Edgecomb selectmen are taking the next step in the town’s tax-acquired property procedure. On Nov. 5, the board voted 2-0 to put a 3.03-acre house lot out to bid. The town will advertise the newly created lot in three local newspapers.

Last summer, selectmen followed a 2017 policy for selling tax-acquired property. A letter was sent to abutters of the lot created out of the 80-plus acre Lallis property on McKay Road. Neither abutter had interest in the property. So selectmen are following the policy's second step by seeking sealed bids. The bid process was outlined in a letter read by Selectman Ted Hugger. 

Bids must be received by Dec. 10 and include a deposit of at least 10 percent. No late bids will be considered. All bids must be properly marked and sealed. Selectmen will open bids Dec. 17 in the town hall. Selectmen reserve the right to reject any and all bids.

In other action, selectmen reviewed an Oct. 22 public hearing on Maine Department of Transportation's 2019 Routes 1 and 27 project. The department will construct a “Florida T” to improve traffic flow and safety. During the hearing, MDOT officials referred to the $1.1 million design as a “safety improvement project.” This was the final public hearing before construction begins next spring. Selectman Ted Hugger remarked “overall the officials did a good job picking up on residents’ comments and recommendations.”

Selectman Mike Smith had concerns about the project’s impact on Englebrekt Road residents. The project would require two stops for Englebrekt Road motorists seeking access on U.S. Route 1’s southern side. “I hope they fine tune it because people on the Englebrekt Road must stop twice on the protective inlet which is limiting to property owners near the Cod Cove Inn amd cabins,” he said.

Selectmen will write MDOT Project Manager Ernie Martin about their opinions on the hearing.

Two Edgecomb Historical Society members, Cathy Orne and Dave Boucher, updated selectmen about the organization’s recent activity and requested a Hammond Fund grant. Two years ago,  the society received a $2,500 donation. Boucher explained the donation helped “with the society moving forward. It paid for promotional events, speakers' fees, maps and reprinting Catherine Owens’ books. And the society tripled its membership to 66.

“We put the money to good use and we want to keep moving forward,” Boucher said. “We need a place for the smithy, and want to develop a site plan review for the blacksmith shop. We also need storage for artifacts like old farming equipment and a cider press. Anything you could give us would be appreciated.”

Selectmen will consider the request further when board member Jack Sarmanian returns next meeting.

Road Commissioner Scott Griffin requested selectmen send a letter to a Cross Point Road resident about a water problem. Griffin reported a ditch was filled in at 516 Cross Point Road which created the issue. Griffin advised selectmen to act before cold weather resulted in the water freezing. Selectmen voted 2-0 to send a property owner a certified letter about the problem. The owner will have five days to respond and must correct the issue by Nov. 22.

The town will also renew an old award. In 1995, Edgecomb awarded the town’s top eighth grade student a cash prize as part of the Catherine Chase Owen Award. But when the town offered students school choice it became difficult to present, and became dormant. Two years ago, selectmen asked to change the award from an eighth to a sixth grader. Town officials spent the better part of two years trying to contact relatives of Annie Colby in memory of her aunt. The family recently sent permission along with a $100 donation.

But the fund still lacks enough money to provide an annual donation, according to Town Clerk Claudia Coffin. She reported the fund “makes about one cent per year so it will be a while before any cash is given.”

Selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19 in the municipal meeting room.