Boothbay selectmen discussed creating two emergency exits out of East Boothbay on Sept. 10, but ultimately they decided to pursue only one. 

The selectmen are concerned traffic in and out of East Boothbay is too dependent on Route 96. They fear if a major accident, a natural disaster, or if the culvert burst, motorists would be delayed for hours and public safety vehicles couldn’t respond.

In July, the selectmen began proposing possible emergency route scenarios for East Boothbay. The topic arose during a discussion about discontinuing eight roads. Virginia Street is one of the roads being considered for discontinuance. The selectmen’s brainstorming session resulted in a proposal to connect Virginia Street to Mass Avenue.

On Sept. 10, Town Manager James Chaousis brought forth detailed recommendations for creating East Boothbay emergency exits. His proposal also called for using the Mass Avenue and Virginia Street route because the town possessed a legal right-of-way.

“In searching for an emergency egress for East Boothbay, the path of least resistance is definitely the Virginia Street and Mass Avenue route,” Chaousis said. “Plus, the town already owns a legitimate easement at the Virginia Street and Mass Avenue area to make the connection.”

Under his proposal, the town would “smooth out” the top of a hill at a nearby intersection and pave the section. The town would also apply “stamped traction” on the hill and replace a breakaway fence that prevents through traffic. This proposal would also remove Virginia Street from one of the roads being considered for discontinuance.

Chaousis also proposed reaching an agreement with the Boothbay Region Water District to maintain three easements it possesses with Murray Hill and Presley Drive residents to create as secondary emergency exit.  The town wanted to lightly maintain the public easement so a path could be created  as an alternative emergency route for emergency vehicle passage.

“I can tell by the way Jon (Ziegra, Boothbay Region Water District manager) is shaking the head that the town of Boothbay can’t have access to the easements,” Chaousis said. “But the town isn’t going to ask for permission faced with some grave emergency condition. The town is going to plow it out and create a path to get those vehicles over to East Boothbay.”

But town leaders decided against pursuing this option after water district officials told them they would resist all attempts made to use the easements.

“Our easements are for the landowners and our right-of-way. Their particular purpose is not for the town to put a road in,” Ziegra said.

After the meeting, Chaousis contacted water district trustees about his proposal. According to Chaousis, they all echoed Ziegra’s sentiments. The town will focus on reaching an agreement with Virginia Street and Mass Avenue residents to construct one emergency exit. Chaousis believed the exit could be constructed as early as next year.