Another Edgecomb selectman is resigning. Dawn Murray resigned on Dec. 31, and now Selectman Ted Hugger announced he is resigning on April 17. Hugger has served eight years on the board and won re-election last May to a three-year term. But his future in town government became complicated when he sold Cod Cove Inn. Hugger and his wife, Jill Hugger, first leased and bought the Edgecomb inn in 2013. Last July, the couple sold it and focused on operating their Cedar Crest Inn in Camden. 

 

Ted Hugger made his announcement midway through the Jan. 9 selectmen’s meeting. He was elected to his first term in 2013. Since July, the Huggers have searched for housing in Edgecomb without success. During the search, the Huggers lived in Damariscotta, and will remain there after they buy a home in April. 

 

“Our preference was to stay in Edgecomb, but due to a housing shortage and high prices for available homes, we couldn’t find anything,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed my time in Edgecomb and serving the residents.”

 

Hugger can remain as selectman until he officially changes addresses. With Hugger’s impending departure, it will leave two selectmen vacancies for about 45 days prior to the May municipal elections. Selectmen scheduled an April 15 special town election to fill Murray’s month-plus vacancy and Hugger’s two-year unexpired term. 

 

In other action, selectmen decided against holding an in-person May town meeting. Since the pandemic, selectmen have opted for annual May election referendum votes. Selectman Mike Smith cited an influx of respiratory viruses as the main reason to continue with the alternate format. “The referendum has actually worked out,” Hugger said. “We’ve found referendums draw a larger number of voters than town meeting.”

 

Selectmen also tabled two residents’ requests. Schmid Preserve Chairman Lisa McSwain reported a growing number of invasive species were found in the preserve fields, which are mowed every year to try and control the invasive species. She requested that the mowing charge might be taken from another fund that the town might consider, which would reduce the Schmid Preserve yearly budget and save a few taxpayer dollars. That proposal is under consideration.

 

Resident Terry Stockwell asked selectmen to make sand available to the public. He proposed designating a “small pile” available at the salt shed. Selectmen received a Maine Municipal Association opinion. MMA told selectmen the proposal was allowed, but it created liability concerns for towns, said Hugger.  Selectmen tabled the request.

 

Selectmen entered into executive session to confer with counsel on a legal matter. After the session, Hugger reported the municipal attorney updated them about an ongoing legal issue with resident Timothy Harrington.

 

In November, Wiscasset District Court Judge John Martin granted now former selectman Murray and resident Alan Whitman protection from harassment orders against Harrington for 364 days. On Jan. 11, Harrington is requesting the court terminate or amend the protection orders.

 

Selectmen meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23 in the town hall.