Could Edgecomb sign on with Boothbay for code enforcement?

Not this year, but maybe next, Edgecomb Selectman Stuart Smith said March 18.

Smith, Boothbay Town Manager Jim Chaousis and Boothbay Selectmen’s Chairman Chuck Cunningham have spoken about code enforcement and other potential joint efforts, such as lining up contractors for some roadwork, Smith said.

An inter-local deal with Boothbay for code enforcement would probably cost Edgecomb more than the $5,000 a year it’s been paying Edgecomb Code Enforcement Officer Marian Anderson, Smith told fellow selectmen and members of Edgecomb’s budget committee.

However, the change could mean faster service on code matters in Edgecomb, he said. Boothbay could probably respond sooner than Anderson, the town manager of Richmond, is sometimes able to do, Smith said.

“She’s done a great job with the time that she has,” Smith said after Monday night’s meeting.

During the meeting, he mentioned the inter-local agreement idea as participants discussed possible  1 percent pay hikes for certain town officials this year, including the code enforcement officer. That would raise the position’s pay to $5,050. Budget committee members have not set any of the figures they’ll recommend to voters at the annual town meeting in May.

There wouldn’t be time to propose a change in code enforcement services this year, but it could be something to consider for 2014, Smith said.

“That might make a lot of sense,” Budget Committee Chairman Nort Fowler said. Neither he nor other committee members commented further.

The idea of the two towns working together in new areas came about as a result of the towns’ involvement in the St. Andrews Task Force, Smith said.

“We’ve bounced some ideas around,” Cunningham said March 19. The code enforcement idea has gone no further than that, he said.

“Having the task force has opened up our eyes to other ways we might be able to work together,” Cunningham said.

Asked if he would support an arrangement with Edgecomb on code enforcement, Cunningham said, “I’d have to see exactly what they’d like for services.”

Chaousis could not immediately be reached for comment.

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