A bird of a different feather … and environs arrived in the Boothbay region as 2022 began, and a tragic end to a 3-year-old girl’s life ended the year. In between was a whole lot of news regarding a waterfront park, high-speed internet, a possible school rebuild and much more.
Here are some highlights from each month.
January
Perhaps the most globally rare bird to have appeared in Maine is the one that is all over the news recently: Steller’s sea eagle. This is a massive eagle with a white, wedge-shaped tail, white wing patches on the brown body and an orangey-yellow bill. People are traveling hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of miles to the Boothbay region to see one of the world’s rarest birds. The bird is typically found in Siberia, but also has regular sightings in Japan, China and Korea – then it was gone. At the time of this writing, the bird had not been reported since Jan. 24, when it was back in Boothbay Harbor and on Southport Island after a few days over at Pemaquid Harbor.
Boothbay Harbor selectmen reviewed the housing portion of the 2015 comprehensive plan Dec. 28. Selectman Alyssa Allen spearheaded the review, the last in a series ahead of first steps to build a new comp plan.
The Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District building exploratory committee connected around 30 teachers, students, parents and community members over Zoom Jan. 6 for an educational visioning session. The workshop was the first of three to be held that month to give the CSD direction for its buildings, campus and educational programming.
In 2020, Boothbay received a $250,000 matching federal Land and Water Grant to renovate Clifford Park Playground. Local businessman Paul Coulombe volunteered to contribute the town’s $250,000 required match. Town Manager Dan Bryer advised selectmen Jan. 12, the price tag is now closer to $1.75 to $2 million. Additional ADA-compliant equipment and tactile boards increased the project’s cost. However, Bryer assured selectmen the project wouldn’t cost taxpayers anything. “Paul’s ready to kick in the rest,” he said.
Maine Center for Disease Control categorized Boothbay Region High School as having an outbreak Jan. 12. Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98 Superintendent Robert Kahler made the announcement in a letter to the public Jan. 13 and notified Community School District committee members Jan. 12. He said COVID-19, other illnesses and excessive absences have contributed to the status. The CDC opens outbreak investigations once a school has reported 15% or more absences in a single day, said Kahler.
Boothbay Harbor homeowners Joseph and Jill Doyle appealed a Sept. 8 planning board decision to Lincoln County Superior Court Jan. 26. This follows a town board of appeals denial of a request to reverse abutter Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation’s site plan revision for an existing structure, a splash pad, on its 65 Atlantic Ave. property.
February
Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD Committee Chair Stephanie Hawke suggested to fellow members Feb. 9, the CSD should remove its mask mandate. Hawke said CSD students and staff should also now have the option whether or not to mask. “It seems foolish that the school really is the only place on the peninsula that has a mask requirement … so, I think it’s time. We’re talking about mental health, we’re talking about the kids and how they’re struggling right now and I think getting back to some normal would be a big thing.”
Selectmen are hoping to set more defined guidelines for Boothbay Common use. For decades, non-profit groups have raised money on the public land with activities such as craft fairs, barbecues and lobster bakes. In recent years, for-profit groups, like Boothbay Farmers Market, have used the spot. But selectmen have also granted approval for two for-profit groups which charged admission.
When Tim Lewis handed over the keys to Mid-Town Motel on Feb. 11, he said good-bye to his family’s business of 66 years. The new owners, Brian “Buzz” Makarewicz and Mark Osborn, are neighbors and fellow hoteliers who own Topside Inn which shares a border with Lewis’ property and home so the business Lewis nurtured for decades will still be in view.
The footbridge project will have to move forward without plans expanding the width of the bridge, selectmen learned Feb. 28. Civil engineer Will Gartley of Gartley and Dorsky is working on permitting requirements for the footbridge project and recently discovered the town’s land use code does not support a one-foot sideward expansion as favored by the board, said Town Manager Julia Latter.
Boothbay Region Seahawk senior basketball players Jaelyn Crocker and Lucas Hardwick were named to the 2022 Class C/D South Maine McDonald’s High School teams on Wednesday, Feb. 23.
