The old adage “a friend in need is a friend indeed” may apply to Edgecomb. On Aug. 13, Edgecomb Fire Department responded to a Georgetown brush fire which took two days to extinguish. On Sept. 13, Georgetown selectmen and Fire Chief Bronwen Tudor sent a letter to Edgecomb officials thanking them for their fire department’s cooperation. “It is encouraging to know that neighbors are still looking out for neighbors even across town lines,” wrote Town Administrator Amanda Campbell.

At Edgecomb selectmen’s Oct. 3 meeting, the board acknowledged Fire Chief Roy Potter and Assistant Chief Roland Abbott for their department’s mutual aid response. 

In other action, selectmen discussed results from Oct. 1’s 250th Anniversary planning session. Town officials held the planning session in lieu of the quarterly “Meet and Greet.” Selectman Mike Smith reported one suggestion was to hold six major events for the semiquincentennial celebration set for 2024. “We’re still in the planning stages, but the anniversary date is March 3. We’re planning on having a big cake and inviting the governor,” he said. “Other major events may include the Schmid Preserve hosting trail tours.”

Board Chairman Dawn Murray updated selectmen on recent Freedom of Access Act requests. The town received 19 more from River Road resident Timothy Harrington, bringing the total to 24. Murray said the new requests were related to past ones. In August, Harrington sent FOAA requests for town records  regarding a potential land development project and pending litigation with abutters. “They are all related to the same requests made in the past. We’re responding to them as fast as we can,” she said. 

One request regards ownership of Old County Road. In her research, Murray explained back when Maine counties relinquished ownership, it wasn’t clear if they reverted to municipal or state ownership. “The ownership isn’t clear. There isn’t any documentation stating the road was ever a town road or whether it was abandoned,” Murray said. 

Selectmen approved general assistance guidelines recommended by the Department Health and Human Services for 2022-23. Prior to the vote, a public hearing was held. No one attended. Murray is the town’s general assistance administrator. She was asked if more residents are seeking assistance due to the historic inflation rise. Murray reported she hadn’t witnessed more requests. “I’m a little surprised, but there hasn’t been a rise,” Murray said. She added the state had guidelines which limited access to assistance. “There is not a lot a town can do for those in need. The state requires you either have a job or are looking for work. What I do is mostly refer them to other agencies,” Murray said. 

Selectmen held an executive session to discuss a legal matter. The board took no action after resuming the open meeting. Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17 in the town hall.