Marian Anderson said she has no issue with Edgecomb Selectman Stuart Smith and doesn't feel that Smith has done anything to warrant an apology to her.

At the Edgecomb selectmen’s meeting on Monday, Feb. 10, Town Clerk Claudia Coffin asked that a formal letter of apology from selectman Stuart Smith be written to Anderson within a week.

At issue was what Coffin called a discourtesy paid to Anderson by Smith when he attended a Boothbay selectmen's meeting on January 22 to discuss the possibility of combining the two towns' code enforcement departments. The implication was that Smith had attended the meeting without the knowledge of fellow Edgecomb selectmen, and had spoken for them.

Selectman Jack Sarmanian has since acknowledged that had spoken with Smith previously about exploring the idea and that he had no problem with it.

If a merger is agreed on, the part-time position of code enforcement officer that Anderson has held for four and a half years will be eliminated and Boothbay's code enforcement department will absorb Edgecomb's to provide services to both towns. Dan Bryer and Lori Colton make up Boothbay’s code enforcement department.

Smith said that talk of the possible merger has been going on for a year, and that Anderson has had full knowledge of it. He said discussions at the meeting in Boothbay were purely exploratory. “It's all been information gathering,” he said. “We weren't saying we were going to enter into a contract.”

“Marian is the consummate professional,” Smith said. “I have no complaints about her work or work ethic. If people think this is an indictment on her they're wrong. If I've caused her any heartache and pain I'm sorry.”

According to Anderson there are no hard feelings. “I don't have a problem with Stuart. There's no need for an apology. These talks have been going on for a year. It's nothing new.”

Anderson announced her retirement from the code enforcement position at Monday night's meeting, saying she only wants what's best for Edgecomb. “I just want to cooperate with you however I can. You let me know how I can help you the best,” she said.

The Boothbay and Edgecomb boards of selectmen will meet at the Boothbay town office on February 26 at 6 p.m. to discuss the possible merger. If the towns agree on a contract there will be a public vote.