Dear Editor:

The growing tax burden on small towns like Edgecomb is simply unsustainable. Schools, emergency response entities, and even the town management are all subjected to unfunded state and federal mandates with growing costs each year. Paying for these and other required services is challenging when shared among such a small population. It does not make financial sense to maintain a separate school, town management, a fire department, road services, and more when nearby larger towns clearly have the capacity to include Edgecomb. Supplementing the finances of whatever town we merge with would benefit that town.

At the same time, Edgecomb would save by not duplicating services that are not only readily available but in some cases are already being utilized. It is time to open the discussion of moving ahead with future sustainability in mind. We send a bus to Boothbay schools every day. Boothbay and other area fire departments respond to calls when Edgecomb FD needs assistance. Instead of paying for town hall renovations at this time, we should leave our emotions and territorialism behind and start taking an honest and responsible look at the potential benefits to all if a merger was to take place. 

Dawn Murray

Edgecomb