meeting of the Edgecomb Selectmen, a member of the public questioned the decision of planning board chair Katharine Braid to change what she was quoted as saying in the minutes of the previous meeting.

At the June 2 meeting of the Edgecomb Selectmen, a member of the public questioned the decision of planning board chair Katharine Braid to change what she was quoted as saying in the minutes of the previous meeting.

Stott Carleton said that he had read the planning board's minutes, and was concerned by item 3.b -Clarifications - which contained the following statement: "Katharine asked that the last two sentences in the first paragraph be replaced with, "Katharine Braid added that the board cannot deny an application because the board disagrees with the land use policies reflected in the ordinance and that she personally was not prepared to substitute her personal opinion for the professional opinions of the attorneys and hydrologists who were employed for their expertise."

"I don't think you can do that," Selectman John Johnson said, regarding whether people can change in the minutes what they said at a meeting.

"I just wanted clarification" said Carleton, "since I'm not allowed to ask at a planning board meeting."

Bobbi Carleton, who was also present at the selectmen's meeting, asked "What can you do when you can't ask them any questions regarding their procedure?"

Midway through their meeting, the Selectmen adjourned and went upstairs in the Town Hall to speak with planning board members who were also meeting. After clarifying with Selectman Chair Stuart Smith the budget for the planning board is $2,500 for legal fees and $4,050 for other expenses, Smith told planning board members that "Public comments should be allowed during planning board meetings."

Smith said that public comment would go a long way to help with public relations for the committee and could be structured with time limits or other restrictions so that people don't get carried away.

Johnson said "The perception is that the planning board is a closed shop. We have had people come downstairs crying because they felt so insulted that they were not allowed to speak." Johnson also addressed the issue of Chairman Braid changing the minutes.

Braid responded by saying that you can add clarifications in the minutes of the next meeting, as long as the minutes where the statement was made remain unchanged. David Bouchard who will be taking Braid's place as chair at the end of her term, confirmed that as long as the statements made at a previous meeting are not struck from the minutes, members are allowed to make clarifications in the following meeting's minutes.

Bouchard also said that he agreed that people should be heard at meetings, but that the planning board cannot base decisions based on people's personal opinions.

Before adjourning and meeting with the planning board, the selectmen spoke with Roger Bintliff regarding the recently approved assisted living facility on Davis Island. Selectman Jack Sarmanian, said that they had invited Bintliff to come speak with the selectmen regarding the location of the facility and whether or not it could be moved to a different location. Sarmanian said that a lot of people were very concerned about the present approved location.

Smith asked Bintliff what it would take to move the location to the other side of Route 1. Bintliff said that water and sewer would need to be run to the location before a move could be considered.

Smith said that if the building were moved, it would help alleviate the tax burden for the townspeople, and would eliminate the need to blast the top off of the hill where the facility is planned for now.

Johnson asked Bintliff if he was taking the project over. Bintliff said that he could if he needed to, but it was a very hot button issue as the current developer experienced severe financial strain with the legal costs accrued while getting approval from the town.

Johnson went on to say, "We want to do good things that are proactive and beneficial for everyone."

Bintliff said that he was happy to have increased dialogue with selectmen regarding his projects, but was very leery since the town had changed its mind so often in the past. He said that he had preliminary plans for a general store and culinary arts school and would really like to work with the town to encourage positive growth along the Route 1 on Davis Island.

Bintliff agreed to research the feasibility of moving the location of the site across the road, if the town is can bring sewer and water to that location.

The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m. after the selectmen met with the planning board. The next selectmen's meeting will be on Monday, June 9 at 5:30 p.m. Selectmen will be meeting with the engineering firm of Woodward & Curran to discuss the town's water and sewer facilities, and have also invited the sewer committee to join them.