Edgecomb Fire Chief Roy Potter floated a new idea to selectmen March 25: How about seeking a right-of-way on some privately owned land near Lily Pond, and running an underground pipe from the pond to a would-be hydrant at the fire station?

It would give Edgecomb firefighters a closer water source for filling fire trucks, he said. The nearest hydrant now is on Eddy Road, about a mile   from the station, Potter said.

“We have limited water supplies here in town, and this would be a huge asset to have on the Route 27 corridor,” Potter told selectmen.

“That sounds like a very good idea,” Selectman Jack Sarmanian said. “We just need more data.”

Selectmen told Potter if he wants to pursue the idea, to get back to them with costs and other information on what would be involved, including any environmental impact.

Potter had not yet approached property owners.

Lily Pond is Edgecomb's only fresh water pond, according to the town's 2009 comprehensive plan.

The pipe to the fire station property would need to run a distance town officials roughly estimated at 200 yards.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or sjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.