Edgecomb selectmen are seeking state assistance in fixing the troublesome Eddy Road.

On Monday, June 30, the board voted unanimously to request that the Maine Department of Transportation improve the maintenance of the state road, which has been plagued for years by drainage problems. Town officials described the road’s condition as a “safety hazard” due to a soft shoulder and inability to support large commercial-sized trucks.

The board agreed to write a letter to the MDOT after Fire Chief Roy Potter expressed his concerns. The chief described the road’s condition as an “on-going safety hazard.” In recent years, the problem has been highlighted by three heavy commercial-sized trucks falling through the road’s surface.

“I’m asking you to write a letter and get something done about this,” Potter said. “And you need to use some strong language, the road is in such bad condition I won’t allow any of the department’s vehicles on it except under emergency conditions.”

Selectman Stuart Smith described the road as needing better drainage, ditching and a new culvert. He said the road is constantly in poor condition because the DOT had performed minimal maintenance in the past decade.

“They really don’t do much except applying a skim coat every 10 years or so,” Smith said. “It’s a state road so they should be doing a whole lot more.”

Board Chairman Jack Sarmanian indicated he’d write the letter. He added that the situation may require getting the local legislators involved.

Other business

In other action, the selectmen approved a four percent increase in the snow plowing contract this year. The board extended its agreement with Scott Griffin who has plowed the town’s roads for years. Griffin, who also serves as road commissioner, indicated he may request changes to future snow plowing agreements, but he didn’t say what those may be.

The board is also close to selecting a firm to conduct the annual town audit. The selectmen have contracted audit services for over 15 years with the William H. Brewer & Company in Bath. In previous years, Fred Brewer had conducted Edgecomb’s audit for his family firm, but he has since joined Perry, Fitts, Boulette and Fitton of Oakland. Fred Brewer quoted a $10,500 price for the 2013 audit.

Sarmanian said it may be a good idea to change auditors on a regular basis, but the town budgeted $8,000 for the audit at town meeting, and William H. Brewer & Company had already agreed to do it for that amount. Smith indicated that the board needed to chose a firm “as soon as possible.”

The selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 14 in the municipal building. The public is welcome.