The days of the former “bed frame house,” as Edgecomb selectmen called it, may be numbered. The former antique store and residence off Route One is in poor condition and been vacant for several years. A year ago, selectmen contacted the owner about removing the dilapidated structure, without success. On Feb. 27, the board considered placing a timetable on removal.

The selectmen want Code Enforcement Officer Stan Waltz to visit with the owner and learn what plans he has for the building’s disposal. Town officials didn’t recall the owner’s name.

“It’s time to revisit our conversation with the Route One property owner,” said Selectman Mike Smith. “I hope his health is better and I think it’s time to re-address his plans for removing the building. We may have to put a clock on it.”

In other action, the selectmen said they want to resurrect an old tradition of honoring an outstanding Edgecomb student. For years, the town’s top eighth grade student was presented a cash prize from the Annie Colby Chase Trust. Smith remembered, when he served as a school committee member,  the student received a cash reward of approximately $60. Investment proceeds were used as the annual cash prize. The award was suspended several years ago during the Great Recession, according to Smith.

Town officials tried resurrecting the tradition last year, but couldn’t due to Edgecomb eighth graders no longer being in one place. Several years ago, Edgecomb contracted with Wiscasset to take all of Edgecomb’s seventh and eighth graders. Now, Edgecomb residents have school choice.

Selectmen want to change provisions of the trust and award cash to the top sixth grader at Edgecomb Eddy School. The selectmen will seek permission from trustees.

Selectmen also scheduled the dates for a proposed floating house moratorium vote and a hearing. On March 13, a public hearing will be held, followed two weeks later by a special town meeting. Both dates fall on regularly scheduled select board meeting nights and will be held at 7 p.m. The moratorium would allow planning board and ordinance review committee members time to draft an ordinance placing restrictions on floating houses. Currently, town and state ordinances place no restrictions on floating houses.

Selectmen have nominated a Website Committee member for this year’s Spirit of America Award. The board unanimously chose Don Kroitzsh as the town’s nominee. The Maine Spirit of America Foundation has presented over 400 certificates statewide since 1991. The foundation is a 501(c) (3) public charity which encourages community volunteerism.

The selectmen considered a second Website Committee member, Janet Blevins, for the honor before choosing Kroitzsh as the sole recipient. Selectman Ted Hugger suggested naming the entire committee, but Smith disagreed.

“Not all the members contributed the same,” he said. “Both Don and Janet did a fantastic job, but Don put a million hours into the project.”

The recipient will be recognized at the May town meeting, and again in December, during a county-wide recognition in Wiscasset.

The board also nominated four people as Schmid Preserve trustees. Current members Andy Abello and Lisa McSwain were renominated to serve two-year terms which end in 2019. The selectmen also nominated Jim Beem and Mark Warren to fill terms expiring on June 30.

Selectmen will meet next a 6 p.m. on Monday, March 13 in the municipal building.