``Can we talk?" Edgecomb selectmen say ``yes"

The Edgecomb selectmen may have planned to spend most of their Monday night meeting reviewing the town's accounts with Town Auditor Fred Brewer, but they delayed their financial review to the end of the evening, expanding the public comment period for residents who attended.

Stott Carleton addressed the board and those present with a description of a recent breakfast meeting at the Statehouse in Augusta, with lawmakers, focused on the subject of environmental protection

He passed along some weighty kudos to the First Selectmen who also attended. "Jo Cameron gave the best speech I have ever heard. No-one has ever done it more eloquently," Carleton said. He paraphrased her comments saying she asked Mainers to wake up and come together or risk being run over and giving up life in Maine the way it has been and should be.

Carleton questioned the information in the January 24 edition of the Wiscasset Newspaper that said that construction had begun on the Point East Marina at the old Mason Station in Wiscasset. The article referred to quotes made by Project Manager Scott Houldin in a press release that the company will be offering slips in the 2008 summer season.

Carleton said that it would take about 500 pilings to build a 239-slip marina. "There is nothing going on over there. This is a bait and switch," he said. "I believe Prock Marine was hired to get the old turbines out of the station," he added, referring to the possible sale of the turbine engines, which once generated electricity. (See related story by Charlotte Boynton.)

"We have to get back to the word trust," Carleton said. "No one trusted me the first day I started lobstering, and it has taken me ten years to earn the trust of my peers." Carleton suggested that people in the area mistrust the promises made by representatives of Point East.

Carleton also raised issues about the Work Force Housing complex now under construction on Davis Island, and statements that were made by a member of the planning board that trees that would not be cut.

"None of those trees are still standing," Carleton said.

"Development is going to happen, but it has to happen responsibly or our kids and grandchildren will pay the price," he said. He ended by urging the selectmen to continue to work towards communicating with neighboring towns and thanked them for their efforts to protect the town's expressed wish in a recent survey to remain rural.

"Everyone living in Edgecomb chose it for its rural way of life," he said.

Bobbi Carleton then asked the selectmen if they could develop a committee to work on ordinance changes. She questioned Town Planner Byron Johnson's approach to his position and how he is using his time.

Because Selectman Johnson was not involved in hiring the Town Planner, he joined Bobbie Carleton in this concern. "What are his marching orders?" he asked.

The remaining selectmen said that they had expected he would help the planning board in processing applications, and he would work on clarifying town ordinances.

Selectman Johnson recommended having Byron Johnson meet with the board to discuss their interpretation of how he will spend his work time.

Lynne Gilley Orne, Republican candidate for Lincoln County Commissioner, addressed the selectmen and also joined the planning board workshop that was being held in the town hall that evening.

Orne said that she had been attending the commissioner's meetings for the past three years to learn their responsibilities and capabilities.

"I would like to help bridge the gap between county and municipal government," Orne said. "I would like to see more people involved in local government to express their views. I also believe that the commissioners need to be seen more."

Orne is a selectman in the town of Southport. "I hope to encourage residents to bring their issues forward, and I would like to be a strong voice for them in Augusta."

Adding her voice to the public comments of the evening was town resident Samantha McGow.

McGow brought a written statement to the Planning Board meeting and to the selectmen with questions about whether all necessary applications for permit reviews had been submitted by "Bintliff Development or workforce housing regarding runoff and the impact of shellfish." McGow also questioned whether other environmental benchmarks had been met in existing developments and proposed plans.

Planning Board Chairman Katherine Braid would not allow McGow to read the statement into the record, saying that public comment is not allowed at their working meetings. She encouraged McGow to bring her questions that relate to the assisted living complex, proposed to be built on Davis Island, to the upcoming public hearing to be scheduled when DEP reports have been completed.

The selectmen allowed McGow to read her statement and questions into the record. She had contacted several environmental officials. Selectman Johnson said he was impressed with her efforts, and the board will review her questions.