Developers, residents and planning board members engaged in an at times heated discussion at the Edgecomb Town Hall Monday night regarding the proposed assisted living facility on Davis Island.

The facility, which will contain 54 apartments, and possibly a beauty salon and bowling alley for residents, has a footprint of 22,560 square feet. However, the total square footage, due to multiple stories, equals 56,934 square feet, well over Edgecomb's recent size cap for retail stores.

With not a seat left in the house, the meeting began at 6:30 p.m. with a brief overview from Planning Board Chair Katherine Braid regarding procedure. Braid then introduced architect Steven Normand, landscape architect Peter Beagle and geologist Steve Pinette who presented on behalf of developer Joe Bettey. They outlined the proposed site on various maps, and explained changes that had been made to the plans in order to reduce runoff into a nearby pond on the island.

Numerous Edgecomb residents voiced their apprehension over the ambiguity of the classification of the building, and whether it would set a precedent in the future for development of large retail buildings. Resident Bobbi Carleton said that town ordinances clearly state a retail space cannot exceed 36,000 square feet, and after extensive research she concluded that the proposed facility falls into the category of a commercial/retail space, since anyone could purchase a unit and receive services.

Normand explained that it is his opinion that the facility would lean more towards an institution and less towards commercial.

Several residents also expressed concern about the fate of the building if this venture is unsuccessful - could it then be used as retail space?

Again Normand responded for the developer, saying that assisted living and elder care were services that are severely needed, especially in Maine, and that the need for these types of facilities will only increase over time.

Wildlife disruption and runoff from the proposed site were other oft repeated themes. Resident Donald Hutchins asked if proper DEP permits had been obtained, and also whether pine trees which house blue herons would be disturbed or damaged. Peter Biegel, Landscape Architect for the developers, said that the storm water runoff has been reviewed by DEP, and although some trees will be removed, disturbance to surrounding trees would be as minimal as possible.

Edgecomb resident Samantha McGow said that she had "obtained a map from the DEP showing that the proposed area was within a waterfowl habitat," and asked if they had addressed the potential impact on this habitat, since some runoff would be draining into Cod Cove.

Thomas Saucier, engineer with SYTDesign Consultants, responded that "run off would be filtered through a sand filtration system." He explained that cisterns underneath the property are designed to capture and filter the first inch of runoff during a rainstorm, which is considered the dirtiest. McGow also said that she had spoken with the Department of Marine Resources and learned that they had not been contacted about the facilities potential impact on shellfish. Saucier said that they had preformed necessary wildlife inventory and surveys, and determined that wildlife would not be disturbed as a result of this project. He noted that they worked with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and had proper permits from the DEP.

When the question of jobs and salaries was raised by one resident, developer Tom Bettey outlined numerous positions that would be created including CNA's, groundskeepers, administrators, and housekeeping staff, all with salaries within range of other local facilities. Because of the nature of the business, i.e. varying shifts and employment opportunities based on the number of residents, he was unable to provide exact numbers.

The potential cost of increased ambulance service was addressed both by residents and planning board members. One resident asked, "Will the facility be providing ambulance services or would that be something covered by the town?"

Bettey said that occasionally town services would be used, but most often private ambulance services would be utilized. Edgecomb Selectman Stuart Smith noted that "currently Edgecomb residents rely on either Wiscasset or CLC ambulance service, which is paid for by the person transported and not the town."

Planning board member David Boucher asked selectmen John Johnson, "Would the town even remotely have responsibility to provide an ambulance?"

Johnson replied, "Some towns have had to provide services to some facilities, but it is difficult to predict if we would have to do that, and what costs would be."

Residents asked what the next step would be after the conclusion of the meeting, and if a vote would go to the town.

Braid said, "The decision regarding the two applications filed, one for the subdivision and one for the site plan, will be made by the planning board and will not go to the town for a vote." Board members also noted that if the plan is approved, developers would still need to obtain additional permits from the selectmen and code enforcement officer.