During their regular meeting Nov. 1, the Edgecomb Board of Selectman responded to questions over lingering concerns associated with the failed Davis Island development on Eddy Road. In pointed comments to the Board, Edgecomb resident Jarryl Larson accused the selectmen of conducting seven months of “secret meetings” on the 21-acre property that left the town with “a huge vacuum” of information Larson said.
“Your individual opinions on all these issues matter to us. Your silent voice in secret meetings does not do you well and does not help the town,” Larson said, reading from a prepared list of questions.
Larson told the Board “it was not clear whether the developer was the initiator and definer of the problem and solution or whether it’s solely the result of Board discussions.”
The much-maligned Davis Island, site of a failed resort style development by restaurateur Roger Bintliff, was offered to the town for $950,000 by the Savings Bank of Maine in a payment deferred, interest-free proposal. In a meeting with the Priority Group Oct 25, residents expressed concern over the purchase price indicating that any additional accumulation of debt would be unwise for the town.
The Board took Larson’s comments under advisement and said they will explore the issue in greater detail at an informational meeting to be determined at a later date.
“We are at an exploratory phase and continue to examine all scenarios. Ultimately it comes down to what the town wants,” said Selectman Jessica Chubbuck.
In other business, James Fitch, senior vice president of engineering firm Woodard and Curran, addressed the board on a “document development strategy” for a town controlled water district and sewer commission. Selectman Jack Sarmanian suggested the town activate its dormant utility committee and called the briefing by Fitch a “kickoff” to a very “important” process.
“This is to determine where we go from here and what we can eventually determine as an solution,” said Sarmanian.
At the end of the hour-long meeting, Edgecomb Fire Chief Roy Potter brought forth a request to the Board for $10,000 to purchase a 1992 Beck fire truck. Potter asked that the funds be taken from the town’s fire truck fund, indicating that it was “an excellent deal” as the type of vehicle was worth closer to “$70,000” he said.
The truck was offered to Edgecomb by the fire department of Verona, N.J., from whom the town had previously purchased equipment.
“The truck would be ready to respond to calls in two days and replace our existing engine Number 3 which has a leaky tank,” said Potter.
Acknowledging the purchase as a time sensitive matter, the selectmen made a tentative decision to grant Potter the funds but wanted a week to “fully absorb” the consequences said Selectman Jack Sarmanian. The Board is scheduled to meet next on Mon., Nov. 8.