No fooling, on April 1, Edgecomb will have a new code enforcement officer and licensed plumbing inspector. Selectmen voted 2-0 on March 12 to hire Ken Vinal of Bremen.

Vinal replaces Stan Waltz, Wiscasset’s CEO/LPI. Edgecomb contracted with Wiscasset since 2015 to share Waltz’s services. But Wiscasset officials notified Edgecomb selectmen recently the arrangement would end when the contract expires June 30. Edgecomb has paid Wiscasset $8,800 per year to share the position.

“This is something we’ve known for a while that Stan had a very demanding work schedule so we started looking a year ago for a replacement,” said Selectman Mike Smith.

About a year ago, selectmen met Vinal who has 21 years’ experience as a carpenter and six years as a CEO/LPI. Smith spoke with Vinal who currently serves as CEO/LPI for Newcastle and Jefferson.

“We were looking to become less dependent on Stan because of his challenging schedule,” Smith said. “All three selectmen spoke to him, and we thought if something comes up, (Vinal would) be good for us.”

Last month, Wiscasset notified selectmen they no longer wanted to share Waltz beyond this fiscal year. Once Vinal agreed to become Edgecomb’s new CEO/LPI, Wiscasset allowed Edgecomb to end the contract three months early.

Selectman Ted Hugger described Vinal as a “competent and professional” CEO/LPI. “He is committed to doing research and requiring documentation for his decisions. He also tries finding solutions to difficult situations,” he said.

The board hired Vinal for a 15-month term. He will earn $9,200.

In other action, municipal officials said they won’t know until April 2 if they will contract with Wiscasset’s ambulance service. Selectmen are waiting for their counterparts in Wiscasset to propose terms for a new two-year agreement. Last year, Edgecomb contracted with Wiscasset for $3,000 for municipal ambulance services.

Edgecomb officials expect Wiscasset to propose a higher fee for future service. “I haven’t heard from them, but based on what I read in the newspaper, it looks like a two-year agreement. The first year would cost $6,500 and year two would be $7,000. That’s only if Wiscasset continues with their ambulance service,” Smith said.

The selectman alluded to another option facing Wiscasset leaders in which they end their ambulance service and contract with Central Lincoln County Ambulance Service. Edgecomb has entered into preliminary negotiations with CLC Ambulance representatives. Hugger, Fire Chief Roy Potter and other fire department officers met with CLC Ambulance directors March 5.

“The potential deal with Wiscasset would also require the town to assume any unpaid bills from our citizens. That was around $16,000 to $19,000 last year, so that is something we’d have to potentially budget for,” Smith said.

Selectmen voted 2-0 to use $750 from the Woodend Fund to refurbish 10 deacon benches located in the town hall’s upstairs meeting room.

The selectmen will meet next at 6 p.m. Monday, March 19 in the municipal building.