Edgecomb will resubmit its grant application to the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission after hearing some tips from the commission’s executive committee. LCRPC Chairman Stuart Smith met with Edgecomb selectmen March 27 to discuss how to improve $2,000 grant request.

The selectmen requested funds for surveying the Lallis property on the upper part of McKay Road. The town has owned the 82-acre, tax-acquired property since 2002. The town is looking to spend $2,400 to have the property surveyed. Then the town will subdivide the property hoping to sell two to six parcels.

This is the first time Edgecomb has sought a LCRPC grant. Smith, an Edgecomb resident and former selectman, advised town officials on improving their application. Smith advised selectmen against mentioning the town’s desire to sell the property to reduce the tax burden. He also encouraged them to emphasize the town’s in-kind contributions. Smith said the Schmid Preserve Committee’s work should be included as a major contributor to the property’s value by  creating a trail system along the property. He characterized the trail as being valuable to both the town and county.

The Schmid Preserve Committee is developing a trail  connecting Newcastle to Boothbay. According to town officials, the seven-mile trail would be the longest one in Lincoln County and among the largest in the state.

“Emphasize the positive impacts to the town and entire county by talking about the trail system,” Smith said. “The Schmid Committee has done a lot of work which could easily account for thousands of dollars of in-kind contributions. The application should focus more on economic stimulus and bringing people to live and relocate businesses here.”

The LCRPC received seven grant applications. Edgecomb and Nobleboro were first-time applicants. Smith said the commission would approve five or six of the applications.

“You will likely get funded, but not for the full $2,000. The committee liked your application and wanted to give you an opportunity to modify it as first-time applicants,” he said.

The selectmen thanked Smith for his recommendations and said they would resubmit their request. The LCRPC will vote April 18 on funding grant applications and award grants during a ceremony April 25, Smith said.

In other action, selectmen voted 3-0 to support State Rep. Stephanie Hawke’s bill changing how the county budget is approved. Selectmen voted to send Hawke written notification supporting LD 972, “An Act to Modify the Lincoln County Budget Committee.”

Hawke sponsored the bill based on former legislator and 38-year South Bristol Selectman Chester Rice’s recommendation. Rice has served as on the county budget advisory and been among a growing number of critics about a steadily increasing county budget.

Rice wants Lincoln County to adopt the same measure as 11 other counties. He wants the county budget advisory committee, not commissioners, to have final say in the process. Hawke will present the Edgecomb selectmen’s endorsement to the legislature’s State and Local Government Committee.

The selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, April 10 in the municipal building.