Halloo out there! How did the prolonged power outage and high winds affect you? I'm collecting storm stories for a future column. Please let me know, and please let me know if you need anything in the wake of the emergency.
I've got two for you. Sunday morning, in a crowded Damariscotta restaurant, getting breakfast among all the others without power, we encountered Bob Reed of the Merry Island Road who told us that the night before, he'd taken his mother, Veula, to the Newcastle 2d Congo church supper. And the power went out. But! The resourceful Congregationalists had gas ovens to keep food warm, camp lanterns in the kitchen, and they set candles out on the tables! Talk about Romantic! Bravo, Newcastle Congo!
On the way home from breakfast on Monday (!!), saw Sammy Hathorne walking up the River Road from where various large equipment were working away at the deep goudge created by wind and stopped-up water, exposing the recently laid Tidewater line. "Just giving them a couple more beaver," he cracked wise to us. You go, guy, Sam!
I truly hope you are all well and only uncomfortable, annoyed but not injured, during what has turned out to be a state-wide emergency.
A word from Officialdom: Lee Smith, your friendly Tax Collector, says, Don't forget! Your property tax deadline is November 30. "Edgecomb taxpayers are reminded that real estate taxes need to be paid before the end of November in order to avoid interest being added. Partial payments will be accepted if the whole amount cannot be paid and then interest will be due only on the unpaid balance. Tf taxes are escrowed with mortgage payments. Most mortgage companies request the bills directly from the town but some do not, so if someone is not sure if the bill has been requested, a telephone call can be made to the tax collector (882-7018) during office hours to find out." Town office hours are Thursdays and Tuesdays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Mondays, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
On another front------snowmobile registrations are now available at the tax collector's desk.
Edgecomb has a new Animal Control Officer! Ms. Andrea Orne is state-certified in both domestic and wild animal control. She is a Deputy ACO for Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor, and at her request, her colleagues in those towns will serve as ACO Deputies for our town. Please take down these numbers, to call in order of priority: First, her pager, 750-2040, Second, her cell phone, 380-2169. Welcome aboard, Andrea!
Please don't forget the Planning Board meeting this coming Monday, Nov. 6. at 6:30 p.m.! County Planner Bob Faunce will be presenting information to help us craft development standards for potential big boxes and commercial development. Even though last May we voted in a 35,000 sq. ft. size cap, Faunce's set of standards are ones that can be applied to smaller retail stores which might still negatively affect our town by the ways they are designed or how they look, among other things. I hope you all will come. It should be both interesting and informative.
On Nevember 7, polls in Edgecomb will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hats off to Kent Hersom, son of Troy and Sandra on the Cross Point Road! A Junior, Kent is Wiscasset High's October Student of the Month!
I tried to send this column from Rising Tide Community Market in Damariscotta, but apparently the papers have had trouble receiving it. Thanks, RT, for your willingness to help me! Appreciating the return of power at 234 River Road, 633-2978, bonesukl@midcoast.com. This column appears in several local papers, and at www.Edgecomb.org.