March
Boothbay Region High School technology integrator Abby Manahan resigned effective April 28 to become Regional School Unit (RSU) 13’s first Distance Learning Coordinator. “I really thought I’d be here longer and really wanted to be here longer,” she said. “But I see kind of an unsettling pattern of a lack of regard for the human resources we have inside our buildings. There seems to be a lack of respect and of empathy.”
Southport resident Paul Zalucky is working to create pathways for refugees fleeing Ukraine. “We are now in the process of just trying to help the families that are there. I still have family in western Ukraine. They’ve moved out of the city and basically settled into an area which they think will hopefully remain outside the sphere of Russian bombs and missiles. We’ve had some friends who are also business partners (and) we’ve also helped them get their families out to Warsaw.”
Gavin Carlson, BRHS boys basketball manager for the past four years, received the 2022 Patrick Thibodeau and John Titus Spirit of the Game Award, presented by Maine Association of Basketball Coaches.
Three Southport residents believe a $2.1 million price tag is too expensive to expand high-speed internet town-wide. Celeste Brown requested selectmen hold a public meeting to discuss the broadband project’s progress. She was joined by Tom Myette and Doug Jones, who shared her views.
In what might be getting to be a habit, the Boothbay Region High School math team repeated as the first place team in the small school division of the Central Maine Math League (CMML) during the final conference meet of the 2021-2022 season at Cony High School in Augusta on Wednesday, March 9.
On March 8, ownership of Boothbay Harbor’s Meadow Mall transferred from Ellis Commercial Development Leasing & Management of Hermon to Main Street Parks of Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
Southport has received a $1.5 million bank loan from First National Bank to finance the town’s municipal broadband expansion project. On March 30, selectmen signed the loan agreement with The First representatives Nicci Kimball and Alyssa Allen during the board’s weekly meeting. The town received a 3.69% interest rate for 15 years.
Southport selectmen will soon review two petitions demanding referendum votes to reverse current broadband expansion spending.
The Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District Building Exploratory Committee reviewed four concepts for the CSD campus March 30. Lavallee Brensinger architects presented changes ranging from additions and renovations to a new BRHS building and major Boothbay Region Elementary School and campus overhaul.
April
Boothbay Harbor resident Ed Tibbetts, 65, was killed in St. Augustine, Florida the morning of April 2. Tibbetts and wife Kathy, 63, were crossing the A1A highway on foot near The Reef restaurant when they were hit by a van driven by a 17-year-old male from Warsaw, Indiana.
Lincoln County taxpayers will pay more for county services this year. On April 5, the three commissioners approved an $11,754,515 tax commitment for 2022 which reflects a 7.4% increase. County officials reduced the final commitment figure by using $300,000 from surplus and discontinuing overlay.
The central office, technology team and Boothbay Region Education Association worked together recently to create new job descriptions for the tech team. The team consists of AOS 98 Technology Director Brynne Roseberry, BRES tech integrator Zachary Gray and outgoing BRHS tech integrator Abby Manahan.
The fire at Christine Sproul’s house, 40 Sproul Lane, Boothbay on Friday afternoon, April 22, reignited early Saturday morning and destroyed the house.
Longtime owners of Boothbay Region Greenhouses, Bob and Kitty Boyd, are planning on retiring. The business and property have been on the market, but, contrary to the rumors, it has not yet been sold. March 29, 2022 marks 40 years since the Boyds bought the business.
Lavallee Brensinger (LBPA) architects presented three updated concepts for the CSD campus plan April 27. The Building Exploratory Committee is approaching the end of the concepts phase before moving on to schematic design and sustainability goals. LBPA Project Manager Joe Britton said the new concepts were designed based on feedback from the March BEC meeting.
May
Boothbay Harbor voters passed nearly all of the May 7 warrant which included a $5,149,910 budget. The budget did not include Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD or Lincoln County portions. Selectboard Chair Mike Tomko and Selectman Alyssa Allen were re-elected with 119 and 138 votes respectively; Ronnie Campbell, BB-BBH Community School District trustee, 156 votes; Peggy Splaine, CSD School Committee, 137 votes; Patty Minerich, BB-BBH Cemetery District trustee, 123 votes; Merritt Blakeslee, BB-BBH Water District trustee, 147 votes; and Daryl Kipp, Boothbay Harbor Sewer District trustee, 160 votes.
Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD approved an $11,057,515 budget May 3. The decision followed several weeks of budget reviews which cut about $300,000 from the original draft $11,366,816. In efforts to keep both towns’ tax commitments to 0%, the committee allocated $1,025,000 from unassigned funds, $400,000 more than the 2021-2022 budget and $200,000 more than the original draft.
Members of Charles E. Sherman American Legion Post 36 have elected Newcastle’s Robin Ford Commander of the 145-member post beginning in June. She was unopposed in voting at the Legion Hall May 9. Ford has recently been serving as 2nd Vice Commander and will become the first female Commander of Post 36.
BRHS teacher Ben Powell told committee members May 10, the school’s network issues continue to disrupt teaching and learning. The issues are not nearly as mild as suggested in prior meetings and committee members should not be walking away from meetings thinking the situation is normal and descriptions of the network exaggerated, said Powell.
Boothbay Harbor Fire Chief Nick Upham described Beach Cove Waterfront Inn as a “total loss” following a Monday night, May 23 fire. Boothbay Harbor was helped by seven other departments in battling the blaze on Lakeview Road. Once firefighters arrived, they fought the initial blaze for over two hours in bringing it under control. Shannon Moss, public information officer for Maine Department of Public Safety, reported May 24 that, due to the extent of the damage, investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office were unable to determine the cause of the fire. The earliest fire reported was seen in the area of the structure which housed the water heaters for the inn.
June
A couple of Georgetown University field hockey players are operating Carousel Marina and Whale’s Tale Pub. On June 3, former owner Jack Cogswell sold his business to the van der Veen family of Philadelphia who have lived seasonally on Linekin Bay for 20 years. Jax van der Veen, 23, is operating the marina and sister Emma Rose, 19, is preparing Whale’s Tale Pub for an expected June 19 opening.
BRHS freshman first singles tennis player Laura Chapman capped an undefeated season with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Claire Dwyer but the Seahawks lost their quarterfinal tournament match at Maranacook, 4-1, on Thursday, June 2.
“Congratulations to Kayden Ames, Class C state champion in the discus (throwing) a personal record … with a distance of 143’11”,” said BRHS track coach Nick Scott about the June 4 state meet. “It is also interesting to note that Kayden’s throwing coach, (his) mom (Angel), was also a former state champion in the same event.”
Thirty-eight members of the BRHS Class of 2022 graduated on a beautiful day June 10 at an hour-long ceremony on Sherman Field. Class valedictorian is Emerson Harris and salutatorian is Grace Campbell.
In a special town meeting referendum vote June 28, Southport voters rejected a municipally owned fiber optic broadband network. “I’m disappointed by the vote. I thought our proposal had merit in moving forward, but the people didn’t agree,” Selectman Gerry Gamage said.
Boothbay natives Chelsea Simmons and fiance John Hepburn opened their new Route 27 Edgecomb business Midcoast Childcare June 6. The center continues a tradition of childcare started as Ocean Point Childcare in the couple’s East Boothbay home in 2018.
The 60th Windjammer Days Festival was in full glory June 26 through July 2 with fantastic weather, a multitude of events, and the region chock full of visitors to take in the sights and sounds of Boothbay Harbor’s biggest spectacle.
Boothbay Harbor property owners Tom Myette and Chandler Wright prevailed June 28 in an appeal to Maine Supreme Judicial Court concerning the town’s handling of a new structure at the abutting Harbor Crossing property at 14 Todd Ave. The ruling vacates Lincoln County Superior Court’s August 2021 judgment affirming Boothbay Harbor Board of Appeals’ decision that Code Enforcement Officer Geoff Smith was within his right to lift a stop-work order for Harbor Crossing’s construction of a new building.
