Acting on information from Edgecomb Eddy School Principal Ira Michaud, selectmen voted Sept. 9 to authorize the sale of two Edgecomb Eddy school buses that are not roadworthy.

According to an email from Michaud, options included a junkyard that would buy the old buses at $500 each but cleaning and delivering the vehicles “would have provided too small a reward for the time and effort.”

Instead, Michaud informed selectmen that school transportation director Dave Benner found a junkyard in Freeport that would pay approximately $700 per bus without requiring “more hours of labor than the buses are worth.”

Selectmen approved the sale. “If that’s their best option, they have our permission to pursue it,” said Mike Smith.

The board approved hiring Edgecomb native Samantha Hinman for $1,000 to design and provide photography for the town’s brochure. Hinman is an experienced designer and the town’s brochure committee supported her selection to work on the project funded by a $2,000 ASK grant from Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission. The grant is for the design and printing of brochures which help the town with its 2019-20 economic development goals.   

Discussion of the brochure raised the question of a public meeting so residents can vote to accept the grant. Town Clerk Claudia Coffin suggested calling a meeting to tell residents about the brochure and take a straw vote. The formal vote would take place at the May 2020 town meeting and, in the interim, the town could use monies from the signage fund.

Selectman Jack Sarmanian provided a copy of a letter asking Maine Department of Transportation to conduct a speed review on Middle Road in hopes of a reduced speed limit. Smith asked, “Would the state permit us to put a ‘suggested speed’ sign on town roads?”

Selectman Ted Hugger reported he had received a call from Boothbay Town Manager Dan Bryer about the possibility of coordinating activities for the state’s 200th anniversary with other towns on the peninsula. The selectmen expressed an interest in pursuing the discussion with Bryer.

Edgecomb Fire Department reported 15 calls in August. These were five motor vehicle accidents, eight calls for medical assistance, one call for electrical wires downed by a tree and one call for a residential fire alarm test.

The board meets next at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23 at the town office.