An abandoned Cape Dory 25 sailboat which unexpectedly found its way to Edgecomb last May, and later mysteriously disappeared by August, has reappeared.  On Nov. 25, Harbor Master Terry Stockwell reported that Woolwich officials told him the sailboat was found on their mudflats.

Edgecomb became legally responsible for the abandoned sailboat last spring due to the previous owner's death and his wife telling town officials she didn't want it. With the sailboat's reappearance, Stockwell told selectmen, "The question facing us is when and how? Regarding the town's responsibility in the sailboat's disposition. Stockwell suggested destroying it. “I don’t know what the condition is, but I know it's a liability to the town. I suggest we destroy it because it has no real value. It's like an albatross hanging over us,” he said.

Selectmen will gather information on their options and create an action plan during one of their December meetings.

In other action, selectmen are working with Twisted Willow Farms on a replanting agreement. Twisted Willow Farms has an application before the planning board for a change of use. Ronald Cohen of Boothbay Harbor and his client, Rebecca Abbott of Boothbay, are seeking approval for building two new structures on the River Road property. One is an indoor horse-riding arena with a viewing room. The other is a 20-stall boarding barn for animal boarding and training. The project is in a resource protection zone.

UPDATE: According to Cohen, the property where the work is being done is in a shoreland and marine district, not the resource protection zone. Cohen provided the newspaper with a zoning map legend defining the two distinct areas. Planning board chairman Rebecca Graham has deferred questions on the issue to code enforcement officer Marian Anderson but efforts to contact her have not happened as of Jan. 16.

According to planning board officials, the applicants never received permission before starting and were found in in violation of the shoreland and viewed for possible Department of Environment Protection and Natural Resources Protection Act violations. "They applied for a late approval once discovered. They were supposed to replant all of the removed vegetation and stabilize the property to prevent further run-off into the pond this past spring," said planning board chairman Rebecca Graham. "That never happened, just the temporary material to prevent further silt run-off into the stream."

According to Graham, the consent agreement outlines expected remediation and establishes a clear ability and intent to enforce those provisions so the town can take action if violations continue. According to municipal ordinances, only the selectboard, not code officer, has authority to enter into a consent agreement.

In December, residents will have access to at least two buckets of sand. Selectmen approved holding a “Sand Day” at the sand and salt shed from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Selectmen also filled a vacant Waterfront Committee seat. The board named John Allen III to succeed Tom Boudin.

The board meets next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 in the conference room.