Edgecomb Selectmen discuss assisted living facility proposal

The Edgecomb selectmen spent some time during their weekly meeting Monday, July 23, to discuss the assisted living facility being proposed at the site of "Mostly Maine," on Route 1, on Davis Island, and the use of the Tax Increment Financing revenue (TIF).

The discussion was the result of a question asked by Steve Normand, of Normand Associates, at the June 26 selectmen's meeting, when he asked, "How can we get public sewer and water to that site?"

Normand was told the only way to get water to the site for the assisting living facility would be to have a pumping station installed at the corner of the Eddy Road and Route 1. The cost of that could be anywhere from $150,000 to $300,000.

Then the question came up as to how that could be financed without putting the burden on the taxpayers. It was suggested by Selectman Jo Cameron, because the site is in the TIF district, perhaps it could be paid for from the revenues created from the TIF.

The revenues from the TIF at the end of 2007 is expected to be around $50,000. However, at that time the selectmen were uncertain how they could spend the TIF revenues. The town could receive close to a million dollars in revenues from the TIF revenues over the life of the district which is a maximum of 30 years, according to Smith.

Selectman Stuart Smith told the board at Monday evening's meeting he had contacted the state and the town could use the revenues for professional services within the TIF district as well as infrastructure within the district.

"That is good news," Selectman John Johnson said. "We can use the money to have a study done on the extension of lines to support the assisted living facility." However, no decision was made by the selectmen to go forward with any studies at this time.

The cost of extending the sewer and water is estimated to cost a million dollars per mile.

Normand presented a "sketch plan" of the project to the planning board at their meeting, Thursday, July 19.

The proposal includes building a three story building with 62 units, 55 one-bedroom units, and seven two-bedroom units, on 4.7 acres of land, in back of "Mostly Maine."

According to the plan, the Mostly Maine building would become the administration building for the facility.

The planning board advised Normand that the plan requires the facility to have public sewer and water, and when he can meet that requirement to present a formal application to the planning board, until then it is out of the hands of the planning, according to Chairman Katharine Braid.

The selectmen approved the transfer of the Woods End Boat Landing funds from the Gardiner Savings Institute to Wachovia.

The purpose of the transfer is allow the principal in account to earn more interest in investments.

Wachovia handles the town's Hammond Trust Account, and according to the selectmen, that account does very well with their guidance.

The selectmen received an e-mail from Edgecomb School Board Chairman Stephen Ward telling them that the new Regional School Units (RSU) have until July 1, 2009 to begin existence and each municipality will have to approve the consolidation plan for the RSU it is joining.

The selectmen were under the impression that a special town meeting would be needed in January 2008 for the school consolidation.

"The January 2008 date for Edgecomb special town meeting will only be needed if our new RSU plans to be in business as of July 1, 2008." Ward said in the e-mail to the selectmen.

"At this point in the consolidation discussions it is too soon to say whether Edgecomb will be ready to vote by January 2008 or if this will be at some point after that. I estimate it will be well into the fall before we reach that decision," Ward said.

Edgecomb voters will be asked to raise an additional $30,000, to be added to the $110,000 approved at the annual town meeting, for the town's snowplow contract for the 2007-2008 winter season, at the special town meeting Thursday, July 26, at the town hall, beginning at 7 p.m.

Other articles include $18,750 for local road maintenance; $12,750 for paving and tarring local roads; and $20,000 for work on the end of Cross Point Road.

Other money articles include: $3,000 to purchase markers for the town's mooring fields; and $45,000 as the town's commitment for broadband internet service.

The voters will also decided on amending the town's sewer ordinance to allow liens on delinquent sewer bills, and amend the wording in the blasting ordinance.