Three Edgecomb firefighters will soon travel to West Alexandria, Ohio in pursuit of a new brush truck for the department. The Edgecomb selectmen approved the department’s request for purchasing the used 1998 Ford F-350 for $30,000 contingent upon the truck passing inspection.

The fire department’s truck committee has searched for several weeks for a replacement for its 1998 Ford brush truck purchased five years ago. Potter described the current truck as “no longer usable.” The brush truck’s main task is making the Schmid Preserve accessible for emergency vehicles. The current truck has a litany of problems. Among those are a rotted frame and an overheating engine, according to Potter. At first, the committee considered replacing the truck’s chassis, but the mid-$20,000 cost was prohibitive, according to Potter.

The search eventually yielded a more economical option. The committee discovered West Alexandria, Ohio’s used brush truck. The 18-year-old vehicle has only traveled 9,800 miles.

“That’s why we want to act so fast on this,” Potter said. “It has a diesel engine which should help us with the idling. We shopped around with the intent of putting a new body on an old truck, but found this one.”

Potter will call the West Alexandria Fire Department this week to schedule an inspection visit. If the vehicle passes, the firefighters would leave a deposit with the seller and return home with the truck. Then West Alexandria would submit an invoice for the remainder, according to Selectman Jack Sarmanian.

Comprehensive plan

The selectmen also heard a report on the town’s progress regarding the 2009 Comprehensive Plan. The town was supposed to review the plan on a yearly basis, but this was the first time, according to town officials.

In recent months, the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee reassembled to study the town’s progress. Committee Chairman Sue Carlson reported the town succeeded in revamping the land use ordinances.

The planning board completed a land use ordinance revision this month and will conduct a March 31 public hearing on the proposed changes. The town has also made progress on preserving the natural resources by re-activating the Conservation Commission.

The Comprehensive Plan Review Committee also reported the town hadn’t made progress regarding a restructuring of town government. The 2009 plan calls for hiring a town manager and code enforcement officer. Edgecomb doesn’t have a town manager and shares a code enforcement officer with Wiscasset.

“The change in municipal government isn’t something that would happen in the short term,” said Selectman Jack Sarmanian. “That takes a lot of long-term planning, at least 5-10 years, before we’re able to consider making changes like that.”

The selectmen also granted the Schmid Preserve trustees’ request to explore starting an endowment. Member Lisa McSwain requested board approval to seek legal advice about creating an endowment.

“We want to start a small one,” said McSwain. “We could accept bequests from people who want to leave us a little bit of money. We could become more self-sufficient, and not have to ask the taxpayers for money.”

The selectmen voted 3-0 to allow McSwain to contact the Maine Municipal Association’s legal services for advice.

The board also re-appointed Bob Leone as town constable for one year and as a Schmid Preserve trustee for a three-year term.

The selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 11 in the municipal building.