By Kathy Onorato
Boothbay Town Manager Jim Chaousis attended the Edgecomb Board of Selectmen’s meeting Jan 27 and told selectmen preliminary discussions with Boothbay selectmen seem favorable for Edgecomb to share code enforcement services with Boothbay.
Edgecomb Selectmen (from left) Jessica Chubbuck and Stuart Smith discuss sharing code enforcement services with Boothbay Town Manager Jim Chaousis Jan. 27. (Kathy Onorato photo) |
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“There is enough traction for a second meeting,” Chaousis said. A joint meeting with the Edgecomb and Boothbay Boards of Selectmen is scheduled for Feb. 26 at the Boothbay town office beginning at 6 p.m.
“Boothbay has a lot to offer,” said Chaousis. According to Chaousis, Boothbay’s two full-time code enforcement officers are “young and ambitious” and could handle the additional work load, he said. The department has the technology and administration to be able to meet Edgecomb needs, Chaousis added. Edgecomb would also benefit from having coverage five days a week, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It is estimated the additional work will increase the workload of Boothbay’s Code Enforcement Office by 10 per cent.
“My only concern is cost,” said Edgecomb Selectman Jessica Chubbuck.
Chaousis told selectmen Edgecomb would likely spend the same amount they pay now, $5000, during the first year of the shared service. After the first year, the cost would be determined by utilization, Chaousis said.
Edgecomb Town Clerk Claudia Coffin raised a question of where the records would be kept. Chaousis said certainly records should be kept in the Boothbay office because that is where the CEOs work from. However, he assured Edgecomb officials copies could be provided to the town of Edgecomb.
“Whatever Edgecomb’s needs are, they could be met,” Chaousis said.
Because Edgecomb’s current CEO Marian Anderson fully supports the concept and wanted to make the transition as easy as possible for Edgecomb, she contacted the ICMA Range Rider program, which provides counsel to municipal managers for advice.
“The professional guidance advised that I ‘walk away’ – ‘retire’ from the position of CEO in the Town of Edgecomb,” Anderson wrote in a Jan. 22 letter to selectmen.
“I think this is a great opportunity for Edgecomb,” Anderson said in a phone interview Jan. 28. “I fully support finding ways to make things better.”
Anderson said she took Edgecomb’s Code Enforcement Officer, which was supposed to be temporary, four and a half years ago. She said she was happy to serve the town.
“I am a firm believer in giving back,” she said. “I know the town will be getting a better service.” She also said if things didn’t work out with Boothbay, she’d be willing to serve again.
A written request from Edgecomb Tax Collector Deb Boucher was read asking the board to consider the purchase the Trio software package at an initial cost of $5500 and a yearly cost of $1000. Selectman Stuart Smith said the request will be passed along to the budget committee for consideration in the next budget.
Smith and Chubbuck agreed the town should investigate enrolling in the Rapid Renewal program, which allows registration renewals to be done on-line. Both selectmen said they have received several requests from residents that would like to see the service offered in Edgecomb.
