Selectman Jo Cameron said Edgecomb has received copies of letters from seven of the nine towns in the consortium rejecting Adelphia's latest proposal. The consortium, has been meeting since 1999 to negotiate a new cable agreement. The nine towns in the consortium include Alna, Edgecomb, Dresden, Westport Island, Waldoboro, Damariscotta, Bristol, Nobleboro, and Newcastle.

The consortium decided to "give a preliminary denial" effective September 12.

Cameron said Adelphia's proposal was so unsatisfactory that the consortium had to deny it.

"One big issue is what constitutes coverage. Adelphia is very reluctant to spread themselves over a rural area," she said.

High speed internet service was also not included in the contract, she said.

Wiscasset was originally part of the consortium, but pulled out soon after Andrew Gilmore, the town's first economic developer, was hired. At the time, Wiscasset's withdrawal caused considerable criticism from some of the consortium representatives.

Gilmore hired attorney Pat Scully from the Bernstein Shur law firm to represent Wiscasset. Last month Wiscasset selectmen approved a new contract with Adelphia which provides Wiscasset with high speed cable internet access beginning in December and a number of improvements in the service, including the capability to do live programming. Tax Cap Meetings

In other business, the selectmen learned that statewide informational meetings on the Palesky Tax Cap Initiative's effect on Maine towns and cities are planned by the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) starting September 7.

The association has scheduled 15 meetings starting with the first meeting at the Skowhegan Opera House. The closest meeting to Edgecomb is at the Woolwich Central School on September 21.

"The Palesky Proposal rolls back assessed property values by almost a decade, allows for very minor interim adjustments for construction and sales, and imposes a property tax cap of 1%, or 10 mills, on the rolled back value" according to the association's website.The question will be decided by voters on November 2.

The meetings will run from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. and will introduce the association's political action committee, a group formed to fight the proposal. Representatives from the association will also share information and answer questions about the proposal and its impact on local schools and governments.

The final meeting will be at the Waldo town office on September 30.

The selectmen agreed to make a donation of $150 to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter in Edgecomb in remembrance of Stan Coffin, who passed away recently.

The selectmen had asked the family about a donation and they were given the choice of the shelter or the Fishermen's Memorial Scholarship fund.

Selectman Rodd Hopper said the shelter benefits the whole town by rounding up and caring for stray dogs. Meeting Change

The selectmen will not meet on September 6 due to Labor Day. They will meet the next day on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the town office.