If you think you’re seeing more traffic along U.S. Route 1 and state Route 27 during the past two years, you’re right. Maine Department of Transportation State Traffic Engineer Steve Landry said traffic studies across Maine began showing an uptick all across the state in 2014.

“Traffic began decreasing in 2008 when the economy went south. But it rebounded in 2014, and this year, it increased another six or seven percent,” said Landry, who attended the Edgecomb selectmen’s Dec. 21 meeting.

The selectmen invited State Rep. Stephanie Hawke (R-Boothbay Harbor) to discuss local issues with the board and answer residents’ questions. She invited Landry to explain the state’s strategy regarding the traffic bottleneck on U.S. Route 1 and the department’s plan for handling increased traffic in the Boothbay region.

Selectman Mike Smith asked what the state had “up its sleeve” for increased traffic due to a projected increase of 100,000 visitors to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay over the next 12 years. Smith fears U.S. Route 1 and state Route 27 can’t handle the increased traffic.

Landry explained any changes would likely occur within two miles of the botanical garden’s entrance.

“The improvements are the botanical gardens’ responsibilities and they wouldn’t happen down here,” Landry said. “The required improvements are based on DEP’s (Department of Environmental Protection) site law development. A study would monitor trips during peak hours and a mitigation planned would be created.”

Landry also answered questions about how road maintenance projects made the state’s priority list. He explained that roads classified in corridors 1, 2 and 3 received the most attention.

“This is where the majority of traffic in the state occurs so they obviously received the most attention,” he said. “We only have so much money to go around. At a projected cost of $1 million per mile, we can’t get to all of the roads.”

Landry added that lower volume roads receive attention in regular intervals.

“We go out and smooth them over and seven years later we’re back to do it again,” Landry said.

In other action, the selectmen heard Schmid Preserve Chairman Bob Leone update the board about the River Link Trail and Lallis property projects.

The River Link Trail is a five-mile section from McKay Road to Dodge Point. The trustees are trying to extend the trail to the Zac Preserve. The River Link Trail is located on town-acquired property known as the “Lallis Property.”

The Schmid Preserve and Boothbay Region Land Trust are interested in a land swap. The Schmid Preserve would exchange the Lallis Property for the land trust-owned “Church Property.”

The proposed swap is in limbo because the Schmid Preserve discovered an old chicken house and shed on the Lallis property. The Schmid Preserve needs to remove the structures prior to any swap, according to Leone.

“That is one of the issues. The other is the Church property is valued higher than Lallis,” he said. “The deal isn’t dead. We may end up working out a conservation easement with the land trust on the Lallis property instead.”

The town is also waiting for the Schmid Preserve to establish a flag line on the Lallis property before surveying a section. In May, voters approved funds to survey a potion of the 74-acre parcel. The town hopes to sell the surveyed section.

“The town is waiting on us to establish a flag line for the trail, then it will be clearly visible to see the visual impact of any development,” Leone said.

The selectmen also heard from a third guest. The town’s Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal District representative Curt Crosby updated the board about the proposed $1,106,167 budget. The proposed budget represents a 3.43 increase or $36,750.

This is Crosby’s first year as Edgecomb’s district representative.

The refuse district will vote on the proposed budget in January. District Operations Manager Steve Lewis attributed the majority of the increase to the rise in tipping fees.

“Tipping fees are rising by $20,000 next year. That is a fixed cost we have absolutely no control over,” Lewis said.

The Edgecomb selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 4 in the municipal room.