Edgecomb's code enforcement and health officers have submitted their resignations. On Nov. 12, Selectboard Chairman Michael Maxim announced he received resignation notices from Code Enforcement Officer Phil Haas and Health Officer Dr. Kathryn Rohr prior to the board's meeting. 

Maxim reported Haas plans to work until Dec. 1. Both Haas and Rohr attended the meeting. Maxim asked Haas if he could extend his stay until Jan. 1. Haas told selectmen he was willing to consider the request.  "I have no concrete plans so let me put some thought into it, and I will let you know."

Selectman George Chase offered to assist Haas in his final days if it would reduce his workload. Chase served as CEO prior to becoming a selectman.

Selectmen accepted Rohr's resignation and asked if they could seek her "wisdom and knowledge" on future health matters. "Of course, and at no charge," she said. 

Later, Haas addressed selectmen about a pending code violation. Bob Gareau is selling his property at 119 Eddy Road. While discussing the future sale with a mortgage company, he discovered there was no permit for his garage and the structure violated shoreland zoning regulations. 

Haas and Gareau discussed the situation with selectmen. Chase advised Haas he should submit a notice of violation for both the land use violation and failure to receive a buidling permit.

Gareau told selectmen he purchased the property during the "height of COVID," and relied on a contractor's opinion regarding building a 20-foot by 25-foot garage. "I accept full responsibility, and will take accountability. I didn't know I needed a permit, and the contractor told me I didn't need one."

Chase advised Gareau to seek a permit "after-the-fact" and move the garage out of the shoreland zone. "You can move it or sell it," he said. "If you do it within 30 days, you will avoid fines."

In other action, Edgecomb applied to join the Community Resilence Partnership which is part of the state's climate action initiative. In April 2022, Gov. Janet Mills created "Maine Won't Wait!" which is part of her climate initiative and administered out of the Office of Policy, Innovation and the Future. 

Selectmen met with Laura Graziano, a community resiliency planner with Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission. She is assisting Edgecomb and Whitefield with their CRP applications. The program provides Maine towns with community action grants and technical assistance. If the state approves the application, Graziano would serve as the towns' service provider and administer funding  projects dealing with climate action. 

The Community Action Plan lists 72 qualifed programs for funding without a local match. Graziano described potential projects as municipal building upgrades, heat pumps and other alternate energy sources and vulnerability assessments. 

Graziano will submit the joint-application to meet an August 2025 deadline. She reported recipients will likely receive notification by early October 2025. 

Last month, selectmen received a Boothbay Summer Theater request to rent the town hall next summer for three weeks. 

Boothbay Summer Theater is part of Snowlion Productions, a Portland-based production company owned by Margit Ahlin and Al D'Andrea, who moved to the Boothbay region in 2020. In creating BST, the couple planned on bringing summer theater back to the region.

In 2025, BST plans on producing "Red," a two-man play. "Red" is a Broadway play based on Mark Rothko, a New York City artist who in 1958 was commissioned to paint a group of murals for Four Seasons Restaurant.  BST will perform the play during Windjammer Days, June 24, 25, 26 and 27. The second run would be July 3, 5, 6 and 7. BST plans six shows per week with four matinees. 

On Nov. 12, selectmen agreed to rent the building for three weeks at $2,675 plus a refundable cleaning fee. Maxim offered to contact the group about its proposal. 

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 in the conference room.