Adam Smart, 43, retired in June from USCG Boothbay Harbor after serving as officer-in-charge for four years. Smart’s desire to stay in the region is one of the reasons he stepped down from the post.
July
After 13 years as an assistant principal, Tom Landberg has a school of his own. Landberg, 46, of Durham is the new Edgecomb Eddy School principal. Landberg succeeds Dr. Christina Boursaw who served for one year.
Lavallee Brensinger architects presented a campus development work review and building tour to community members July 14 in the first of three meetings over the next month. The CSD Building Exploratory Committee has been working for about two years to develop plans to update Boothbay Region Elementary and High schools by simple renovations or a full renovation of BRES and the rebuilding of BRHS.
Joseph and Jill Doyle stayed their Lincoln County Superior Court appeal against Boothbay Harbor concerning abutter Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation. The action, which deals with a Sept. 8, 2021 site plan amendment, happened months ago as the board of appeals awaits a remand decision from the planning board on the Doyles’ appeal for BHWP’s park and marina permit issued Nov. 17, 2021. BHWP was scheduled to appear before the planning board July 13 for testimony supporting the project and the board’s approval. However, BHWP withdrew from the meeting July 12 saying shoreland zoning criteria were reviewed in the Oct. 14, 2020 site plan approval and that the Nov. 17 permit may not have been necessary.
Cod Cove Inn has a new owner. On July 1, Scott Larson of Southport was part of a group that became the Route 27 inn’s new owner. For nine years, Ted and Jill Hugger owned the Edgecomb inn.
On Saturday, July 16, about 500 people came out to Boothbay Region Land Trust’s Oak Point Farm for its Field & Forest Family Fun Day, the highlight of which was the grand opening of the land trust’s new natural playground.
St. Andrews Village resident Paul Adams, 97, received the Boston Post Cane award July 22 from Boothbay Harbor. Selectboard Chair Mike Tomko was joined by Town Manager Julia Latter and Town Clerk Michelle Farnham to present the 113-year-old award to Adams.
The 48th Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club (BHYC) Regatta and Shipyard Cup Classics Challenge fleets provided a breathtaking scene Saturday, July 23 as over 60 classic and modern racing boats sailed under clear blue skies across Boothbay to their starting lines.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (CMBG) announced July 19 that it contributed $41.9 million to Maine’s economic growth in 2021, citing a new study by Stepwise Data Research. This includes more than $15.2 million in total earnings and 490 direct and indirect jobs. Within Lincoln County alone, CMBG supported $24.5 million in business output, $8.8 million in total earnings, and 310 total jobs.
The Building Exploratory Committee unanimously approved Lavallee Brensinger architects’ move on to schematic design for the two-phase campus development project July 27. Architect Joe Britton laid out the scope in detail for the two phases, pricing them at $76 million and $30.5 million respectively. The phases were designed to spread work and cost out over time, but in a way that the second phase could be pursued later or abandoned altogether, Britton explained.
August
Ryan Smith, 39, was appointed officer-in-charge of USCG Boothbay Harbor last month after the retirement of Adam Smart. Smith has been in the Coast Guard for almost 20 years and is coming off a job as operations manager at the South Portland station. This will be his first command job.
Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD trustees discussed updates Aug. 2 about the ongoing campus development planning. Boothbay Harbor resident Lauri Perkins said confidence in the project will only improve if trustees can robustly endorse whatever plan goes to referendum. While trustees said they are hearing neither support for nor opposition to the project, Perkins said the general feel from those she has talked to is that “nobody wants this.”
With donations still rolling in, organizers of the fundraiser for Maine Lobstermen’s Association at Brady’s restaurant in Boothbay Harbor on Sunday, Aug. 7 report that over $50,000 has been raised. Donations to MLA’s “Save Maine Lobstermen” campaign can be made at www.savemainelobstermen.org, via VENMO @SaveMaineLobstermen, or by mailing a check to MLA, 2 Storer St., Suite 203, Kennebunk, ME 04043.
The Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor select boards agreed to proceed toward repeal and replacement of the school charter over a two-year span. Both towns agreed the best plan was submitting several “minor” changes already agreed upon to the Maine Legislature. Among minor changes slated for legislative approval in 2023 are replacing a town meeting-style budget meeting with a referendum vote and requiring monthly municipal school payments instead of annual ones.
Boothbay Region Ambulance Service (BRAS) is extending tremendous gratitude to Paul and Giselaine Coulombe who have agreed to jumpstart a fundraising campaign with a generous matching donation up to $175,000. BRAS is running the matching fund challenge from Aug. 15 to Feb. 12, 2023.
Selectmen accepted Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Bob Hasch’s resignation Aug. 23. It is effective Nov. 4 and he will stay on as a reserve officer and to transition the department’s new chief, said Latter. Hasch has served on the department for over 28 years. In his resignation letter, Hasch said he has reached a point in his life where change is due. He thanked the town for the privilege to work with the many fine people from the community for so long. “I can only hope that my body of work is viewed as reflective of the very strong feelings I have for this wonderful community,” Hasch wrote. “It has been an absolute honor to serve, I gave you everything I had.”
Edgecomb selectmen are considering hiring a temporary administrative assistant to help fulfill a Maine Freedom of Access Act request. River Road resident Timothy Harrington has made four FOAA requests pertaining to planning board documents dating back as far as 1972. During the Aug. 22 selectmen’s meeting, Chairman Dawn Murray updated selectmen Ted Hugger and Mike Smith. In the email correspondence with Harrington, “I told him we have received his requests and he will receive a response in a timely manner,” she said.
After seven years and several million dollars of work at Boothbay Harbor Shipyard, the Ernestina-Morrissey dipped its keel into Harbor waters Aug. 29. The historic ship, set to launch in early afternoon, drew hundreds of onlookers to hop aboard, take pictures and speak to Bristol Marine workers before the access stairs were removed and the ship prepared to launch.
Six local residents spoke in favor of removing fluoride from the public water supply at a Boothbay public hearing Aug. 24. Voters in Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport will decide on Election Day whether Boothbay Region Water District will continue adding fluoride into the drinking water. Boothbay residents Julie Roberts, Eve Jamieson, Jon Lewis, Stevie Hale and Skip McPhee were joined by Boothbay Harbor resident Anna Christina Rogers who all supported a “No” on the Nov. 8 local ballot question.
For 10 years, Boothbay Sea and Science Center has taught students about marine ecosystems at its Ocean Point Road location. The program had 120 students this summer, and could have been even larger, according to Board President Pauline Dion. BSSC has entered into a purchase-and-sale agreement with the Carter family to buy 1.33 acres of shorefront property at 12 Carter Road in East Boothbay.
September
Boothbay Harbor Code Enforcement Officer Geoff Smith issued a notice of violation Sept. 6 to Boothbay Harbor Waterfront Preservation concerning its Eastside Waterfront Park at 65 Atlantic Ave. The notice listed unfinished permanent stabilization of exposed ground area, structures built outside approved project scope and work within the special flood hazard area without the appropriate permit.
At Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, preparations are underway for the eighth annual Gardens Aglow. This year, the seasonal celebration returns to its roots as a walking tour with a new, reimagined design.
Boothbay Harbor selectmen and Town Manager Julia Latter presented the 2021 and 2022 Spirit of America awards Sept. 8 at Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club. Board Chair Mike Tomko gave introductions and Latter gave two short speeches and handed out the 2021 award to George and Nancy McEvoy and the 2022 award to Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club.
In the first year, the Boothbay Harbor Tuna Challenge reached the 60-boat capacity, weighed in 44 fish, and put 19,520 pounds into the economy; 21 local businesses sponsored or donated items. The proceeds from the live auction and the raffle solely benefited the Fishermen’s Memorial. The total amount donated to the Memorial Fund was about $20,000. The first, second, and third place boats were all captained by young, working waterfront families who are from Maine and raise their families in Maine; $57,500 was given in prize money for places first through fifth. Robert Fifield of Saco landed the largest tuna, a 725-pound catch. Fifield’s was the last boat to land a fish in the tournament.
