I would like to talk about change. Change is hard for some. Change happens, fast and slow, but it always happens.

I was born in Boothbay Harbor 43 years ago. I now live in Boothbay. I have seen many things come and go, also lots of change happen. I have also been a business owner in town for 17 years. I have seen what happens to business owners in town after things close in October. It is a true struggle to keep the doors open and people employed, and we will hopefully continue to do so.

I like change. I also respect that some people don't like change. We have a great opportunity for change beginning with a beautiful entrance to Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor. I would like to state my opinion on the new roundabout that is proposed at the Boothbay Center. I am in favor of it for several reasons. The first reason being safety. I dislike driving through the common area at any time. It is dangerous. The proposed roundabout will slow traffic down, yet increase traffic flow by one third. I'm not one to argue with such well respected people as Dick Spofford, Robert Hasch, Nick Upham, Todd Brackett, Gerry Gamage and Robert Ham and their opinion on this. We will have sidewalks and bicycle paths from the schools and YMCA to Clifford Park. We will have a new parking lot at the Common and it will be safer for pedestrians. It will also eliminate stop signs on Corey Lane and therefore eliminate traffic lines backed up on the west side of the Common. All positive things without any tax increase whatsoever. The second important thing for me would be the beautification it will bring to the Common area. It would be more welcoming to visitors and hopefully make them want to come back. All I ask is that people stop and think about the positive things. Negativity breeds negativity and we have enough of that. I don't feel that anyone is right or wrong. I can respect the fact that everyone may have a different opinion. I think we could all “win” from this project!

Julie Hepburn Roberts

Boothbay