Lincoln County hopes to begin a photo mapping project that county officials say will make town planning and emergency operations a lot easier.

County Commissioner Sheridan Bond told the Dresden Selectmen July 16 that if enough towns want a higher definition type of photo mapping, known as Ortho-imaging, the county could save the towns a lot of money because the state would give the county a considerable discount.

The county already plans to go ahead with at least low resolution mapping. However, county officials recommend a middle level resolution option.

Before they move ahead with the estimated $84,000 project, they want 16 of the 19 towns in Lincoln County to support the higher quality imaging. If towns support the project, the cost will be divided among the towns in the form of a tax, calculated using assessed property values.

“We just want to make sure we have the backing of the towns because it's an expensive project,” he said.

The State Planning Office has selected Lincoln County as a testing area for Ortho-imaging, which County Planner Bob Faunce explained allows towns to meld their tax maps with the photos for greater accuracy and efficiency for planning boards.

“The county hasn’t put in any money until it gets input from the towns,” Bond said.

The highest definition of photo mapping would cost the county $519,000. The lowest definition photo mapping costs $37,000 for countywide purchase. Individual towns can opt to buy higher levels than the county, Bond said.

As an example, Bond extolled the merits of the project as a help in assisting someone who comes in with a subdivision plan. “The planning board will know exactly what this person is talking about,” he said.

The mapping will begin next spring.

Other businesses

The Dresden Selectmen approved $1,000 for the Dresden Historical Society’s work to clean up the 40 or more ancient cemeteries in town.

Although Joe Wiley, on behalf of the historical society, requested for $1,500 for the work, the board reduced the amount, in part because there is $4,000 in the budget for ancient cemetery maintenance.

Wiley said the society plans to use the funds to clean up the brush and the tombstones, particularly for the Green Point Cemetery, a priority for the local society, for which a crew from the Two Bridges Regional Jail has already done some of the work.

The board’s decision on the non-agenda item was followed by an agenda item about the Pownalborough Court House cemetery.

Board members approved $3,000 from the local ancient cemetery fund, provided the Lincoln County Historical Society matches it with $5,000.

For the first time, the Dresden Selectmen held its meeting at Pownalborough Hall. Chairman Phil Johnston announced future board meetings will be held there, including the next one on Monday, July 30, at 6 p.m.