Boothbay selectmen gave two “big thumbs-up” Sept. 14 to a proposal geared toward alleviating the region’s workforce housing shortage. Selectmen voted unanimously to provide $50,000 from municipal American Rescue Plan Act funds and write a letter supporting Boothbay Region Development Corporation’s effort to seek additional grants and funding.
“This is incredible,” said Boothbay Charities Classic co-chairmen Brenda Blackman and Tony Krason about the great turnout of participants in BCC’s second annual Boothbay Cornhole Classic on Sept. 17. “Last year we had 22 teams and this year, 70 teams competed,” said Blackman. When all was said and done – with the tournament registrations, sponsorships, auctions silent and live, raffle drawings, food and beverage concessions – Blackman said just over $50,000 was raised for Special Olympics Maine, the charity the BCC has supported since 1990.
Washburn & Doughty’s employee housing project received planning board approval Sept. 21. The Boothbay Planning Board voted 4-0 in approving an application submitted by Tarquin Holdings, LLC of East Boothbay to convert a Church Street house into employee housing. The proposal creates four to six private bedrooms with a common kitchen and living space.
October
The Sunday afternoon, Oct. 9 fire which destroyed the Vi Lee home on Beath Road, Boothbay Harbor started in the attached garage portion of the house, according to Boothbay Harbor Fire Chief Nick Upham. The cause of the fire was undetermined by the state fire marshal, Upham said later in the week.
Jaelyn Crocker, a 2022 BRHS graduate, was chosen as the female Student Athlete of the Year at the annual Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame banquet held Oct. 8 in Rockland.
The night was for celebrating success and moving forward and the approximately 125 members and guests of Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner meeting and awards did just that Oct. 13. Held at Boothbay Railway Village Museum, the event featured a brief membership meeting in the Village church, followed by a cocktail hour in the antique car building, and dinner and award presentations in the former Boothbay Town Hall.
Boothbay and Wiscasset “Seawolves” cross country teams dominated at the Mountain Valley Conference Class C championship Oct. 15. The girls team took the championship for the second time in Seahawks history, the first being in 2015, and the first time for the Wolverines. The boys team fell 14 points short of first place, claimed by Winthrop.
The newspapers of Maine-OK Enterprises, Boothbay Register, Wiscasset Newspaper and Pen Bay Pilot, won 20 awards at the annual Maine Press Association Better Newspaper Contest at MPA’s fall conference held Saturday, Oct. 22 in Bar Harbor.
Bob and Kitty Boyd will be moving on after 40 years owning and running Boothbay Region Greenhouses. After closing the business on Oct. 29, the Boyds said they expect about six months of paperwork which they plan to work on when not enjoying themselves this winter on Islamorada in the Florida Keys.
What started as a request for municipal records is now heading to court. Edgecomb Selectmen Dawn Murray, Ted Hugger and Mike Smith along with Code Enforcement Officer George Chase are seeking a yearlong protection order against resident Timothy Harrington. During the Oct. 13 board meeting, Murray updated selectmen on their request for a protection order. This is not Harrington’s first time butting heads with another resident. Murray reported Alan Whitman recently sought a protection order against Harrington.
The hustle and bustle of Wright Ryan workers and their equipment was nowhere to be seen or heard on Saturday morning, Oct. 29 as nearly 200 people gathered to celebrate the grand re-opening of Boothbay Region YMCA after months of construction on the main facility. As attendees entered the new entrance to the Y, an expansive lobby with a new look and new flooring greeted them. Off to the right is a larger corridor to the Field House, with WiFi, coffee and spaces to socialize. Off the lobby is a welcome center with comfortable seating. Located off the welcome center is a teaching kitchen and refurbished office spaces. On the left of the new front desk is the new multi-purpose studio for wellness classes and the Y-Arts program. And downstairs, the Wellness Center, with cardio, free weight and Cybex equipment, has been enlarged and refreshed.
The Building Exploratory Committee still has one crucial decision remaining in plans for a new school campus. On Oct. 26, the committee debated pros and cons of final plans for a $76 million school expansion project. The committee decided to include plans for a $3 million-plus auditorium with seating for 574.
