Edgecomb eyes land purchase for fire station

It may have taken six years to find the right property, but Edgecomb Selectmen voted unanimously at this week's board meeting to attempt to purchase land that abuts the present fire station, giving the department room to grow and meet the town's needs in the 21 st century.

Fire Chief Barry Johnston was present with members from the Budget and Article 24 Committee. They were charged with finding the best land to purchase for expansion. Budget Committee Chairman Jack Sarmanian told the board that they had exhaustively explored every property that could meet their needs.

Some members of the committee and the selectmen showed interest in also building a new town hall or complex. "The fire station is our critical need," Selectmen Chairman Jo Cameron said. "A new town office at this time is pie in the sky."

Randy and Ellen Wanser own the nearly two-acre lot that is adjacent to the fire station. "This property would allow us to build a new station, give us room for training, and would offer us a 900 foot line of sight that is required along Route 27," Johnston said.

Johnston spoke with the owners who have verbally agreed to sell the town the property for $30,000. The town had approved $25,000 at last year's annual town meeting to purchase land that abuts the town hall to build a new station. It was agreed that the selectmen would have to bring the matter back to the town for approval to change the site of the purchase and to raise another $10,000 to fund the extra $5,000 and to cover fees of the sale.

The selectmen voted unanimously to follow that recommendation.

In other business, Bobbi Carleton presented the board with a letter signed by 19 residents of Fort Road and Davis Island, regarding the assisted living project proposed for development on property presently owned by Edgecomb Development LLC.

Steve Normand of Normand Associates is the architect for the project that, if approved, would allow developer Joe Betty to build a 54-unit facility on over six acres on the island, south of Route 1. Normand said that they reduced the number of units planned from 62 to 54 to add a larger buffer zone. An application is presently under review by the planning board.

The letter outlines the objections of residents in the area. "Our major concern is the impact the proposed development will have on our wells, and therefore, our collective and individual water supply."

The letter suggests that recent construction on the island has already hurt the water supply on the island, saying that the construction already done on the island has already affected the wells.

In support of that theory, the letter describes houses that have lost their water supply for several days or had their wells turn brackish. In addition, the fire pond that is located across from Fort Edgecomb has dried up for the first time in at least 60 years, according to residents that have lived on the island for that length of time.

"In other words, something is already happening to the water supply on Davis Island," the letter proposes. They assert that the change in the topography in such a fragile area is the cause of this disruption.

They continue by saying that the assisted living center will worsen their situation due to blasting, more clearing of trees, and continued change in the natural flow of water on the island; an island that relies on rain for their drinking water.

The letter asks that town officials consider the town ordinance that is listed under the Site Plan Review Standards and General Provisions, 3.1.7, which stresses that the town must "balance the right of land owners to use their land… with the corresponding right of abutting and neighboring land owners to live without undue disturbance from noise, smoke, fumes, dust, odor, glare, traffic, or storm-water run-off, or the pollution of ground or surface water resource."

The letter asks the planning board to require a hydrologist to provide a study of the impact of the development on the groundwater on Davis Island prior to granting final approval to the application.

The selectmen agreed to enter the letter into the minutes of their meeting, and the letter will be presented to the planning board at their next meeting.

In a telephone conversation following the meeting, Normand commented on a letter that was sent to Chairman Katherine Braid and the Planning Board from the Department of Economic and Community Development. The letter praises the town of Edgecomb for efforts to work with developers to bring "economic opportunities while maintaining the charm and quality of the region."

The letter also praises the Edgecomb Development Group, saying, "It is dedicated to position Edgecomb to lead the future of the entire region." Commissioner John Richardson continues to say that Roger Bintliff has been "remarkably consistent with the principles of sprawling-preventing… and the demands of the community to maintain a high quality of life."

He asserts that the senior housing project will be built with the same commitment to the community as other developments have been.

Selectman Stuart Smith responded to the Davis Island letter by saying, "I'm afraid that the damage is done to Davis Island." He questioned what remedy could be implemented to lessen the effects of development on the homes on Fort Road that could be made uninhabitable if their water systems fail.

"Maybe we can change our thinking about where water and sewer lines are going," Smith said, raising the option of bringing water and sewer to the homes on Fort Road.

The selectmen also met with the Broadband Internet Committee. The committee has worked intensively with Connect ME, a program dedicated to helping rural communities upgrade their Internet systems. They have awarded a $50,000 grant to Mid-Coast Internet to upgrade the town's wireless service. There is a 45-day waiting period before the money will be awarded, during which the town must decide if they want to accept the grant and the services of Mid-Coast Internet. Owner Jason Philbrook will meet with the board prior to the town's decision.

In a later conversation Smith said, "If someone should come forward and offer to provide the same level of service for less money, their proposal would most likely be accepted. Smith also said that a company could offer to wire the town at their expense, allowing them to operate in the town.

Selectman John Johnson made a motion to disband the present committee at this time. He noted that they have worked tirelessly on this initiative but there have been some disagreements among the members on the committee.

Cameron seconded the motion and it was passed with Smith abstaining because of his membership on the committee. Johnson said that they may organize another committee with many of the former members who want to stay involved if the need is apparent.

The selectmen broke from their meeting to join the planning board for their monthly workshop on ordinance review. The selectmen had been asked to join the board to discuss the blasting ordinance.

Braid said the ordinance has "concurrent jurisdiction" shared by the planning board and the selectmen. She recommends that they consult with Attorney John Shumadine for legal advice on how to revise the language that at present is somewhat vague. The selectmen agreed with that decision.