All three Edgecomb selectmen agree the town hall's exterior needs a paint job, but they don't agree on when. Selectmen on Sept. 17 discussed whether to proceed with plans to paint all four sides of the town hall this fall or wait until next year when a lower bid can be secured.

Earlier this year, selectmen sought bids for painting the town hall, but received no responses. Selectmen later proceeded to seek quotes from two local contractors and discussed each one.  Hopkins Painting Service, LLC of Chelsea submitted a $34,880 quote. Dickinson's Painting of Boothbay Harbor bid $24,500. 

Selectman George Chase is a former house painter who previously painted the town hall. He believes both bids were overpriced, and the town should wait until next year to seek more competitive bids. Selectmen Lyn Norgang and Michael Maxim disagreed. Norgang described the town hall's current exterior as "terrible and dirty." Maxim also supported proceeding with painting the town hall this fall. 

He recommended the board investigate to see if American Rescue Plan Act funds could be used for painting the town hall. Selectmen tabled the discussion while they seek a response about ARPA rules.

In other action, selectmen are slowly assembling a community group to research municipal and educational spending. In August, selectmen heard taxpayer complaints from seasonal and year-round residents about large increases in their property bills.

Selectmen responded by seeking volunteers for a community group to research cost-saving measures for municipal spending. Stuart Smith was the first resident named to the committee. Six others have volunteered to serve on the unnamed committee. Selectmen hope the committee will make formal recommendations before February when the last of the seasonal residents head south. 

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