct public tennis court. In 2018, DACF began working with town officials to abide by terms of a 1974 Federal Land Water Conservation Grant. Edgecomb violated the terms in 2004 after selling the old Eddy School which included a public tennis court purchased through the federal grant. 

Selectmen tapped the conservation committee to search for a possible recreational use replacement. Selectmen asked the committee to review four tax-acquired properties totaling over 100 acres to find a suitable 5.9-acre swap. A parcel will be selected after selectmen follow the town’s tax-acquired property process. Under the policy, the property is first offered back to the previous owner to pay back taxes and legal costs. Second, abutters are offered to bid on the property. Third, selectmen seek a sealed bid. All unsold land remains with the town. Selectmen believe a replacement parcel will come from the remaining parcels. 

“We want you to review the remaining parcels and make a recommendation. We think this will be a great project for the conservation committee,” he said.  “One of the properties has the old Samuel Trask house which we’re thinking could be conveyed to the historical society to house their artifacts. But we think there is a suitable recreational replacement somewhere in there.”

Due to violating grant terms, Edgecomb hasn’t been eligible since 2018 for a Federal Land Water Conservation Grant.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. March 5 in the conference room.