Whose sailboat is it, anyway, Edgecomb selectmen may be asking. Dec. 23, the board discussed seeking another option in disposing of the sailboat which showed up earlier this spring in their waters and later became trapped on a Woolwich mud flat.

Selectmen received two offers by King Tide, a Bath marine company. One is towing the sailboat to an Edgecomb mooring for $600 until town officials decide how to dispose of it. The second option is paying King Tide $3,000 to take care of the boat for them. Edgecomb didn't budget for this emergency, so King Tide offered to bill them in the next fiscal year, said Selectman Michael Maxim.

Selectmen appeared ready to accept the offer, but questions about the boat ownership dominated the Dec. 23 conversation. When the sailboat appeared in Edgecomb waters this spring, Harbor Master Terry Stockwell discovered it was last registered 52 years ago to a Westport Island man.

Town officials discovered  the man died, so they sent a certified letter to his widow, Elisabeth Landon, who didn't want anything to do with it, according to selectmen. Based on Maine Municipal Association advice, Edgecomb took responsibility for disposing of the boat, but a story emerged in which the boat may have been sold once, and maybe twice. "A clam digger said 'another clam digger bought it, and another clam digger bought it after that,'" Selectman George Chase said.

This created a scenario in which Edgecomb may not own the boat or be responsible for it. Selectmen decided to follow MMA advice and seek a signed affidavit from Lannon stipulating the boat was sold. Maxim was hesitant to pursue that option. "I think this would be difficult to prove without a paper trail," he said. "I guess, my question to legal is, would that work?" Maxim said.

Despite Maxim's reservation, the selectmen tabled their motion on paying King Tide up to $3,000 to dispose of the boat until ownership is clarified. "I want Terry (Stockwell) involved in the decision, and if time isn't a factor, I think we should wait," Maxim said.

In other action, Selectman Forrest Carver brought up the idea of purchasing the Midcoast Conservancy building on Route One, moving the town hall there and either selling or renting the current town hall to Edgecomb Historical Society. "That's an interesting idea," Chase said.

Selectmen received a notification from the Community Energy Fund of Lincoln County in Bristol. The non-profit group provides fuel assistance based on a referral system to families in need. "It's for people who may not feel comfortable asking for assistance, but for those who may know someone needing assistance," Administrative Assistant Jessica Mague said. "If you know someone in need you can request an application and refer them."

In its correspondence, CEF says it will only fund one delivery per season, unless there is an extraordinary circumstance. The fund provides oil, propane, electricity and wood. CEF has a printable form at www.communityenergyfund.com

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6 in the community room.