It’s been a busy year for the Edgecomb Fire Department with first responders attending to 230 emergency calls. Fire Chief Roy Potter estimates about half are motor vehicle accidents. Edgecomb first responders were especially busy in the past two months answering emergency calls for Route 27 motor vehicle accidents. This recent development makes selectmen wonder if the increased traffic to Gardens Aglow in Boothbay is the main factor.

During the Jan. 2 board meeting, selectmen asked Potter to calculate the number of motor vehicles accidents occurring during Gardens Aglow. Selectmen believe Gardens Aglow traffic may be placing a burden on local taxpayers.

“We need to consider what impact the Gardens is having on us and begin a dialogue with Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens because it is massive. It’s like New York City springing up around tiny villages,” Selectman Jack Sarmanian said. “The dialogue needs to be about what happens in the future. There is definitely a cost to us as a community.”

Potter indicated several recent accidents occurred when Gardens Aglow was open. Selectmen also thought the Maine Department of Transportation shared responsibility in creating a safer roadway for increased traffic during intense tourist seasons. “I think we need to have a conversation with them too,” said Selectman Ted Hugger.

In other action, selectmen unanimously voted to abate $1,135.51 in property taxes for Robert Burns for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. Burns sold his Cross Point Road property three years ago, but was still receiving a tax bill. Burns responded to a town letter about delinquent taxes by informing municipal officials he had sold the property.

Selectmen are considering sending the new owner a supplemental bill requesting property taxes for possibly one or three years of unpaid taxes.

The five-person budget committee will begin its work next week. Chairman Jack Brennan presented selectmen with a tentative schedule which begins at 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8 in the municipal building. The committee is inviting department heads and  selectmen to “put ideas forth about what coming up.”

Among the topics proposed by town officials during the board meeting for budget review are replacing the town hall’s roof and repairing the fire station’s entrance that has had frost damage. 

Selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15 in the conference room.