As might have been expected, funding for the Wiscasset Public Library and access to a public boat launch dominated conversation during Edgecomb’s annual town meeting Saturday.
The two most talked about issues on this year’s warrant were $3000 being awarded to the Wiscasset Public Library, and a general agreement to proceed with public boat access, although there was considerable disagreement on the details of both articles.
Also during the four hour meeting, Edgecomb voters unanimously adopted a new comprehensive plan, supported a motion to increase general assistance funds, voted in favor of funding fire house repairs and an eventual new fire house, and rejected ordinances regarding roads and non-profit donation requests, the latter of which would have allowed budget committee members to set pre-determined caps on the amount of funds social service agencies could request from the town.
Wiscasset Library supporter Tom Boudin made two unsuccessful motions from the floor to try to increase Wiscasset Library funding, the first of which would have taken $1000 from Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library and given it to Wiscasset, and the second of which would have removed money from selectmen’s salaries in favor of library funding.
The first motion failed by a 23 to 37 vote. The second was disallowed by moderator Ervin Snyder.
Andy Burt spoke from the floor, pointing out that Edgecomb residents actually use three area libraries, Boothbay, Wiscasset and Skidompha Library in Damariscotta, and said she would like to see all three get funding, based on the amount of Edgecomb usage at each.
Regarding public boat access, Selectman John Johnson spoke against an article to designate $5000 from boat excise taxes to the Woodend Boat Access fund, stating that these taxes were needed for snow and ice removal.
Others spoke passionately about the need to secure public access for Edgecomb residents, although there was disagreement about how, when and where that should happen. Suggestions were made that the public access discussion should focus on the Fort Edgecomb site, at the current Eddy Marina, along the Shore Rd., and at various other points along the Sheepscot and Damariscotta Rivers.
In the end, the only decision made was to pass the article designating $5000 to the Woodend Fund.
Edgecomb voters also appropriated $166,400 for snow and ice removal, and $92,597 for the dump. To several nods of approval, resident Ken Schuler said, “I only wish the rest of our government ran as well as that dump.”
During Friday’s secret ballot voting, Edgecomb voters re-elected Selectman Stuart Smith with 101 votes to opponent Bruce Cameron’s 82, and with 158 votes apiece, elected new Planning Board members John French and Patricia Jeremiah, and voted in new School Board Member Thomas Steele-Malley.
Also during Friday’s voting, the School Budget Validation referendum passed 141 to 40.
