TOWN OF EDGECOMB MINUTES OF THE ARTICLE 24 COMMITTEE
August 23, 2007

Attended: Jo Cameron, Town planner Byron Johnson, Task Force Chair Sue Carlson, architect Jim McQuaide, builder Mike Smith. Absent: Budget Committeeman Jack Sarmanian, School Board member Joe McSwain; there is no current Planning Board representative.

1. A letter from the Mid-Coast Unitarian/Universalist Fellowship was received, releasing the Goodrich family from the MUUF Right of Refusal.
2. The $25,000 voted in the 2006 Town Meeting should now be applied to hiring someone to do a survey and feasibility study of the Goodrich property in terms of the demands to be made by an adequate full-service fire station housing three vehicles and ancillary equipment and supplies.
3. It was agreed that the whole of the Goodrich property should be purchased by the Town. Although it can be divided into two equal-sized lots, a shared driveway would be required. Everyone doubted that a resident would be willing to share his driveway with a Fire Department!
4. It was determined that the existing driveway to the Goodrich residence qualifies as a pre-existing curb cut, to satisfy the State's requirement that no municipal or public building may be constructed on a state or federal highway if it requires new curb cuts. The Goodrich drive can be modified to meet the needs of the Fire Department.
5. Pending the outcome of the feasibility study, efforts should be renewed to acquire the "Sawyer Triangle" to provide a cohesive building site. A taking by eminent domain may have to be considered. The Committee will research what "eminent domain" entails, for a municipality.
6. Sue Carlson reviewed the 2006 site visit of the property surrounding the Edgecomb Eddy School. She presented a hydrology map showing the prevalence of wetlands in both the south side and the north side of that property. Mike Smith moved, Sue Carlson seconded; the vote was unanimous to drop the school property from consideration for town use, either for a fire station or new town offices.
7. It was agreed that the new Fire Station should be a stand-alone proposal to put before the Town Meeting. The urgent need for it is generally accepted, and can be readily demonstrated. It was felt that Edgecomb does not have a pressing need for new governmental offices; indeed, many residents prefer the Town Hall to the Edgecomb Eddy School as a location for Town Meetings, and that in Edgecomb there is a decided preference for "historic buildings."
8. Other possible properties were discussed.
   1. Mike Smith said that Chase Associates on Route 27 had probably outgrown that location. If the Town could offer them an alternative location, it might be possible to acquire that site for little money. Mike and Sue pointed out it would be necessary to acquire land from abutters to fill out a fire station's lot needs at that site. Jo Cameron suggested offering in "trade" the old Fire Station site, or possibly, the long-foreclosed Onorato property, although she would not like to displace Mr. Onorato without his consent and cooperation.
   2. Leonard Dowdy's Edgecomb City (Army/Navy) Store property has long been on the market. Although it is both level and dry, previous Article [27] Committees have judged it too far from the heart of town to be useful for fire department or governmental use.
   3. There is another property currently on the market, on Route 27 between Balducci's farm and the fabric store, although it might be too small and hilly, terrain similar to Chase Associates' land.
9. Sue Carlson recapped: that we need to determine if the Goodrich property is a feasible, practical and practicable option. We should turn to Chief Johnston for specifications, and carefully consider the needs for parking, water and sewer, etc. in order to present a compelling case before the Town.
10. Jo and Sue proposed that the Article 27 Committee call a meeting of the full committee, and elect a Chair (heretofore the selectman member has acted as chair). The Committee as presently constituted lacks a representative from the Planning Board. Then the Committee must go before the Selectmen for approval to hire for a survey and feasibility study in terms of a fire station's architecture and ancillary needs. The Town, via this Committee, should approach the realtor handling the Goodrich property and should consult MDOT and other relevant state agencies. Funding must be sought from state and federal sources.
11. With this resolve in mind, the next meeting of the Article 27 Committee is scheduled for Thursday, September 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall.

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