Edgecomb selectmen hope State Sen. Chris Johnson (D-Somerville) can solve some problems the town is having with the Maine Department of Transportation. The selectmen agreed to invite Johnson to a future board meeting to discuss concerns about providing emergency warning lights near the fire department’s entrance and location of the Department of Transportation’s facility on U.S. Route 1.

Johnson is being invited as part of an effort to discuss local issues with the town’s elected officials. County Commissioner Hamilton Meserve (R-Southport) attended a September selectmen’s meeting. And State Rep. Stephanie Hawke (R-Boothbay Harbor) attended a December meeting.

Town officials want Johnson to contact the DOT about providing two sets of warning lights notifying Route 27 traffic when emergency vehicles respond to a call. In 2009, the town was in the midst of planning the new fire station. Town officials proposed altering the curb cut near the station’s entrance to create more visibility, but the DOT prohibited the alteration, according to Fire Chief Roy Potter.

The town proceeded to Plan B which was installing flashing lights to warn motorists. According to Potter, even before the new station was built the state agreed to pay for the warning lights.

“The conversation I had with the DOT was since the curb cut wasn’t allowed the state would pay for the warning lights,” he said. “But my last conversation resulted in being told the state doesn’t pay for warning lights,” Potter said.

The new fire station was built in 2010. Potter said he has conversed with several DOT representatives over the years. The most recent conversation was this month when he called to check the status of the warning lights.

Town officials estimated the warning lights’ cost at $25,000. Selectman Jack Sarmanian believes the town should take more assertive action when county and state government renege on agreements.

“They have changed their intent. We need more pushback because it’s happening more and more,” he said.

The selectmen plan on inviting Johnson in late June or early July. The board also wants Johnson to address moving the DOT’s facility out of Edgecomb. Selectman Mike Smith said the facility is located on a prime piece of property for economic development.

“I don’t know if it will go anywhere, but it’s worth a try,” he said.

The selectmen also want another meeting with Meserve. The board is upset that the commissioners estimated the town’s county tax bill at a four percent increase, but the increase was actually eight percent. Edgecomb’s county tax bill went from approximately $275,000 to $283,000. The selectmen weren’t sure if the unexpected increase was due to a possible rise in the town’s property valuation. Sarmanian, who served on the County Budget Advisory Committee, said he was told the increase was due to union negotiated salaries and benefits.

In other action, the selectmen signed the updated Lincoln County Hazardous Mitigation Plan. Edgecomb Emergency Management Association director Bill Witzell described the plan as coordinating regional action among the 18 towns, one plantation and one organized territory with local, county, state and federal emergency workers. The adopted plan also qualifies the county for Federal Emergency Management Agency grants.

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