Earlier this year, Michael Maxim experienced the dangers of being a selectman. Since he was elected in May 2023, Maxim has twice cleaned mouse excrement from the town hall's kitchen. But those days won't likely be repeated any time soon.

Sept. 30, Edgecomb selectmen voted, 3-0, to hire Ehrlich Pest Control of Brunswick. Selectmen accepted Ehrlich's $668.72 bid for one year of service. Ehrlich's bid included eight traps and five bait stations. Modern Pest Services was the other bidder. MPS bid $1,552.56.

Selectman Forrest Carver offered to rid the building of mice through the use of traps and bait stations, but Fire Chief Roy Potter and former town medical officer Dr. Kathryn Rohr advised against it. Potter told selectmen the fire station also has a rodent problem. "We have found this out due to our own problem. You have to be licensed to place bait stations into a public building," he said.

Rohr explained, mice excrement is dangerous due to deadly viruses inhabiting it. Maxim admitted becoming ill after removing the most recent mice excrement. "This can be deadly because the Hanta virus is carried by mice," she said.

In other action, Potter reported his Oregon trip won't result in purchasing a used fire truck. On Sept. 16, selectmen authorized spending up to $108,000 on purchasing and transporting a used fire truck. After inspecting the truck, Potter discovered its current condition wasn't worth the hefty price. "It's a nice truck, but it had some issues," he said. "It sat longer than we thought. There are also a lot of small maintenance issues prior to putting it into service. So, it's not for us." Potter will continue to search for a used fire truck to replace two older models.

Edgecomb officials announced upcoming public safety trainings. One is a Narcan class scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13 at Edgecomb Community Church. Selectmen are trying to confirm a date for CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator) training. Jason Downing is the trainer. Selectmen are working with him on confirming an October date.

River Road resident Cindy Marsh told selectmen she would attend their next meeting. Marsh is one of several River Road residents concerned about Glidden Point Oyster Farms' operations. She and fellow River Road resident Mike Fataas attended the Sept. 30 meeting and shared noise and safety concerns about Glidden Point's operation. Selectmen will meet next on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

River Road resident David Tonry requested to speak about his concerns regarding Glidden Point's liquor license. In June, selectmen conditionally approved a liquor license for Glidden Point with the understanding the business would seek a change of use from the planning board. During a June meeting, Maxim acknowledged Glidden Point was transitioning from a farm stand to a Class A restaurant.  For the past two years, Conroy has made several complaints to selectmen and the planning board.

In August, Code Enforcement Officer Marian Anderson asked the town to seek a legal opinion regarding the farm's operation. Marsh described actions regarding the farm's operation as a "mad house" and inquired about what the town could do. Maxim responded the board was looking into its options.

In an email exchange with Glidden Point Oyster Farms' owner Ryan McPherson Oct. 3, McPherson wrote, "We plan to discuss the change of use before the 2026 season as the selectboard has requested. We've always had open and honest communication with the town, and we plan to continue that moving forward."