The Edgecomb Appeals Board now has four members. On Nov. 28, selectmen appointed Stuart Smith to the board. He joins Alesia Norling, Karen Greene and  Heather Burt. The appeals board hasn’t met in years, but a Carlisle, Massachusetts couple is appealing fines levied by Code Enforcement Officer George Chase regarding their Shore Road property.

Selectman Mike Smith said the selectboard would like to appoint another appeals board member and a couple alternates prior to the appeals board hearing. So far, no date has been set for the appeal filed by Alison and Mike Saylor who purchased their property earlier this year. Chase assessed three violations on the non-conforming property located in the shoreland zone. Mike Smith reported the couple is appealing the $5,000 per day fines. Stuart Smith, no relation to Mike Smith, previously served on the town’s select and planning boards. 

In other action, Dr. Kathryn Rohr serves as the town’s medical officer. Selectmen sought her advice on the town purchasing a defibrillator. Rohr advised selectmen to store the device in the town hall. She also agreed to participate in a defibrillator and CPR training day. Selectmen had previously asked her to research grant programs for free well testing. Rohr told selectmen she researched a federal grant which didn’t prove fruitful. “The grant was geared more toward COVID-19 epidemic prevention so I think it was a little misleading,” she said. “I spoke to other town medical officers who applied for the grant. None received the grant so it was probably difficult to qualify. I’m now on state and federal mailing lists so I will keep trying.”

Mike Smith proposed using American Rescue Plan Act funds to assist citizens in seeking well water testing. Rohr didn’t think every private well needs testing. “A few wells could be tested to see what the trend is,” she said. Mike Smith reported progress dealing with Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding the town’s disaster relief claim. Edgecomb is part of Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency’s federal disaster relief grant application. MEMA officials are reviewing the county’s claim with local municipal officials.

Edgecomb officials reported significant damage from the April 30 heavy rain. Town officials identified significant damage to Spring Hill Farm, Cross Point and Mt. Hunger roads. On May 1, Road Commissioner Scott Griffin witnessed how the rain washed out Spring Hill Road leaving residents stranded for a 48-hour period. Griffin’s crew made the road passable by installing emergency culverts.

Smith reported FEMA has signed off on Griffin’s work. Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12.