Edgecomb residents face three articles on marijuana at the annual town meeting May 18.

David Nutt brought the proposed warrant articles to selectmen on Tuesday, April 9 for approval after discussion and approval by the Ordinance Review Committee Jan. 3.

Nutt explained to selectmen, the first will be "an up or down vote whether Edgecomb residents want to allow retail sales of marijuana.” The other articles would allow commercial cultivation and commercial testing. Nutt said he would encourage the town to support this and he believed the sales could be a potential source of revenue for the town. He worked on the wording with Town Clerk Claudia Coffin. Selectman Mike Smith asked Nutt if the committee wanted the vote to be by show of hands or ballot. Nutt said a show of hands would be fine and he was hoping committee member Rebecca Graham would be able to attend the annual meeting, because “She is very dialed in on this.”

Nutt also brought up the need to revise the town’s comprehensive plan. “We have to start looking forward,” he said. Smith agreed, saying “We need to explore where we are now and where we want to find ourselves.” Smith said he was thinking about bringing up a review of it “some time” after the town meeting.

Selectmen have finalized the snowplowing contract for the next five years with Scott Griffin of SR Griffin Construction. Selectman Ted Hugger said the five-year term is “unique,” and provides stability and predictable expense for the town going forward. Under the terms, there will be a 4.5% increase for the 2019-20 season and a 1.5% increase each year after that. So Griffin would receive a total increase of 10.5% over five years, Hugger said. “At an average increase of 2.1% per year, that isn’t even keeping up with inflation," Hugger said.

Griffin has been paid $241,588 for the 2018-19 season. Selectmen agreed most people in town were happy with Griffin’s work.

Selectmen announced that the annual town report will be dedicated to Dawn Garvey. The Edgecomb native has been teaching in the town’s school system for 42 years.

EMA Director Bill Witzell followed up on previous discussions about the purchase of equipment for the fire department. In addition, the department is seeking to hire a clerk to help with some of its work. Smith questioned some of the expenses and asked Witzell if the job was necessary.

“The department is spread real thin now and only 20 percent of our time is spent on calls,” Witzell explained. He said the rest was administrative and included reports and documenting compliance. “It’s a big ask to keep piling on more responsibilities,” he continued.

Smith asked if the work could be done collectively by members. Smith also explained that everything would need to be approved by the selectmen and that the department will have a chance to present the information to residents at the town meeting.

The fire department received 12 calls for service in March.

Selectmen reported that Janet Blevins has resurrected the town’s Facebook page and will take the lead in maintaining it.

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. April 22 at the town office.