Last Saturday the Town of Edgecomb said farewell and thanks to Rodd Hopper, who has retired from long- standing public service as an Edgecomb Selectman. And the Town welcomes Stuart Smith, former chair of the Planning Board, newly elected as a Selectman. Katherine Braid and Lisa McSwain were elected to the Planning Board; Joe McSwain was returned to the School Board, Scott Griffin as Road Commissioner, Lee Smith as Tax Collector and Claudia Coffin as Town Clerk and Town Treasurer.
After a moment of silence to observe the passing of Mellie Giles, who died May 19, Peg Jacobs, March 23, and John Eaton, January 12, moderator Ervin Snyder opened the meeting for the business of the Town of Edgecomb.
Some major items that were passed were the sending of middle school students to the Boothbay Region CSA instead of Wiscasset; the decision to borrow money for the reconstitution of the Cross Point Road; the hiring of a part-time professional planner to advise the Planning Board. One amendment of the Land Use Ordinance generated discussion over the density allowable when public water and sewer are provided. The amendment passed, as it was restricted to Shoreland considerations. The density issue will be addressed in a major combined meeting of the Planning Board, Selectmen, consultants and interested parties on Monday, June 5, with a Special Town Meeting to be called following those deliberations.
Although one proposal to take $25,000 from the Wood's End Landing Fund for the purchase of land for an expanded fire station and town offices was approved after debate, the second such amount for land to enlarge the Salt Shed location to a Public Works site was defeated. Discussion centered on the proper use and focus of the Wood's End Landing Fund itself.
Article 31, the basic Roads Department Budget, was altered to appropriate more funds from surplus, leaving only $10,000 to be raised from taxes, thus bringing Edgecomb's total budget within compliance with the new LD 1 limits on spending from property taxes.
Among guests from elsewhere were State Representative Jonathan McKane, State Senate candidate Kathleen King, and new Boothbay Region Land Trust executive director Julie Lamy.
Our great thanks to Bintliff's Ocean Grill for providing delectable noshables for the break in the meeting, and also to the Parents and Teachers Committee of the Edgecomb Eddy School for providing that all-sustaining beverage, coffee!
So remember the above mentioned date, Monday, June 5, 6:30 p.m., at the Town Hall, whereat the Planning Board will be discussing the issue of density vis a vis sewer and water throughout Edgecomb and the ramifications of how the present language of Land Use Ordinance Article V. 4.8 affects our town. This is a public meeting with open discussion.
In lieu of flowers, Mellie Giles' family is asking for donations to the "Fort Edgecomb Preservation Committee" c/o the Town Hall, POB 139, Edgecomb ME 04556. Her service will have been on Tuesday at Simmons, Harrington and Hall funeral home in Boothbay. (Please make any such checks payable to The Friends of Fort Edgecomb.)
The Edgecomb Historical Society cheerfully reports a land-office business in their Town Meeting sales of the 1857 Edgecomb map! Remember, the EHS is holding its meeting at 2:00 p.m. this very afternoon in the conference room at the Edgecomb Eddy School! Come on over and meet Mary Ellen Barnes of Westport Island, and her colleagues!
We understand that Jim Beam got him a big turkey gobbler during the May season. I'm kind of fond of those fellers puffing themselves up and floating around like Japanese warrior gods, but I guess they make good eating!
In more pastoral news, Al Cooper has six new beef critters adorning the Cameron meadow at 234 River Road, 633-2978, bonesukl@midcoast.com. This column appears in several local papers, and at www.Edgecomb.org.