Edgecomb selectmen and the owner of the municipal website’s domain name reached agreement on an acceptable price for transferring ownership to the town. On Jan. 4, Select Board Chairman Jack Sarmanian reported Stuart Smith agreed to transfer ownership of the domain name to the town for $1,196.

In recent conversations with Sarmanian and Planning Board Chairman Jack French, Smith agreed to transfer the domain name’s ownership to the town. Smith had previously submitted a $1,196 bill for four years’ worth of website costs.  

Smith calculated the website’s costs at $299 per year. He agreed to transfer ownership after he’s paid $1,196, according to Sarmanian and French.

The selectmen voted 3-0 Monday to draft a letter indicating an article would be placed on the May town meeting warrant requesting funding. But French indicated Smith wanted more of a commitment from the town. He spoke with Smith Monday afternoon prior to the selectmen’s meeting.

French reported Smith expected a promissory note binding the town to pay him $1,196 by July 2, and assume all financial responsibilities for the municipal website. French, who is a lawyer, drafted an agreement specifying Smith’s expectations and submitted it to the selectmen for approval.

“A warrant article isn’t going to satisfy him,” French said. “He is looking for a commitment from the town. He is willing to turn over the domain name now, and accept payment in July. I believe it’s an all or nothing proposition.”

The selectmen rejected signing the promissory note. The board believed Sarmanian’s letter was the best they could do.

“There is no way we can do that. We can’t assume all financial responsibility without voter approval,” said Selectman Jessica Chubbuck. “He (Smith) understands our limitations as a board. Any time I’ve spoken to him he’s been cordial and more than willing to help us with our website issues. I’m sure a letter will suffice.”

Smith began edgecomb.org in 1999 when he was a planning board member. He continued to operate the website and retained the domain name’s ownership from 2009-16 during his tenure as a selectman.

Smith lost his bid for a fourth term last May. He has not been reimbursed for the website operation since 2013, according to town officials. Last year, he submitted a bill for the past four years of operation.

Selectman Mike Smith asked the website committee for other alternatives if the town wasn’t able to reach agreement with Smith for the domain name. The committee favors retaining the domain name “edgecomb.org” because it provides continuity for the public and eliminates possible confusion.

“It may take five months for the public to find the new website in a Google search,” said website committee member Don Kroitzsh. “And it’s really not uncommon to sell a domain name, either.”

In other action, Budget Committee Chairman Nort Fowler presented a tentative meeting schedule. He proposed meeting twice each with the selectmen, school and fire departments. The first committee organizational meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 8. He also proposed the municipal departments adopt a standardized budget summaries format.

The selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19 in the municipal building.