Edgecomb selectmen appointed a five-person committee to begin reviewing the town’s 13-year-old comprehensive plan. On June 13, selectmen unanimously appointed the code enforcement officer, three planning board members and one ordinance review committee member to the fledgling group. Planning board member Rebecca Graham and ordinance review member David Nutt urged selectmen to appoint the committee to deal with recent changes in state guidelines on Maine’s Uniform Building & Energy Codes and local housing issues. 

“I think an update is long overdue,” Nutt said. “In a way, this is scary, but it’s also great.” Graham said state changes in designating certain lots would create more accessory lots. Graham reported new guidelines would allow up to four accessory dwellings on a property with water and sewer availability. 

The three other committee members are CEO George Chase and planning board members Barry Hathorne and Jack French. Selectman Mike Smith cautioned the new committee about a lack of funding. “There is money from the state. LD 2003 has up to $25,000 annually for a committee to promote and development ordinances,” Chase said.

In other action, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry will train Edgecomb’s fire department on creating fire breaks. The training will take place later this year in Schmid Preserve. Board Chairman Dawn Murray reported no fire will be set during the training. In a prior conversation, Murray told selectmen she spoke to Schmid Preserve Chairman Lisa McSwain who approved the request. “She told me as long as they put it back, she was fine,” Murray said. Selectmen don’t know when the training starts. 

Smith reported bad news for residents who are Wiscasset Sewer District customers. The district provides sewer for three Edgecomb land association developments. “There is a proposed (46% revenue) increase, and we should notify those  impacted,” he said. “We are the town’s sewer trustees, and we should alert them (about) any potential hearings.”

Selectmen are also exploring their options for a cheaper way to video conference. Murray visited a Boothbay Harbor school recently where she met an audio and visual technician installing equipment. 

“I asked him about (Edgecomb), and he recommended an option using American Rescue Plan Act funds,” she said. His option included buying a special television which included a camera and connecting sound bars to the set. “We can connect it to a laptop, and replace our Zoom meetings with video conferencing.” she said. Murray estimated it would cost around $5,000. 

Murray also updated selectmen about a tort claim against the town. A car parked on Cross Point Road was  damaged by a falling tree limb. The car owner filed an insurance claim which Murray forwarded to the town’s insurer, Maine Municipal Association.  “We didn’t own the property, and as a municipality, we’re exempt from tort claims. So this is over,” she said. 

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, June 27 in the town office.