Merle Parise, a licensed forester, representing the Hanke family of Edgecomb, presented the selectmen with a request for damages on behalf of the family. The family owns land that abuts the town-owned Schmid Preserve.

In a letter to selectmen Parise said, Under the request of Susan (Hanke) Carfizzi, I conducted a walk over their parcel in Edgecomb. I discovered two areas that have timber harvested on them. It is my opinion that the activity originated from the Schmid Preserve Property owned by the town of Edgecomb.

The letter said when Parise met with members of the Schmid Preserve Advisory Committee they admitted that some of the trees that they had cut were on the Hanke property.

I have calculated the damages and filed a complaint with the Maine Forest Service, Parise said.

We are requesting triple damages, as is our right under Maine state law, Parise said. The damages are $2,653.

According to the letter there is a slash (an open tract in the forest, strewn with debris) on and along the property line that needs to be removed and there is damage to the access road. These items are not part of the financial damages. The slash is a violation of the Maine State Forest Fire law according to Parise.

We would like payment sooner rather than later, Parise told the selectman.

We will turn this information over to the Schmid Preserve Advisory Committee, and our attorney, Selectman John Eaton replied. Route 1 Corridor Study

The selectmen met with Amanda Russell of Edgecomb and Kim Mc- Cellar of Newcastle to discuss the Route 1 Corridor Study.

The selectmen indicated they are looking forward to a meeting with Department of Transportation Commissioner John Melrose and the area selectmen to discuss this issue.

New Use For School

An Edgecomb resident who lives near the Edgecomb Eddy School, Joan Spurgat, has offered to serve with a group to look into the reuse of the old school.

We want to be sure the building is utilized. Eaton said.

Several uses have been tossed around, including a town hall, fire station, historical museum, and others.

The selectmen had asked the school building committee several months ago to consider working on the project. It is unclear if they accepted the challenge

Spurgat suggested the old school become the Edgecomb Art Center. There are many artisans in Edgecomb and close by, Spurgat said.

The selectmen pointed out the State Board of Education had given the town $37,000 for the art program for the school.

I was thinking of the many adults in the area that could use it to display their talents, not just art, Spurgat said.

You may be hearing from us sooner than you think, Selectman Rodd Hopper said. Eagle Scout Ceremony

An Eagle Scout Ceremony for Edward Speed will be held Sunday, September 9, at 3 p.m. at the Edgecomb Town Hall.

Speed is the son of Lincoln and Martha Speed of Edgecomb. Next Selectmens Meeting

The next Edgecomb Selectmens meeting will be held Monday, September 10, at the town hall, 4 p.m.

The September 3, meeting is canceled due to the Labor Day holiday.