A $5.4 million budget, amendments to the waterfront ordinance, and a contested select board race await voters at Edgecomb’s annual town meeting by referendum on Saturday, May 20.
The recommended municipal budget totals $5,410,821, an increase of $509,268 or 10.38%. According to reports from the Edgecomb Budget Committee, inflation, supply chain issues, and personnel costs contribute to the budget increase. Federal and state funding relief that lowered last year’s budget does not offset costs this year, the committee said.
Under the proposed budget, general government costs total $202,050, an increase of $25,679 or 14.56%. This category includes town official salaries and town expenses.
Public safety totals $350,108, an increase of $71,547 or 25.68%. This line includes emergency management services, fire department expenses, and Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service.
Much of the increase is ambulance service, which was $17,000 last year and totals $58,925 this year. The ambulance service changed its cost allocation formula with its member towns in 2022.
Highways and bridges total $861,906, an increase of $55,736 or 6.91%.
Several municipal budget lines include American Rescue Plan Act funds to offset totals.
A separate warrant for the education budget recommended by the Edgecomb School Committee totals $3,432,354, an increase of $338,974 or 11%. The select board recommends a $3,416,165 figure.
The school committee’s report with its budget recommendations stated the proposed budget maintains increased staffing and maintain facilities.
Major increases are seen in system administration costs, up to $146,425, an increase of $50,934 or 53.3%, and facilities maintenance, up $79,193 or 42.4%.
Voters will also consider amendments to the town’s coastal waters ordinance. Amendments add definitions of a deeded right-of-way and of an Edgecomb resident.
Along with definition amendments, the ordinance revisions state the harbormaster has authority to control waterborne traffic and makes operating a vessel above posted speed limits or in a dangerous manner a violation of the ordinance. Riparian owners have priority for moorings adjacent to their property.
It also sets changes to mooring fees. Commercial permit fees are half of property owner and resident fees; non-resident permit fees are three times their fees. The harbor master will keep a list of mooring permits and revoke them after two consecutive years of no use without written permission.
Amendments also establish a waiting list for applications in the mooring field if they exceed availability and establishes a priority list for location assignment beginning with resident licensed commercial fishermen, residents, and property owners, in that order.
Ninety percent of the mooring field will be reserved for residents and property owners with a third reserved for owners of Sheepscot Harbour Village Resort Cottages.
In municipal elections, residents will see only one contested race, for a three-year term on the select board. Michael Maxim and Amy Winston run for the seat currently held by Francis Mague, who is not seeking reelection.
Heather Sinclair is seeking reelection unopposed to a three-year term on the Edgecomb School Committee. Road Commissioner Scott Griffin, Tax Collector Rebecca Brewer, and Town Clerk Claudia Coffin all run for reelection to one-year terms.
Jack French, incumbent planning board member, is running a write-in campaign for reelection to a three-year term.
The warrant and proposed ordinance revisions are available on the town website.
The Edgecomb annual town meeting by referendum will be held from 1-7 p.m. on Saturday, May 20 at the town hall.
