The Edgecomb selectmen discovered Monday night the cost for pursuing economic development along U.S. Route 1 is expensive. The selectmen met with Maine Department of Transportation officials who estimated replacing the maintenance lot would cost between $3 million and $4 million. The selectmen sought the meeting with DOT officials to gauge their interest in selling the five-plus-acre location. 

The selectmen view the property as being better suited for commercial use than coordinating the local area’s winter and summer road maintenance. Town officials believe the property’s worth is $525,000, based on a recent appraisal. The land is valued at $325,000 and the two buildings at $200,000, according to town records.

The selectmen met with MDOT Director of Maintenance Dale Doherty and Project Manager Jamie Andrews who discussed the process for selling state-owned properties. Doherty explained the Route 1 property had both “pluses and minuses.”

He explained the property was centrally located for responding to winter plowing needs and it was isolated so the DOT didn’t have any neighbors to bother or worry about stored salt contaminating any local wells.

The DOT officials explained the town would need to purchase the property at market value and provide the state with an alternative location which also met the state’s needs.

“We understand your desire for the property which is why we’re open to starting the discussion,” Doherty said. “The highway department has to get equal or greater value for the site. Our No. 1 priority is servicing our customers and the current location meets those needs.”

The selectmen viewed the meeting as the first step toward acquiring the property. Town officials will write a letter to DOT Region 2 Manager Mike Burns seeking more information about the process.

“This is more of a five- to 10-year process,” said Selectman Mike Smith. “We’re hoping the state makes a more generous offering in the future for the property.”

The town is also working with State Sen. Chris Johnson (D-Somerville) in seeking economic development funds to purchase the property.

The selectmen also questioned DOT officials about state funding for the Edgecomb Fire Station’s warning lights. In 2009, the town was in the midst of planning the new fire station when the DOT rejected a proposed curb cut near the station’s entrance to create greater visibility, 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. Potter told the selectmen seven years ago the DOT sent the town a letter promising financial support.

During the Sept. 26 board meeting, the DOT officials and Johnson reported the agency had no record of the letter. At recent board meetings, Potter reported the warning lights’ cost at $6,338.

In other action, the selectmen verbally agreed to a three-year contract with Scott Griffin for winter snow plowing. Griffin, the town’s road commissioner,  has plowed the roads off and on for 20 years. The agreement is for $234,500 per year to plow the 31 miles of municipal roads. The agreement also allows “cost-of-living” increases throughout the term. The board negotiated the terms with Griffin during an executive session. The contract’s language will be formalized and approved at the next meeting, according to Select Board Chairman Jack Sarmanian.

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