During their regular meeting on March 28, the Edgecomb Board of Selectmen signed a contract with the Rockport-based Penobscot Company for construction of a new fire station.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Selectman Stuart Smith.
The town is funding the construction with $100,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and a $575,000 Maine Municipal Bond Bank loan. According to their website, the Penobscot Company has extensive experience in municipal construction projects including public facilities at Damariscotta Lake State Park in Jefferson and the South Bristol Town Office.
The new fire station will replace a rapidly aging building on Rt. 27 that has no running water and doesn’t meet minimum safety requirements mandated by the state. Members of the audience greeted the contract signing with polite applause and Edgecomb resident Jarryl Larson handed out muffins in celebration.
“I promised I would do this,” said Larsen clutching a box of store bought muffins.
Selectman Jack Sarmanian said construction would begin sometime in the spring. In other business, Selectman Smith proudly told residents of a new “boilerplate” roads ordinance.
“This is an enforceable roads ordinance,” said Smith. “It allows us to post roads and adds a little teeth to the posting.”
The ordinance will allow law enforcement officials to weigh vehicles and impose fines if a vehicle is over a posted weight. The ordinance, or lack thereof, was a key component of a long simmering feud between selectmen and Edgecomb resident Karen Smith who owns a gravel pit on Mt. Hunger Road. Town officials had objected to excavation efforts at the pit and the dispute has resulted in a lawsuit against the town by Smith.
The Edgecomb Board of Selectmen will next meet on April 4 at 6 p.m.
