There will  be no temporary ice rink built on Boothbay Common or at any adjacent location this year. During a much anticipated Oct. 25 public meeting with the Boothbay Civic Association, selectmen and the local ice rink committee, it was announced the municipal rink would remain at the fire station.

When the agenda item came up, discussion was short.

“There is really nothing to talk about. The ice rink committee said they don’t want to move,” said BCA President Pam Wiley. The ice rink has been located at the fire station for 12 years. The committee, an independent group responsible for setting up and maintaining a rink, is one of several organizations that receive a financial contribution from the BCA.

During the Oct. 11 meeting, selectmen discussed community members’ proposal to create a lit, temporary ice rink on Boothbay Common as part of the Boothbay Festival of Lights. Community members hoped a more visible location would attract more visitors from Gardens Aglow and Boothbay Festival of Lights into the region’s shopping, restaurants and inns.

Two weeks ago, selectmen began preliminary discussions with BCA members and ice rink committee members. During the meeting, one committee member volunteered to paint a rink outline on the Common. Initially, the proposal also had support from local businessman Paul Coulombe. He had mentioned in a Boothbay Register article a willingness to participate in a community effort to construct a temporary Boothbay Common ice rink or build one on his property nearby. But Coulombe has apparently changed his mind. 

“He told us he’s not interested in doing anything at all,” Wiley told selectmen.

Coulombe didn’t attend the meeting.  In a subsequent email comment to the Boothbay Register, Coulombe states: “The idea of an ice skating rink in the common was appealing as it was a location that would have provided increased visibility and use in the town’s center however, I respect the decision of the BCA and Ice Rink Committee. I have no plans to construct a rink adjacent to the common.”

In the two weeks since selectmen began discussing a Boothbay Common ice rink, board members have heard from numerous residents about the proposal.

“This has really created a lot of talk in town. I’ve been hit from both sides,” said Selectman Steve Lewis.

In other action, selectmen approved removing a dying tree on the Boothbay Common. Project engineer Steve Sawyer reported changes in the roundabout project resulted in a tree slowly dying. The tree is now 18 inches higher than the root system.

“It’s just a matter of time before it dies. We can either remove it now or wait until spring, but we’d have to tear up paving to do that,” said Sawyer of Sebago Technics, a South Portland engineering firm.

Selectmen didn’t vote on approving the tree removal, but rather all four in attendance, Lewis, Dale Harmon, Kristina Ford and Michael Tomacelli, all gave verbal approval.

“I think the board is going to be ‘hung’ for this because we said no trees would be cut and the Common would be left alone. It’s turned out to be anything but the truth. The tree is going to die so I’d rather haul it out now than do it after there is a brand new sidewalk,” Harmon said.

Sawyer also reported the Route 27 Improvement Project was ahead of schedule and under budget. He also addressed concerns made by a Back River Road resident about the condition of Boothbay Common. Tim Utley had concerns that more trees would die if town officials continued letting vehicles drive and park on the Common. 

Utley described summer events like arts and crafts fairs and Farmers’ Markets as endangering Boothbay Common trees. Sawyer understood Utley’s concern and cautioned him and other residents to realize the construction project isn’t finished.

“We’ve got a few more months before it’s finished,” Sawyer said. “In time you will see how the plan is forming. We haven’t put in the sidewalk or curbs around the Common, which will address the problem you’re talking about.”

Selectmen are also proceeding with seeking applicants for a new landscaping committee. Selectmen want an advisory board of about 12 members to make recommendations for roundabout landscaping. 

The project has virtually no budget for landscaping, according to town officials. The town is seeking assistance from Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and Boothbay Region Garden Club to donate and care for landscaping. Selectmen want to appoint a committee by year’s end.

Selectmen tabled a permit for Dover Used Car Parts/Junkyard. Town Manager Dan Bryer reported the junkyard grounds – enclosed by a fence constructed out of old garage doors – are basically in the same condition they have been in for the past five years.

But Utley complained about the junkyard’s condition. “The least you can do is make them put up a fence and maintain it which would protect us from visually seeing it,” he said. Selectmen plan on driving by the Dover Road business prior to voting on permit approval in two weeks.

Selectmen approved a permit for  Deborah and Robert Barris III of Arrowhead Road to extend a pier on their property. The board voted 4-0 approving a six-foot by 150-foot extension of the current pile-supported pier. The couple will replace a float with two 10-foot by 20-foot floats oriented perpendicular to the shore. This will allow a Boston whaler to access the float at all times, according to the applicants. The Barrises will also add a four-foot by four-foot landing at the pier’s landward end, a kayak rack and storage box.

Selectmen will meet next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8 in the municipal building’s conference room.