Boothbay Region Development Corp. has another town supporting its initiative to create more affordable housing. On Oct. 31, Edgecomb selectmen agreed to join Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport in signing a letter of support. The BRDC wants municipal support in seeking grants for the public-private partnership. In her presentation, corporation Vice President Erin Cooperrider told selectmen the program has a $5.2 million financial goal with “40% coming from grants and 60% in donations.”
November
First National Bank (FNB) announced a $300,000 commitment to Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA). The donated funds will take the form of a $150,000 direct donation to MLA’s Save Maine Lobstermen campaign. And the bank will provide longer term support in the amount $150,000 to assist the industry in any way the Association sees fit.
As votes poured in from Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport, a proposal reaffirming adding fluoride to local drinking water won on Nov. 8. Voters in all three Boothbay Region Water District towns supported continuing adding fluoride to the drinking water, 1,975 to 1,637.
In the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day, Andy Page’s boat, F/V Sea Star, sank at the Boothbay Harbor town dock. Efforts to raise the boat were not able to happen until Friday morning. Bruce White of Sea Tow and many fellow fishermen worked through the morning placing airbags and eventually pumps to re-float the vessel. The boat was towed to Hodgdon Boatyard on Southport Island for repairs.
Southport Fire Department showcased its new engine in the 3rd annual Fire Truck Parade and Competition and took home the Dalmatian Cup and the People’s Choice Award Nov. 26.
After an extensive six-month search, the Boothbay Railway Village Museum Board of Directors are pleased to announce Paul Barcellos of Fairfield as the museum’s new executive director.
An inflation rate hovering close to 8% will likely have a big impact on the Community School District’s construction project. During the Nov. 28 Building Exploratory Committee meeting, school officials reported the estimated renovation and construction project had increased to $98 million which is up 22% from a previous estimate. But the overall price may come down as committee members continue to review the project for possible spending reductions.
December
Dozens of children and adults were excited to see Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and a handful of elves arrive at the Boothbay Harbor town dock on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 4 as they stepped off the excursion boat Novelty, which picked up the North Pole group. The Boothbay Lights event was delayed a day as rain fell on Saturday.
The Lincoln County HazMat team is no more. Emergency Management Agency Director Casey Stevens told county commissioners Dec. 6 the team was being discontinued. The team met twice per year for training sessions, but hadn’t responded to an incident in 3.5 years.
Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD officials are starting to grasp the new school construction and renovation costs. AOS 98 Superintendent Bob Kahler told the board of trustees Dec. 6, as the project moved from a conceptual vision to a design project, a more realistic cost estimate had moved from $80 million to $98 million.
Expanding the Route 27 Tax Increment Financing district by 155,000 square feet may help bring water and sewer to a proposed Boothbay affordable housing project. On Dec. 15, selectmen voted 3-0 to place two May town meeting warrant articles regarding Boothbay Region Development Corp.’s proposed housing project.
Edgecomb selectmen met with the budget committee and various municipal department heads and board members Dec. 12 to begin discussing the Fiscal Year 24 budget. Among topics likely to receive substantial discussion this budget season are appropriating money for Edgecomb’s 250th anniversary in 2024 and a future property revaluation.
In a Dec. 23 email, Edgecomb Selectman Dawn Murray gave public notification of her intent to resign effective Dec. 31. In the email to the media and municipal officials, she cited an ongoing legal battle with resident Timothy Harrington in her decision.
On Christmas morning, Lincoln County Communications Center received a 911 call in Edgecomb about a 3-year-old child who was not breathing. Rescue and deputies responded to the Route 1 home. The child was transported to Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta and was pronounced dead there. Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit was contacted, which is protocol in all child deaths in Maine. Detectives and evidence response technicians responded and worked late into the night and all day Monday. An autopsy was conducted at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta on Monday. Wednesday, Dec. 28, Maine Department of Public Safety identified the child as Makinzlee Handrahan of Edgecomb and announced her death had been ruled a homicide. The investigation continues.