Edgecomb selectmen are seeking advice from the Maine Municipal Association for developing a policy on tax-acquired property. Residents authorized selectmen to dispose of tax-acquired properties as they deemed advisable at the recent town meeting.

On Monday, May 22, the board considered various options for disposing of four town-owned properties. In past years, selectmen typically allowed the previous owner or another resident to purchase the property for back taxes, interest and other costs, according to Treasurer Claudia Coffin. But two of the properties are unexpectedly complicated, according to selectmen. Two are rental properties with tenants still occupying them. The selectmen want answers to several questions before drafting a policy. The board plans on seeking legal advice from MMA officials regarding how to draft a policy pertaining to tax-acquired property occupied by renters.

“We need to find out what is going on,” said Selectman Mike Smith. “Tenants shouldn’t be paying rent to someone who no longer has ownership of the property.”

Selectmen expect to seek MMA advice and proceed with working on a policy through July.

In other action, the board heard about the Wiscasset Water District’s proposed rate increases for 2017 and 2018. District Superintendent Chris Cossette explained the district is requesting a 17.73 percent increase for residential users and 20 percent for commercial, government and fire protection users beginning July 1. Another 15 percent increase would take place on July 1, 2018. This would be the district’s  first rate increase since 2014.

“In the first year, the increase is about 11 cents per day. A residential rate user’s bill would go from $65.42 per quarter to $75.23,” Cossette said

Cossette said the proposed rate hikes are due to an increased cost to purchase water from Bath Water District, higher insurance premiums and general operating expenses. The proposal would also increase the town’s hydrant rental from $1,400 to $1600 this year and $1,900 next year.

The proposed increase came less than a week after Edgecomb’s town meeting. “This is really a shocker,” said Selectman Ted Hugger. “We have a short lead time and have already done our budgets.”

The district’s annual audit was completed and water trustees learned about the need for additional revenue on April 19, according to Cossette. The Wiscasset Water District provides public water for three towns. Woolwich is the third member of the district. A public hearing was held May 23 at the Wiscasset Water District’s business office. Cossette expects the Maine Public Utilities Commission to make a decision within a month regarding the proposed increase.

The selectmen also briefly discussed a proposed harbor master budget for 2017. Harbor Master Corning Townsend emailed selectmen a proposed budget financed by revenue from maintaining moorings. Townsend estimates moorings would generate about $600 a year. Board Chairman Jack Sarmanian reported Townsend would attend the next meeting to further discuss his proposal.

The selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 5 in the municipal room.