Edgecomb found itself in a pickle in 2013, after learning about a federal grant provision requiring maintenance of their federally funded municipal tennis court. In 1974, Edgecomb received $5,600 in federal funds to build a tennis court on a 2.8-acre parcel at Edgecomb Eddy School's former location on Cross Point Road.

Nearly 40 years later, municipal officials learned they violated the grant's terms by selling the property to Elder Care Network. The courts were no longer public property and were unplayable due to lack of maintenance.  In 2013, a state audit discovered Edgecomb's violation and the town became ineligible to receive federal grants. 

But Edgecomb's days on the ineligible list may be dwindling. Aug. 5, newly elected Selectman Forrest Carver proposed building a pickleball court. Under the grant's terms, a replacement must meet the recreational and economic value of the previous award. The town would need to cover purchasing property and court construction costs. 

Carver discussed the proposal with Dr. Allan "Chip" Teel, founder of  Elder Care Network in Lincoln County. He told selectmen Aug. 5, Teel is open to returning the former tennis court's "footprint" back to the town. Selectmen tabled further discussion until more concrete details emerge. 

In other action, Edgecomb applied for membership in the state's Community Resilience Partnership, a state program designed to fight climate change. The board met with Laura Graziano, a community resilience planner with Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission. She assisted Edgecomb with its Community Resilience Partnership application.

The CRP is a program administered by the Governor’s Office of Policy, Innovation, and the Future to help implement strategic priorities identified in Maine’s Climate Action Plan. Edgecomb's application seeks state grants for improving the town hall's and Eddy school's energy efficiency.

Selectmen tabled a proposal regarding paying administrative assistant's Jessica Mague's training for a Maine Municipal Association-sponsored session on tax collection and other financial related duties. Selectman Michael Maxim originally opposed paying the $110 training cost because Mague doesn't currently perform any of those duties. "Our training budget is $600 for the year. So, $110 takes a big part for something she isn't even involved with," Maxim said.

Selectman George Chase thought the training may have a future municipal benefit."I could see a future benefit if she ever assumed those roles either full- or part-time," he said. Carver was undecided so selectmen tabled the matter until they have discussed the proposal with Mague.

Edgecomb will enter into an agreement with Lincoln County Sheriff's Department to provide animal control services. Under the agreement, Edgecomb pays a $300 annual fee, and $25.41 per hour with a two-hour minimum per call. The agreement expires at year's end. "At this time, it's probably the best choice. I'm not sure how expensive it is, but it gives us a chance to try it," Carver said.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19 in the conference room.