Wording in a citizens' petition, calling for a moratorium on all "commercial use" buildings is too vague, according to the Maine Municipal Association, Edgecomb Selectman Stuart Smith reported to his fellow selectmen at their weekly meeting on Monday, May 12.

The wording on the petition is included in Article 39 on the town meeting warrant for Saturday, May 17. In an e-mail sent to Smith, the MMA says that due to the language of the petition, all that the Planning Board would need to do is find that the ordinances comply with the comprehensive plan, and vote down the article. Smith said that he is neither for nor against the moratorium, but as a Selectman he is concerned with enforcing it if it is voted in at the town meeting.

"I would rather not discuss it at all than have it pass and then have the Planning Board vote it down," said Selectman John Johnson. "It would be a PR nightmare and a slap in the face for those who really care about what's going on. It would be a very unfortunate situation."

Smith agreed that it would be unfortunate if that happened, but reiterated that he couldn't see how the article would be enforced due to the wording.

It was decided that he would read the letter from the MMA to voters at the town meeting. Johnson agreed, and said that the Planning Board needs to have time for public comment during their meetings. "A lot of people feel that they don't have a voice. I would urge whoever is the next chair to allow public comments. I think that all of this could have been avoided with some dialogue."

Selectmen discussed who would address concerns on various articles at the town meeting, and tabled a number of items for discussion until after the town meeting when the new selectman is sworn in.

The May 17 town meeting begins at 10 a.m. at the Edgecomb Eddy School. This will be the last meeting for Jo Cameron as selectman, who is stepping down after six years of serving the town. When the selectmen meet on Monday, May 19, she will "pass the baton" to the new selectman.