Meeting with the Edgecomb Board of Selectmen Aug. 13, Fire Chief Roy Potter updated the board during a discussion about an issue with an abutting property owner to the town’s new fire station.
Abutters to the town’s fire station property have claimed their property value has decreased with the fire department as a neighbor, and the town previously agreed to place a fence and rose shrubbery for barriers.
According to Chief Potter the fencing was designed to also be a light buffer for the adjacent property owners, but fencing was installed incorrectly, and is being rectified.
“We’ve got the fence up, and we’ve talked to the Barters about what will make them happy,” Potter said.
Potter estimated the price to complete the fencing, including lattice work, at $1400, adding that doesn’t include the “10 rosebushes in between the banks,” Potter said.
Potter said the department is “ready to move forward” on the project, but also said, “I know that there is a question as to where we are going to get the money. That’s the big thing.”
Select Board Chairman Stuart Smith said the town would look into other resources, possibly the Hammond Fund. “I’d say we make sure we can do it,” Smith said.
Noting the fund balance would be checked with the town clerk, Smith said the trustees of the fund basically appointed the Edgecomb Board of Selectmen to act as trustees. “That’s my take,” Smith said, “and hopefully, next meeting we’ll know” if there are funds available.
Selectman Jessica Chubbuck said she hoped the property owners would be happy with the town’s efforts, saying originally, the property owners were “afraid building the new station next to their property would decrease their property value. Originally, the fence was to give privacy.”
The discussion turned to fence maintenance, with Potter saying it was built of hemlock, but that lattice work planned “doesn’t last as long. That’s the whole question – who is going to be taking responsibility [for the maintenance]?” Potter asked.
“I’m assuming it will be us,” Smith said.
Chubbuck said, “I’m really not comfortable saddling the town with that, or the fire company.”
“Honestly, the fire department is done with the fence. We don’t have the time to be out there painting a fence. We barely have enough members and time; and, I don’t know if that is what the neighbors are asking us to do,” Potter said.
Smith said the fence is on town property and said, “the fire department are custodians, and need to let us know,” about maintenance needs.
Chubbuck said she rejected the argument of decreased property value, “if anything, we’ve helped the property value.”
Potter said the homeowners have been patient and the town has contacted the homeowners. “I’m just trying to make it right,” Potter said.
Potter’s final report concerned Engine 3, which is in for repairs. “If everything goes well, hopefully, we’ll have it for the weekend,” he said.
In mid-July during a training exercise, Engine 3 sustained damage due to gravel from a fire hydrant entering the engine, damaging the impeller, a main component of the truck’s pump.
The Lincoln County News attempted to contact the Brent Barter residence for a comment on the story, but was unable to by press time.
