The Edgecomb Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, and Code Enforcement Officer Marian Anderson met for a special meeting Jan. 5 to discuss measures for improving dialogue between the public and the three offices.
“We’ve been trying, but historically we’ve not worked well together on things,” Planning Board Chair Jack French said after the meeting. “We’re trying to get everyone on the same page.”
In Edgecomb, the Planning Board reviews and grants building permits. It is then up to the Board of Selectmen and the CEO to enforce the Planning Board’s ruling.
“We’re the sheriffs and you’re the judges,” Selectman Stuart Smith said. “Once you rule on something we’re there to enforce it.”
French said he frequently received calls from people asking the Planning Board to take action on things outside their jurisdiction.
Smith suggested the Planning Board should tell the Selectmen in detail what provisions they approved and what should be enforced.
To improve communication with the public, Planning Board member Jarryl Larson proposed that each office create a small written statement for the town website detailing their duties and responsibilities.
Issues over public communication arose when town resident Mike Smith criticized Anderson for not reviewing a neighboring property in a timely fashion.
Smith had asked Anderson to look into reports that the property owner in question had been burying junk in his yard.
After completing the site review, Anderson failed to notify Smith, creating a misunderstanding where Smith believed Anderson had not visited the property.
To avoid further miscommunication with the public and each other, Anderson, the Board of Selectmen, and the Planning Board agreed to meet quarterly to foster cooperation. Their next joint meeting will be held in April.
“The hope is going forward that we do things so we don’t get into loopholes and have misunderstandings that get us in trouble,” French said.