In addition to approving grant funding for the historical society for industrial/archeological studies, Edgecomb selectmen discussed what is known about town as the “Jim Hall” properties during their regular board meeting Dec. 21.
A number of other issues came before the board that night, including the mention of a meeting with the Utility Committee and an appreciative nod to the Edgecomb Republican Club.
Board chair John Johnson said Susan Carlson of the Edgecomb Historical Society contacted the board to request approval for funds from the Maro Hammond Trust Fund. The society wants to conduct a study both on archeological and industrial sites in town.
Johnson said the study would include examining maps, town records and deeds in seeking out abandoned sites, such as brickyards, quarries, mines and shipyards. They will also document and photograph sites from the 1760s on.
He added the trust fund has sponsored two other society projects in the past: the Eddy School Historical Schools display and an inventory of historical structures, which Johnson said is on file at the Edgecomb Town Hall.
“I don’t think $900 (in requested funds) is a lot of money,” Johnson said, having also mentioned the trust fund has over $112,000 in its account. “I think this will be worthwhile.”
Selectmen also discussed properties on Davis Island, commonly referred to as the “Jim Hall properties,” that are not in the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. Units 601 through 605 in the Edgecomb development (property owned by developer Roger Bintliff) are included in the 2009 taxes applied to the property. Selectmen discussed whether the tax status would put these lots into the TIF district.
As described in the manual created by the Maine Dept. of Economic and Community Development, TIF is a tool municipalities can use to fund local projects by using all or a portion of new property taxes from a capital investment. Towns use future increased tax revenue to repay loans used to finance a project. This method of financing is a tool used by towns to generate development growth in certain areas.
Recently, a Maine court took over the Davis Island property next to the Davey Bridge and put it into receivership, which allows another firm to manage the property in order to recuperate money. Development company, Priority Group, LLC, has been designated as the receiver.
The properties under scrutiny by selectmen are not included in the Davis Island TIF district, they said. Selectman Stewart Smith wanted to clarify the properties would not go into a TIF when purchased by another party. Taxes for 2009 acquired on the five cabins when sold would not, therefore go into a TIF account, but into the town’s general fund, said Johnson.
Selectmen said they attended a Planning Board meeting last week, where they voted to present a building moratorium on Davis Island for six months. A previous moratorium was incorrectly written, they said, and has since been fixed. Jaryl Larson, who is on the Planning Board, said the six months is based on state law and the idea is to ensure positive development.
An auction is taking place on the Edgecomb Development property on Monday, Dec. 28. Selectmen said they planned to be there, adding they do not know who is going to buy it. Johnson said the representatives of Priority One development group are interested in learning what residents want to see happen with the property.
Other business
Selectmen collectively approved Johnson’s letter to be sent to the Edgecomb Republican’s Club for their efforts in providing toys to underprivileged children. They thanked Jessica Trevor and the club for their efforts in cooperation with the town of Damariscotta’s Holiday Wishes organization. Children will receive warm winter clothing and a full Christmas dinner with the help of local volunteers, Johnson said.
“Thank you for making our holidays a little better and more satisfying this year,” he said. “Everybody deserves a lot of credit. It’s just a wonderful thing.”
Later in the meeting, Trevor said the club helped out 11 families in the town of Edgecomb.
“It was wonderful,” she said. “Credit goes to the people in Edgecomb. It’s nice to see neighbors helping neighbors.”
Johnson said the “census people” are going to hold testing at the Edgecomb Town Hall on Jan. 4 and 25 at 6:15 p.m. The testing is for anyone who wishes to be a census taker, he said.
The Utility Committee met the other night and selectmen joined them. Ralph Lombardi, who has been a long-time member, is retiring at the age of 92, Johnson said. The town needs to decide by July 1, 2010 whether or not to create a utility district.
A three-trustee panel would handle district issues. Johnson said the only people who would pay for district costs would be the people who would be affected by it. District costs would not be town-wide, he said.
Johnson said they could put the question off for two more years, but they were discussing possibly addressing it by the due date or put it off. They will hold a meeting in January to further discuss the issue and the public is welcome to attend.
