The Edgecomb Budget Committee is seeking two missing pieces of information prior to making its final recommendation to selectmen. Chairman Jack Brennan reported the committee lacks a figure for municipal ambulance services and, from the school committee, a better definition of revenue-related services.

Brennan told selectmen March 26, he expects a response from Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service regarding a quote. The town is considering two options for ambulance services.

The other is retaining Wiscasset Ambulance Service at a higher cost than this year’s. In FY 18, Edgecomb paid $3,000. Wiscasset hasn’t quoted Edgecomb a figure for the next fiscal year, but municipal officials expect a significant increase.

Edgecomb contacted CLC Ambulance Service for a quote, but hasn’t received a response. “The ambulance is the biggest holdup. But I expect it to happen quickly. Warren (Waltz) is expected to get back to me and discuss response times,” Brennan said.

The town expects Wiscasset officials will also provide information shortly. Brennan expects once all the information is received and the town receives state notification of education and transportation subsidies, the municipal budget will increase about 3 percent.

Local fire department officials also wanted to know if a new fire truck would be on the May town meeting warrant. Department officials want to replace two aging vehicles with a 2018 Fast Attack Vehicle. The new truck is equipped with a Ford F-550 chassis and could replace the 1981 rescue vehicle and 1983 pumper truck.

Porter explained the 1981 vehicle responds to all emergency calls, but the new truck could perform both functions of the rescue vehicle and pumper truck. Selectmen Mike Smith and Ted Hugger agreed the department made a good case, but they weren’t sure the town could afford it. The cost is $247,670. Fire Chief Roy Potter reported the department is seeking a grant to assist in the financing.

“I think it’s worthy of being on the warrant, but it’s a big expenditure so I think you might want to have a Plan B, just in case,” Hugger said.

Funding the fire station’s new sidewalk and driveway isn’t as complicated. The board proposed using tax increment financing for repairs. When the fire station was built, it was included in the TIF district for the precise reason of funding infrastructure repairs.

The TIF is designed by state lawmakers to capture increased revenue created by property improvements. The developer retains 55 percent of increased revenue and 45 percent is for infrastructure repairs. “That’s precisely why the fire station was included in the TIF for projects like this,” Smith said.

In other action, Smith and Hugger agreed the warrant should include an article on how boat excise tax is assigned. Selectmen want boat owners to designate whether their registration fees go into the Woodend Fund or into the waterfront committee budget.

Selectmen also want to resurrect the municipal board of appeals. The board hasn’t met in over five years. The board has five members serving staggered three-year terms. Two alternates also need appointment.

Selectmen discussed Code Enforcement Officer Stan Waltz’s recent inspection of Glidden Oyster Company’s bait shack turned rental cabin on River Road. Waltz reported the owner needed to submit a change of use application to the planning board. If the board denies the application, the owner could appeal.

Smith offered to contact a couple past members of the appeals board to see if they wanted to be reappointed. He and Hugger would also assemble a list of names for possible appointment.

Selectmen will host a public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday, April 2 in the municipal building to answer residents’ questions about the proposed budget.